Are you low in calories and looking for a way to supplement it? Or are you looking for a source of animal protein in your diet, and you just can’t seem to get your head around it? Why not try seafoods? It’s sure a great idea that you can put to use in your next meal.
Seafoods are major sources of nutrients that are of great value and nourishment to the human body.
Recent research from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that Americans of all ages should ingest more seafoods at least twice a week, most especially for young children and pregnant women. Generally, seafood is for everyone.Â
Seafood is any form of sea life that is regarded as food by people, most especially fish and shellfish, which are consumed at an extremely high rate. With this in mind, in this article, we will be taking a look at everything that you need to know about seafoods. Kindly read through till the end.
What are Seafoods?
Seafoods are edible aquatic animals (excluding mammals) that are abundantly rich in nutritional compounds such as proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6, which are termed as healthy fats), iodine, vitamin D, and so much more. Hence they often serve as food for humans. Intriguing, even aquatic animals with toxic elements can still be prepared in such a manner to prevent harm from happening to whoever consumes it.
Types of Seafoods
Seafoods encompass bony fishes such as primitive sharks, lampreys, sturgeons, rays, and Sawfish; Molluscs such as clams, mussels, periwinkles, snails, cockles, oysters, scallops, abalones, and limpets; crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns, and crayfish; cephalopod mollusks such as squids and octopuses. Other varieties include edible jellyfish, sea turtle frogs, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.
The ocean fish are not left out as they are commercially significant and consumed at a high rate. They include salmon, herring, codfish, flatfish, redfish, mackerel, tuna, sardine, trout, catfish, and more.
Even in some parts of Asia, the seaweeds and algae are not left to waste as it is being exploited as food in the form of veggies.Â
The Health Benefits of Seafoods to Humans
A sea is a form of blessing to mankind as the major aquatic animals got from it are of one beneficial significance or the other to human health.
In this section, we have highlighted the health benefits of Seafoods to humans; they are:
- Since fish is a lean source of protein, it helps in weight control and also reduces the risk of being overweight.
- Seafoods are rich in nutrients such as Vitamin B, B complex Vitamins, Vitamin A, Omega 3, and more which are required by the body to remain healthy.
- Seafoods enhances brain development, particularly in infants and children. Also, it improves the cognitive function of aging women
- Seafoods helps to reduce the risk of having Alzheimer’s disease.
- Due to the fact that seafoods are high in protein and low in saturated fats, it is the best fit for human heart health as it helps reduce the risk of having a cardiovascular disease.
- According to research, eating seafoods are very helpful in easing aching and stiffness in the joints.
- Due to the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids in Seafoods, eating it regularly can help maintain your eyesight and reduce the possibility of an eye vision decline.
- Eating seafood can help to improve the skin by moisturizing it. Also, it helps in the reduction of acne, as well as protects the skin from UV rays.
- New research on Omega 3 fatty acid, which is found in abundance in seafoods has proven to reduce depression. So if you are feeling depressed today, visit a seafood restaurant today and give yourself a treat. You might just be doing yourself a whole lot of good.
Where can the best Seafoods be found?
In this section, we have compiled a few destinations around the world where the best seafoods can be found. They are:
- Cornwall
- West Sweden
- Nova Scotia
- Norfolk
- Mozambique
- The Peloponesse
- Sussex
Cornwall
Cornwall is home to all kinds of seafood such as fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters, mussels, and more. Little wonder Cornwall takes pride in being filled with tourists, as well as local visitors year in, year out. This is all thanks to the ample array of high-quality, and locally made kinds of seafood which is often accompanied by locally produced drinks.
West SwedenÂ
Bohuslan coast in West Sweden is prominent for its richness in seafoods such as oysters, mussels, lobsters, crabs, and prawns. The exceptionally cold and clean waters are not the only scenery attracting visitors to the coast, but the many delicacies that they will get to enjoy when they indulge in the Shellfish Journey of learning how to catch and cook them on a unique seafood safari. This awesome experience takes place all throughout the year.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a country termed the king of seafood owing to its abundance of lobsters. Nova Scotia is the top largest exporter of lobsters in the world and still has more than enough to go around in the region. No wonder every nook and cranny of the province can boast of a restaurant with a lobster attached to its name.Â
Despite the fact that there are lobsters available in any Nova Scotian restaurant menu every time of the year, the best time that we recommend that you take a visit to Scotia is between May to July as there are dedicated Crustacean festivals at Shelburne, Digby, and Pictou. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun and excitement here.Â
Norfolk
A not-so-small town in Norfolk, UK called Cromer is prominent for its abundance of crabs. Even though the Cromer crabs might look small, they are generally known to be tasty and delicious owing to their plump sweet meat.
Here the crab season commences in March and ends in Autumn. This is preferably a good time to visit Norfolk and partake in the Annual Crab and Lobster festival, which is nothing short of fun.
Mozambique
It is not only the beautiful coastline of Mozambique that attracts tourists to the Indian Ocean but also the tasty seafood dishes that the country has to offer them. Mozambique is known for its abundance of big-sized prawns that are tremendous in its long coastline and fishing line.
The Peloponesse
The Peloponesse is rich in the presence of Octopus, and as such, has become a staple food for the greeks. Although, there are other seafoods available in this region, such as cuttlefish, squid, sardines, mussels, swordfish, red mullet, sea bass, and more. However, people tend to opt more for octopus.
This is because the Greeks love to use octopus in their pasta, and stew using just olive oil and vinegar. Meanwhile, in restaurants, octopus is usually grilled or boiled, and then served hot with oil and Vinegar.
Sussex
Sussex is a British Royal Coastal town of Rye that is popular for its Scallops. The town has a famous history of defending the British Coastline and also provided trading routes inland. Asides from this history, it is now even more famous for its Rye Bay Scallop week, which is held every last week of February and lasts for a month. This festival brings about the scallop season, where thousands of them are sold from food trucks, pubs, restaurants, and market stalls at an affordable rate.
Conclusion
Seafoods remains one of nature’s best gifts to mankind and this is why we must not take it for granted. As mentioned in the article, it has lots of health benefits that humans can enjoy if taken in the right proportion. Bear in mind that, taking too much of everything is bad, so we recommend that you eat them in moderation.
Note that women and men of all ages, including children and pregnant women, can all eat Seafood.
So do well to prepare a sea meal today, and if you can’t make one for yourself, ensure that you find a seafood restaurant near you and enjoy your meal.
