We are always told we need to have a varied and balanced diet, but the reality of actually putting this into practice is where things get difficult. For some of us, we simply work too many hours to be able to come home, and then find the time to cook a big or healthy meal. This doesn’t make us lazy, just busy. For others it may be a budget issue, eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive but for some of us, it still can be difficult. Especially when there are cheaper, quicker and sadly far unhealthier options available. Fresh fish & seafood often gets overlooked by a lot of people, particularly young people, many of us just don’t understand what is healthy and may not have the confidence or knowledge to start a healthy diet plan. One way to help is to buy seafood hampers on a monthly basis thereby helping consumers to have that choice available in the fridge or freezer. More info here http://aoseafood.co.uk/order/fish-boxes/
Food that’s Healthy & Easy to Prepare
Luckily there are some foods out there that are so healthy and easy to prepare that it feels like we’re cheating, the most obvious among these is seafood, particularly fish itself. We have eaten fish for thousands of years because of all the many health benefits it offers and the near infinite amount of recipes that can be prepared. Fish contains full of important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that is hugely beneficial to our health. It also contains a fair amount of protein and vitamin D that are also essential to our daily lives. The best news, however, is that nearly all fish is good for you regardless how you prepare it.
Fish Contain Nutrients to Help Growth
These health benefits are numerous and touching upon them all would be too large a task for one article. However, some are far too important not to mention. For starters, fish contains nutrients that aid growth and development in different ways. For children this means fish can help them develop and grow up fit and active, the minerals in fish also help young peoples minds develop helping them in education and in all other areas of life.
A Good Alternative to Red Meat
The protein content in fish, where slightly less than in other forms of meat, can be essential to the development of muscles for those eating a high protein diet. Due to all the goodness in fish, bodybuilders use it to supplement their diets and to make sure they are not eating too much of other meats (like red meat) which can be unhealthy when eaten too frequently. Fish offers the perfect alternative. Many vegetarians make an exception for fish due to its health benefits and the absence of controversy regarding how it is sourced. For them fish is even more important due to the absence of protein in their diets, fish allows them to consume what they need to while maintaining their diets, health and principles.
Omega-3 in Fish
The omega-3 in fish is also important for the development of our brains and our eyesight meaning those who eat plenty of it are less likely to develop certain forms of dementia or loss of sight in later life. As many of us are living longer lives, cognitive deterioration is sadly becoming more common and affecting more families than ever before. Medical research has shown that eating fish helps to slow this decline and can allow us more precious moments with our loved ones by staving off such illnesses. This isn’t the only way that eating fish can help our brains.
An Aid to Helping Combat Clinical Depression
It is also medically proven that eating fish can also help treat clinical depression and other similar mental illnesses. It can even cause help with those who suffer from mild anxiety and low mood. The statistics that show the number of people in the UK being treated for depression are staggering, and the number is increasing. As our lives become more hectic one worry is that stress-reducing drugs may start to lose their potency. This means it’s more important than ever that our diets are correct and that we are actively eating food that reduces the risks of developing these disorders. Even sleeping disorders like insomnia can be improved by consuming more fish; this may be due to the vitamin D lots of fish contains which has properties associated with restful sleep (or contributing to releasing hormones that do this). Eating more fish is one strategy to help keep our brains healthy. Omega-3 literally is brain food and is one of the best things any of us can have to keep and brains and bodies in good shape.
Helps Prevent Strokes, Heart Attacks & Diabetes
The vitamin D in fish also contributes to preventing strokes, heart attacks and the onset of diabetes. The former two are what causes most people to die when that day comes so protection from these can help us lead longer more active lives. Even asthma and thyroid-related disorders can be treated and kept at bay from a diet with lots of omega-3 and vitamin D. The only caution to be mentioned when consuming a high fish diet is to be wary of consuming too much fish that contains mercury. Too much of this can cause health concerns, but luckily this is only when eaten in very high quantities. Other than this there are simply no downsides to eating fish.
Fish is Easy to buy and Beneficial
Fish is one of the best foods a person can have in their diet and should be eaten at least twice a week ideally for all the benefits it provides our bodies and minds. Not only is it easy to prepare but fish is affordable and easy to obtain. Nearly every supermarket in the UK has a well-stocked fish counter where an entire weeks worth of meals can be bought. There are so many different types of fish that these meals never need to feel similar or repetitive. Ultimately the biggest benefit to eating fish is it’s delicious! It’s one of the most popular and widely consumed foods in the world, and it doesn’t look like this is going to change for a very long time.