09/24
Ingredient Spotlight: Salmon
Mediterranean food is all about the culture and cuisine of the people who live by the Mediterranean sea. Alongside freshly pressed olive oil and whole grains milled into flour, the people of this area also often took their meals from the sea.
Although there are many wonderful fish in the ocean, today’s spotlight will feature a delicious fatty fish: the Salmon.
Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
When people refer to a fish as a fatty fish, it means that the fish is packed with an amazing, healthy fat called Omega-3 Fatty Acids. This type of fat is good for your skin, your heart and your brain. Many people don’t get enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids in their diet, so eating a little salmon every now and then is especially good for them.
Rich in Selenium, Phosphorus, and B vitamins
Although Omega-3 Fatty Acids alone make Salmon worth eating, Salmon also contains a whole host of other nutrients that add to how healthy it is. Selenium is an important nutrient that helps support both thyroid and cognitive health.
Phosphorus, another important nutrient, helps activate certain enzymes in your body, and is also an important component of your bones and teeth.
Finally, B vitamins are an array of many different vitamins which help give you energy. They also help support your metabolism, and play a role in brain function as well.
Salmon contains all of these important nutrients. This means every bite you take of this delicious food is packed with nutrients that will help nearly every part of your body.
Farmed Salmon vs. Wild Caught Salmon
Although any salmon you pick will boost your overall health, there are a few differences worth noting between farmed salmon and wild caught. Farmed salmon tends to have more omega-3 fatty acids, and be slightly higher in calories. (Likely because of the higher fat levels.)
On the other hand, Wild Caught Salmon tends to be lower in calories, and have more of the other nutrients in them.
While either choice is good, if you’re trying to count calories you may prefer wild caught, while if you need more omega-3 fatty acids, you may find farmed salmon to be a better choice.
How to Enjoy More Salmon
Although Salmon and other fatty fish are incredibly good for us, they don’t always end up on the menu with great regularity. It can be a challenge to get enough Omega-3 fatty acids, and just taking a supplement may rob you of the many other nutrients in salmon.
Fortunately, many Mediterranean dishes feature salmon and other fatty fish as part of their menu. At Aladdin’s, we also serve salmon. Try our Salmon Arrabiata, made with fresh Atlantic Salmon. Arrabiata is a flavorful tomato sauce that adds to the salmon, and the entrée is served with a fresh salad to really give the entire meal a nutritional boost.
Salmon and other fatty fish are a critical part of a healthy diet. If you haven’t had Omega-3 rich food in a while, consider stopping by for some delicious Salmon today.