Surprising omega-3 winner: Affordable fish beats salmon and trout
Forget about salmon! Dietitian names the fish that is truly healthier (photo: Freepik)
Red fish is considered the epitome of healthy eating and the main source of valuable Omega-3 fatty acids. However, as it turns out, this is not always the case, especially when it comes to its preparation. In an interview for RBC-Ukraine, the honored doctor of Ukraine, professor, and gastroenterologist-dietitian Halyna Anokhina dispelled this popular myth and named an affordable yet significantly healthier alternative that could surprise even the most experienced health-conscious individuals.
Affordable fish that is truly healthier than salmon
"Following the principles of healthy eating doesn't mean eating only expensive and hyped products," says the doctor.
Many consider the "advertised" red fish to be the main source of Omega-3 fatty acids. However, Anokhina says, this is not entirely true.
"If you fry a steak of red fish, the Omega-3 fatty acids in it will break down. Therefore, it's better to eat it salted, preferably lightly salted, to avoid too much salt," the doctor explains.
However, the expert recommends choosing mackerel or herring as a healthy and much cheaper alternative.
It turns out that docosahexaenoic acid (one type of omega-3) is found in higher amounts in herring than in red fish. This makes regular herring a real champion in terms of Omega-3 fatty acid content.
Calories are not the main indicator of health benefits
The doctor also pointed out in the interview that foods with lower calorie content can turn out to be less beneficial than those that contain more calories but have higher biological value.
"You need to look not at how many calories are in a product, but at how many different substances are in 100 grams of the product," she explains.
This refers to micro- and macro-elements, vitamins, and fiber, which actually nourish the body and support its functions.
"For example, if we take white bread or a bun. It contains carbohydrates, maybe some fiber, possibly a few minerals. But there's definitely a lot of salt in it. Also, it contains poor-quality baker's fat. So, it's better to buy pasta than white bread.
Or, bake bread yourself, or make pancakes. I also recommend Armenian lavash because it doesn't contain added fats," the doctor concluded.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
