Seafood has long been known as a healthy food choice, but did you know that seafood is also a healthy takeout choice? As school is back in session, busy parents do not have to settle on drive through restaurants to order the same old hamburger meal that is loaded with preservatives and other added substances. Instead, parents can place an order at their favorite seafood restaurant and know they are providing a fast but healthier takeout option for their family.
The Potential Health Benefits of Eating Seafood
For years, doctors and dietitians alike have touted the health benefits of consuming seafood at least a couple of times a week. This is due in large part to the high number of nutrients it contains that benefits our overall health, including the brain, heart, and immune system. Some of these nutrients include:
- While most of us primarily think of antioxidants being found in fruits and vegetables, some seafood such as shrimp and salmon also contain them.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These are healthy fats that are good for the brain and heart. While most seafood contains these essential fatty acids, fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, halibut, trout, and sardines may contain even higher levels. It is important to eat a variety of different fish and seafood as some may have a higher omega-3 fatty acid content than others. Some health studies have shown eating a diet with omega-3s is helpful in reducing the incidence of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
- Most health articles will tout the importance of including sufficient protein into your daily diet. Not only can protein be good for helping us to remain full and satisfied, it also can have added benefits for building and repairing muscles. Compared to other meats, seafood often has a higher protein count for even small servings.
- Vitamins B6 and B12. These vitamins are thought to aid in brain health as well as energy production. Seafood can be high in one or both of these vitamins.
- Vitamin D. While human beings can get Vitamin D from the sun’s rays, it is becoming increasingly difficult as many of us spend much of our time inside each day. Fortunately, seafood can be an excellent source of this nutrient.
- When it comes to our immune systems, zinc is a key player. It is known to help combat infections and help the body heal.
School-age children often have jam packed schedules that involve going from school to band practice to a sports game with hardly any breaks in between. Particularly when their immune systems are run down from being so busy, ensuring the vitamins and nutrients found in seafood are a part of their diet may help. The best part is that parents don’t have to cook seafood at home to make this happen. They can order takeout from an established restaurant such as 7Spice Cajun Seafood and feed the whole family a nutritiously delicious meal.
What Are the Benefits of Relying on Seafood as a Healthy Takeout Choice?
With an increasing number of parents working one or two jobs, cooking something healthy each night can be a challenge. Feeling defeated before we begin can all too often make us revert back to tried and true fast-food options like drive throughs.
Fortunately, parents can order seafood for takeout too. Whether they place the order before heading home from work or they order in the restaurant, it doesn’t have to require copious amounts of time and energy to put a good meal on the table for the family.
Seven benefits of choosing seafood as a healthy takeout option include:
- Brain Health. Omega-3 fatty acids are a structural element of the brain that can assist with cognitive function.
- Eye Health. Consuming seafood may assist in limiting the risk of developing macular degeneration, a condition which impairs a person’s vision.
- Heart Health. Omega-3 fatty acids are not just for brain health. Consumption of seafood is also thought to decrease the risk for stroke and heart attack by lowering triglycerides and improving vascular function.
- Immune Health. Seafood contains critical vitamins and nutrients that help give our immune systems a boost.
- Joint Health. In addition to being good for the heart and brain, Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to decrease discomfort due to arthritis and improve joint flexibility.
- Sleep Health. By consuming sufficient vitamin D from seafood, it may be helpful in leading to a better night’s rest.
- Weight Health. The one thing seafood is missing from its meaty counterparts is a high saturated fat content. This is a significant benefit as a diet rich in seafood may contribute to better overall weight control.
Tips for Ordering Healthy Seafood Takeout
Knowing that seafood can be a healthy takeout option is the first part of putting that type of dinner on the table. The second part is to order items that support your health mission.
For example, while seafood does contain beneficial vitamins and nutrients, when it is fried it can significantly increase the saturated fat levels, which are not as healthy. Taking this into consideration, many families choose to order boiled seafood items rather than fried.
The same can go for sides. Instead of choosing French fries or hush puppies, consider choosing a salad, coleslaw, red potatoes, or corn instead.
Seafood as a fresh, healthy takeout choice, so parents can feel good about providing their families with nutrient and vitamin fortified foods to assist with maintaining a healthy diet. Better yet, instead of spending hours in the kitchen preparing a delicious Cajun seafood meal, parents can relax and enjoy their time with family, staying in tune with what is happening in their children’s lives and focusing on what matters most.