September feels like if summer was a person slowly walking away, stopping to turn and gaze at us, taking one last dramatic pause before going on their way. And in its wake is a bounty of glorious produce — with which to craft delicious menus and meals that will serve to truly optimize us for the seasons ahead.
And as we slide into fall, it’s nice to remember that wild-caught seafood can play a significant role in supporting our immune health. So, as you come up with your own summer/fall cusp meals featuring wild-caught seafood, you can enjoy knowing that those meals are being served up with some incredible health benefits, such as:
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties — Fish-based omega-3s like EPA and DHA are uniquely prized for their coveted anti-inflammatory properties. Evidence supports that EPA and DHA can help aid rheumatoid arthritis, while other studies hint at the potential use of these fish-based omega-3 fatty acids in treating lupus, cystic fibrosis, allergies, psoriasis, neurodegenerative conditions, and multiple sclerosis, as well as asthma in children and adolescents. EPA and DHA during pregnancy also may help develop strong immune systems in infants and children.
- Fights Depression — Researchers have begun to draw important connections between the types of omega-3 fatty acids found in wild-caught fish and mental health — specifically, how omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA may help people manage symptoms of clinical depression. You can read more about it in this blog post.
- Better Sleep — Who knew the seas might assist in getting you some zzz’s! There has been a lot of scientific research in recent years investigating the connection between fatty acids and sleep, and you can expect to hear a lot more about this topic as more clinical trials and studies are conducted as a part of this growing body of research. Here’s what we know so far.
- Improved Heart Health — Eating seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least once or twice each week is tied to a reduction of heart failure, stroke, and cardiac related death — which means that one way we can all protect our hearts is by getting our diets in order. Omega-3 fatty acids help our bodies fend off some of the major preventable risk factors behind heart disease.
- Weight Loss/Management — If you’re looking to replace empty calories with high-quality, efficient sources of nutrition, wild-caught seafood is a no-brainer. For example, a four-ounce serving of wild coho salmon weighs in at only 158 calories and is packed with over 26 grams of protein, fulfilling approximately half the recommended daily intake of protein for an average, sedentary adult.
All of the above, plus how delicious and dynamic wild-caught seafood is, means we can all regularly enjoy that sweet spot of healthy, nutritious and delicious.
Live wild...and stay strong!
Monica
Pictured Above: Seared sockeye on a bed of citrusy arugula, flanked by roasted beets and panko-crusted goat-cheese nugs — an eat-the-rainbow situation on a summer-to-fall evening.
