Here’s a simple tip: virtually everyone agrees that seafood can be part of a healthy diet, including the World Health Organization and Health Canada.
Health Canada lists seafood as a “healthy protein” and encourages Canadians to make it part of their diet. Seafood is full of vital nutrients, including those omega-3s you keep reading about.
But what are they and why do so many nutrition experts want us to consume more?
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to our health and cannot be made within the body, so we have to get them through our diet from sources like seafood. They provide energy and help with many functions within the body. Plus, they may reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease by lowering triglycerides, reducing blood pressure and preventing blood clots.
Certain fish are especially good sources of DHA and EPA, two specific omega-3 fatty acids that are hard to find in other foods. These amazing fats play a role in brain function and development, and may reduce inflammation in the body.
You might be surprised at the variety of seafood species harvested in Canadian waters and farms. From salmon to scallops to sablefish, there’s something for every taste and every recipe available right here in Canada.
The Top 5 Canadian Seafood species are:
References
DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH. The Importance of Marine Omega-3s for Brain Development and the Prevention and Treatment of Behavior, Mood, and Other Brain Disorders. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 4;12(8):2333. doi: 10.3390/nu12082333. PMID: 32759851; PMCID: PMC7468918
Want to know more about Canadian Seafood nutrition? Use this section of the site as your jumping-off point to discover how much there is to love about eating seafood more often.
Choose Canadian Seafood is a joint initiative of:
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
Seafood Resources
Seafood Guide: Seafood - A Sustainable Superfood
Provincial & Regional Resources
Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association
PEI Aquaculture Farmers of the Sea
Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association
Ontario Aquaculture Association
BC Shellfish Growers Association
Canadian Association of Prawn Producers
Canadian Committee for a Sustainable Eel Fishery Inc.
Northern Coalition Corporation