If you have school age children in the house, you've probably been introduced to the new and improved "Food Pyramid" courtesy of the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). A great deal of research goes into developing the basis for a balanced diet, what we need to eat and why we need a variety of nutritious foods.
A food group that gets a lot of attention is the protein category. We all know about meat and poultry, but we often forget that fish is in there, too. Fish is not intended as an alternative to eating meat or poultry, but as a necessary element in a nutritionally sound diet.
You may be thinking that protein is protein is protein. What's the difference whether I get my protein from meat, chicken, or fish? What does fish offer that the other proteins do not? Is it going to affect my health if I just eat meat and poultry as my protein source?
Here's where we get into trouble with our diet. If we are eating only meat and poultry as our source of protein, we are missing out on those very important "good fats" that are essential for heart health. A diet of meat and poultry alone will not provide the necessary heart-healthy fatty acids that you need.
These "good fats" are monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs. They are not created in your body by ingesting other fats, but must come from a source which contains these particular fatty acids, a source like fish. Another heart-healthy good fat that you've probably heard of is the "omega 3 fatty acids". Studies show that this fatty acid reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon, trout, and herring are good sources for this healthy fat.
If you have not served your family a lot of fish in the past, it's never too late to start. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find either fresh or frozen readily available in your grocery store. Watch the sales and fill your grocery cart with a variety of fish. Then, look through some recipes and pick a few simple ones to try.
Start simple with a great Pan Fried Fish, oven baked potato wedges, and coleslaw. Cook up a big batch of Fish Chowder for a nice, quiet Sunday evening dinner. When it's a day for yard chores, your family will be amazed when they come in and sit down to your Oven Fish Dinner. Don't forget the classic Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole for a school night. Then create something totally different with Tuna Cheese Puffs that will delight even the littlest ones.
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.
A food group that gets a lot of attention is the protein category. We all know about meat and poultry, but we often forget that fish is in there, too. Fish is not intended as an alternative to eating meat or poultry, but as a necessary element in a nutritionally sound diet.
You may be thinking that protein is protein is protein. What's the difference whether I get my protein from meat, chicken, or fish? What does fish offer that the other proteins do not? Is it going to affect my health if I just eat meat and poultry as my protein source?
Here's where we get into trouble with our diet. If we are eating only meat and poultry as our source of protein, we are missing out on those very important "good fats" that are essential for heart health. A diet of meat and poultry alone will not provide the necessary heart-healthy fatty acids that you need.
These "good fats" are monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs. They are not created in your body by ingesting other fats, but must come from a source which contains these particular fatty acids, a source like fish. Another heart-healthy good fat that you've probably heard of is the "omega 3 fatty acids". Studies show that this fatty acid reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon, trout, and herring are good sources for this healthy fat.
If you have not served your family a lot of fish in the past, it's never too late to start. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find either fresh or frozen readily available in your grocery store. Watch the sales and fill your grocery cart with a variety of fish. Then, look through some recipes and pick a few simple ones to try.
Start simple with a great Pan Fried Fish, oven baked potato wedges, and coleslaw. Cook up a big batch of Fish Chowder for a nice, quiet Sunday evening dinner. When it's a day for yard chores, your family will be amazed when they come in and sit down to your Oven Fish Dinner. Don't forget the classic Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole for a school night. Then create something totally different with Tuna Cheese Puffs that will delight even the littlest ones.
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.
About the Author:
Convenience food is nutritious when you control the ingredients. Whip up a couple batches of Ready Set Go Tuna Mix and you'll be ready to get supper on the table in a flash. Just add cheese to create a Magic Tuna and Cheese Casserole that your family will gobble up!
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