When your child comes home from school and talks to you about the "Food Pyramid", you are hearing about some very new theories. The USDA gives us an overview of the food groups from which we should be deriving our nutrition. But, some very good research has shown that several groups have food components that, although they share a category, they each may have very specific nutritients that they do not share with the other foods.
One food item that sometimes gets hidden behind the meat or protein segment of the Food Pyramid is fish. We now know that fish was not added to the meat segment of the pyramid as an alternative to meat or poultry, but rather fish plays a very important part of a well-rounded, nutritionally balanced diet.
You may be thinking that protein is protein is protein. What's the difference whether I get my protein from meat, chicken, or fish? What does fish offer that the other proteins do not? Is it going to affect my health if I just eat meat and poultry as my protein source?
If you are living on a diet that includes meat and poultry as your only source of protein, you are missing out on the fatty acids, or "good fat", that you need for a healthy heart. By including fish as one of your proteins, you will be adding an essential nutrition that you can't find in a diet that consists of only meat and poultry.
Technically speaking, MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are essential for your health, and you cannot create these elements in your body from other fats that you eat. We've all heard of the "omega-3 fatty acids", which is believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon, trout, and herring are said to have a high level of this healthy fatty acid.
Introducing your family to fish may be a challenge, but not one that you can't meet. If you live in a part of the world where fish is plentiful, you can choose between a vast array of fish. Most grocery stores will carry some variety of frozen fish, so even if you are unable to get fresh fish, you can watch your store's sales and buy up packets of fish as it becomes available. Fill your freezer and then start looking at recipes.
You may want to start with some old-time favorites like Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole. A simple Pan Fried Fish may be just the meal for a family game or movie night. Sunday dinner would be a good time for a big Oven Fish Dinner. Of course, my all time favorite is the classic and simple Fish Chowder. I would try out some fancy Salmon Patties at the ladies' luncheon, or even when my mother-in-law comes for dinner.
Start serving fish each week by trying a few simple recipes and you may discover that you and your family enjoy having a little more variety at meal time. Make notes about which types of dishes your family enjoyed, and which ones were not so much of a hit, and soon you'll be collecting your very own favorite fish recipes.
One food item that sometimes gets hidden behind the meat or protein segment of the Food Pyramid is fish. We now know that fish was not added to the meat segment of the pyramid as an alternative to meat or poultry, but rather fish plays a very important part of a well-rounded, nutritionally balanced diet.
You may be thinking that protein is protein is protein. What's the difference whether I get my protein from meat, chicken, or fish? What does fish offer that the other proteins do not? Is it going to affect my health if I just eat meat and poultry as my protein source?
If you are living on a diet that includes meat and poultry as your only source of protein, you are missing out on the fatty acids, or "good fat", that you need for a healthy heart. By including fish as one of your proteins, you will be adding an essential nutrition that you can't find in a diet that consists of only meat and poultry.
Technically speaking, MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are essential for your health, and you cannot create these elements in your body from other fats that you eat. We've all heard of the "omega-3 fatty acids", which is believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon, trout, and herring are said to have a high level of this healthy fatty acid.
Introducing your family to fish may be a challenge, but not one that you can't meet. If you live in a part of the world where fish is plentiful, you can choose between a vast array of fish. Most grocery stores will carry some variety of frozen fish, so even if you are unable to get fresh fish, you can watch your store's sales and buy up packets of fish as it becomes available. Fill your freezer and then start looking at recipes.
You may want to start with some old-time favorites like Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole. A simple Pan Fried Fish may be just the meal for a family game or movie night. Sunday dinner would be a good time for a big Oven Fish Dinner. Of course, my all time favorite is the classic and simple Fish Chowder. I would try out some fancy Salmon Patties at the ladies' luncheon, or even when my mother-in-law comes for dinner.
Start serving fish each week by trying a few simple recipes and you may discover that you and your family enjoy having a little more variety at meal time. Make notes about which types of dishes your family enjoyed, and which ones were not so much of a hit, and soon you'll be collecting your very own favorite fish recipes.
About the Author:
Oven baked tuna casseroles should be a mainstay in every family. The importance of including fish in our diets has been well documented. Dishes like a Tuna and Cheese Strata or a beautiful and delicious Tuna Layer Pie are the perfect go-to tuna meals for any family.
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