From boosting Vitamin D to supporting immunity, there is little that seafood from Alaska can’t do when it comes to wellness. We all know that the basis for a healthy body and mind starts with a healthy diet and there really is no better than Alaska Seafood’s bountiful range of sustainable fish.
Home to some of the world’s cleanest waters, Alaska has over three million lakes, 34,000 miles of coastline and 3,000 rivers, where an abundance of different seafood species swim freely in harmony with nature. It is, therefore, no surprise that seafood from Alaska wins the prize for the highest quality in sustainably sourced, wild seafood. This freedom allows the fish to mature at their own pace, and also is what adds to the superior taste and texture of the fish – you can tell this just from its more vibrant colour.
When it comes to what we put on our plates, we also like to know that nothing artificial has been added – call us old-fashioned but we like to eat things that are truly in their natural state, which is why we love that Alaska Seafood promise to never add artificial colouring, preservatives, pesticides or GMOs is part of their ethos. But why would they need to when the real thing is so much better anyway. Sustainability is also at the forefront of the fisheries industry here, and has been since 1959 when Alaska was founded, when an agreement was written up and documented that their fish “be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle”.
The nutritional benefits of eating Alaskan fish such as salmon (whether canned, chilled or frozen) and wild pollock could also go a long way to protect our bodies and minds and help us feel our best yet. Jo Travers, a registered Dietician and Nutritionist says “Oily fish is one of the few foods that contains vitamin D – which is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin – that is essential for bone health, but also has lots of other roles in the body.” Research has shown that Vitamin D not only has a positive effect on the mind but it has now also revealed that it greatly supports the immune system. Vitamin E too can be found in abundance in Alaska seafood, which can balance cholesterol, help repair and heal skin and even boost the health of our hair. Fish is perhaps lesser known for its contribution of essential Vitamin C, and even Vitamin A too.
And if all that didn’t convince you enough that seafood from Alaska should be a firm part of your weekly diet, there is of course the abundance of the all-important omega-3s, which Travers calls “a key nutrient”. She goes on to explain that “Omega-3 is an essential fat that our bodies can’t make, so we need to get it from our diet. It has a role in brain cell structure and is associated with mood stabilisation. It is also anti-inflammatory.”
Perhaps the fish that Alaska is most well-known for is it’s wild salmon. Every species of salmon found in Alaska is full of the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids DHA & EPA (great for building healthy hearts). Packed with protein but low in fat it makes a delicious healthy choice all year round. From salads to stews and even burgers there is an array of tasty recipes to try out this New Year – all available on the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute’s website. Their recipe for Wild Alaska Salmon and Leek Mini Frittatas is amazing and can be made with John West’s wild pacific red or pink canned salmon making it so easy to store and still packed with vitamins, protein and amino acids. Alaska is home to five types of wild salmon, one of our favourites is pink salmon, which can be found canned or frozen. On average each of these fish swim 2000 miles a year making them super fit and lean and full of protein, and perfect for a healthy meal for the entire family.