While lots of people still insist that they can't stand fish, seafood is the new "in" food right now, and lots of families are adding more fish to their grocery carts. While there are lots of benefits to adding fish to your diet, not all fish are created equal. Seafood can be very complicated, but this guide should make things simple.
There are lots of different kinds of fish - from farm-raised to wild-caught and even smaller distinctions - so we've simply picked 6 your should avoid, and listed some healthy replacements.
1. Tilapia
This is becoming one of the most popular kinds of fish in America, both because it's cheap and it's featured in lots of packaged fish products. Unfortunately, it's one of the few fish species that doesn't contain healthy Omega-3 oils.
In fact, the Omega-6 oils in tilapia are bad for your heart, and can make your inflammation worse.
Instead try: Alaskan Salmon has all the health benefits you're missing from tilapia.
2. King Mackerel
According to the EPA, this fish has some of the highest levels of mercury, which can affect your brain. In fact, the agency recommends that women and children avoid eating this fish entirely.
Instead try: Atlantic Mackerel, which has a higher salt content than King Mackerel but a much safer mercury level.
3. Mahi Mahi
If you've ever stayed at a Caribbean hotel, you've probably seen this fish at the buffet. Beware: certain dangerous bacterias love this fish, and it can give you food poisoning even if it doesn't smell "off."
Instead try: Pacific Sardines. These tasty fish are full of nutrients like Vitamin D and even Calcium.
Click the next page for 3 more fish you should avoid, including a popular variety of tuna!
4. Orange Roughy
While these fish have high mercury levels, that's not the only reason to keep them off your dinner table. The Orange Roughy can survive up to 100 years in the wild, and reproduce very slowly. Because of this, they're at risk of being over-fished, and fishermen often catch other vulnerable species while looking for Roughy.
Instead try: Rainbow Trout, which is full of protein and available from lots of responsible farm sources, so you can enjoy it without feeling guilty!
5. Chilean Sea Bass
This tasty fish hides some dangerous health effects behind its exotic name. It's not safe for more people to eat it more than twice a month because the mercury content is so high.
Instead try: Black Cod has such low mercury levels that doctors actually recommend eating it as often as twice a week. It's also great for your heart.
6. Escolar (White Tuna)
White tuna is well-known for being very tasty. The buttery flavor comes from fatty proteins inside, but they also have a nasty side effect. This fish can give you keriorrhea, a nasty version of diarrhea.
Instead try: Albacore Tuna - especially from the US or British Columbia - is the safest and healthiest kind of tuna.
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