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After recently overhearing a conversation between two people shopping in the seafood section, I realized that I didn’t know the pros and cons of wild-caught and farm-fresh seafood. One shopper said they objected to farm-fresh because the chemicals used on them, and the other declared that was nonsense and wild-caught was just as bad with its high mercury. I began to wonder what the facts were and which was truly the better, healthier choice.
Seafood is a great source for protein and omega-3s. Having at least two servings of the omega-3s found can improve heart health and brain functions. Because of it is very low in saturated fat, it is also my go-to protein when I am on my health kicks. Fish is definitely not something I want to give up so here is what I found for the good and the bad of each type.
The pros for farm-fresh seafood are:
- more vitamin A, which is good for healthy skin and proper bone growth.
- less mercury; this is especially good for pregnant women
- some farmed fish have more omega 3 fats than wild-caught.
The bad side of farmed fish is that they can cause damage to the ecosystem and other fish if not harvested properly. You should stay away from fish that were farmed in other countries where the standards and regulations are not as strict. Some of the enclosures where the farm-fresh seafood are kept they are exposed to the local waters that have higher PCBs, which are a ‘probable cancer causing agents’. Often those levels are minimal and not high enough for the FDC to deem it a problem.
Wild-caught fish has more calcium and iron. Calcium helps with bone development and iron improves many different aspects of your health. Wild caught also has less calories and salt than fresh-farmed.
p>For different reasons wild-caught process can also be bad for the environment. The fuel used in fishing and the fishing procedures can be harmful to the ecosystem as well. Don’t forget that the higher mercury levels, which is still lower levels of toxic for your system.
So as to which is better for you, wild vs. farmed fish, I still don’t have a clear answer for you. Until I taste the difference, I choose the one I can afford!
by LA DiNardi with L. Belle
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