Seafood and nutrition

Fishing around for new ways to transform your family’s health? Look to the sea. In our April issue, Dr Rosemary Stanton offers her top health-boosting catch along with surprising facts that’ll have you hooked.

prawns

Prawns score for protein, calcium, iodine, vitamin E and selenium. Plus It’s a myth that eating prawns raises your blood cholesterol. This usually only happens if your diet contains saturated fat – prawns have virtually none.

oysters

One of the richest known sources of zinc, which aids healthy immune function, oysters are also a top source of iodine. A dozen provides more than a day’s requirements. Plus Oysters have more iron than beef.

white fish

White fish has at least as much protein as meat but much less fat. Good choices include King George whiting, flathead and snapper. Plus It’s official – all Australian fish species have now been analysed and every variety has enough omega-3s to be a “good source”.

pink fish

Close to the top of the seafood class for omega-3s, salmon and ocean trout also supply niacin (vitamin B3). Tip Don’t skip the soft bones in canned salmon – just 100g of canned salmon has as much calcium as a glass of milk.
For more from this story, turn to p 124 of our April 2012 issue.