Nutrition

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.

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Teriyaki Salmon Poke Bowl with Chopsticks - Isolated

Get to know Omega-3 fatty acids

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.

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Top 5 Species

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:

Wild-caught

Scallops

Hake

Herring

Queen Crab

Shrimp

Farmed

Salmon

Mussels

Oysters

Trout

Clams

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

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