Every child in school has been learning a brand new USDA "Food Pyramid". The research that goes into finding out how best to feed our bodies is used to change our notions about nutrition. We know more now than we ever did before about the different categories of food and how, within each category, there are foods that offer specific nutritional qualities separate and distinct from the other foods in the very same category.
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.
Is the protein food group different somehow from all the other food groups? Isn't protein from meat and poultry the same as protein from fish? What if I don't eat fish, will I be missing some kind of nutrient that isn't in meat or poultry? Unlike meat and poultry, fish gives us the all important heart-healthy "good fats". This alone is reason enough to include fish as a part of your regular diet. Without varying your protein choices beyond meat and poultry everyday, you are not including those essential fats in your diet.
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. How can you easily introduce your family to fish? Depending on the region you live in, you will have several types of fish from which to choose. Every time I spot a sale on fish, any kind of fish, I grab it and then start looking around for a recipe. That way, I'm guaranteed to serve fish for dinner at least once or twice a week. You can start as simply as making some Pan Fried Fish, or going all out with a more complete Oven Fish Dinner.
One of my favorites is a classic Fish Chowder. Don't forget the very versatile tuna. Making a Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole may be a good first try, but I'd move on to something more interesting like Tuna Cheese Puffs just to keep the family from getting tired of the same kinds of dishes.
Don't forget to give Salmon Patties a try, too, as they are a real treat and may even become your family's Sunday dinner favorite. 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. Fish fills a nutritional need that you don't get with other foods. Serving your family fish in simple ways like an oven baked Fish Fillet Casserole with Bacon or a Fish Fillet Spinach Layer Casserole will satisfy your family's appetite and ensure a balanced diet.
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.
Is the protein food group different somehow from all the other food groups? Isn't protein from meat and poultry the same as protein from fish? What if I don't eat fish, will I be missing some kind of nutrient that isn't in meat or poultry? Unlike meat and poultry, fish gives us the all important heart-healthy "good fats". This alone is reason enough to include fish as a part of your regular diet. Without varying your protein choices beyond meat and poultry everyday, you are not including those essential fats in your diet.
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. How can you easily introduce your family to fish? Depending on the region you live in, you will have several types of fish from which to choose. Every time I spot a sale on fish, any kind of fish, I grab it and then start looking around for a recipe. That way, I'm guaranteed to serve fish for dinner at least once or twice a week. You can start as simply as making some Pan Fried Fish, or going all out with a more complete Oven Fish Dinner.
One of my favorites is a classic Fish Chowder. Don't forget the very versatile tuna. Making a Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole may be a good first try, but I'd move on to something more interesting like Tuna Cheese Puffs just to keep the family from getting tired of the same kinds of dishes.
Don't forget to give Salmon Patties a try, too, as they are a real treat and may even become your family's Sunday dinner favorite. 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. Fish fills a nutritional need that you don't get with other foods. Serving your family fish in simple ways like an oven baked Fish Fillet Casserole with Bacon or a Fish Fillet Spinach Layer Casserole will satisfy your family's appetite and ensure a balanced diet.
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