Salmon has been my favorite go to special meal for as long as I can remember. When I would get to go out to a nice dinner, everyone would order a steak, and I would order salmon. I have always loved it. Being the lucky girl I am, I have access to some of the best salmon in the world, which I try to eat 4-5 times a week. It is still special every time I eat it. I ate a ton of it while I was pregnant with Sydney, and I am convinced that is why she loves it just as much as I do. Of course Abby HATES it, actually she hates all seafood. So every Thursday she goes to school all day and Sydney and I can enjoy our salmon in peace!!
Here was our lunch date yesterday!
Salmon's health benefits range from strengthening your muscles and heart to reducing your chances of developing some diseases. Studies have shown that consumption of the fatty acid rich salmon can help you live longer and be healthier while you do it.
Muscle and Tissue Benefits The protein in salmon is easy for people to digest and absorb into their bodies. Salmon does not have cancer causing substances in it that some other protein sources do. Proteins which are also referred to as amino acids and are vital to the health of your entire body. Salmon’s main health benefit is that it is an excellent good fat or Omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon contains vitamins A, B and D as well as the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus and selenium.
Heart Health The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon will help lower your cholesterol. Usually the first thing doctors recommend after a heart attack is to lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides levels. While salmon is lowering you bad cholesterol it is also raising your good cholestero l(HDL). Salmon can also help repair heart damage and strengthen the heart muscles. Salmon also helps lower your blood pressure and even prevent hardening of your arteries which will lessen your chances of having a heart attack.
Brain and Nerve Benefits Omega-3 fatty acids help your brain work better and improve your memory. In conjunction with Vitamins A and D, amino acids and selenium also protect your nervous system from the deteriorating effects of aging. This makes salmon work as a natural anti aging compound and an anti depressant. The consumption of salmon has been shown to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases. Omega-3 acids also help prevent blood clots which can lessen your chances of having strokes.
Other Benefits The health benefits of eating salmon also include speeding up your metabolism. This facilitates your sugar absorption rate and can lower your blood sugar level, which in turn lowers your risk of developing diabetes. The Omega-3 acids and amino acids help prevent macular degeneration, which is an age-related condition that affects older people that can result in vision damage and loss. If you want shiny hair, bright eyes and healthy skin, eat your salmon! Credit those Omega-3 fatty acids and selenium in the salmon for that. Four ounces of wild salmon gives you a full day’s required amount of Vitamin D. that same amount of salmon also gives you more than half of the B12, niacin and selenium that you need daily. In addition, it gives you almost thirty grams of protein. That is more than half of the Food and Drug Administration’s recommended daily amount. The health benefits in salmon are far too great to ignore. It is power packed with disease fighting acids, minerals and vitamins. So whether you bake it, broil it, grill it or eat it raw salmon is a powerful addition to your healthy lifestyle. Salmon is sold in many different forms.
Fresh salmon is available whole or in steak or fillet form. Salmon is also available frozen, canned, dried or smoked. Based on a combination of sustainability and potential contamination concerns, wild-caught Alaskan salmon is preferred. If you cannot find wild-caught Alaskan salmon in your local grocery in fresh or frozen form, select wild-caught Alaskan salmon in canned form as a next best alternative. Make sure the salmon is you are purchasing is fresh, kept on ice and is bright in color. There are hundreds of ways to prepare it. I season mine with salt and pepper and throw it in a dry non stick pan. The fat melts as it warms up and it serves as the oil in the bottom of the pan. Here is a great website that provides 100 light and healthy salmon recipes! http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/cooking-with-salmon-00412000080204/
Get your Omegas!!!
Until next time...xo, mrschef
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