Salmon is one of the most nutritious and delicious food on the planet and it seems that some people who don't even like fish would admit to liking Salmon. It's available fresh, frozen, smoked or canned. It's loaded with beneficial properties as it has lots of vitamin D,selenium, B vitamins like Niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium, as well as the prized Omega-3 fats.
Well you just read that and might still asked yourself: " Well, so?!!! What's the big deal if I don't eat salmon?! " Well I think that sometimes when we know that things are good for us, we might not eat them because we don't fully realize what exactly they do for us. So I wanted to explain a few of the benefits of some of those vitamins and minerals that are available in salmon so that when you hear about those vitamins/minerals available in salmon or in other food you might ( I hope) be more motivated to add them to your diet.
Selenium plays an important role in the prevention of generative disease such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, infections and aging. Vitamin D's major role is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases. Magnesium's benefits are many and include solving or preventing osteoporosis, heart attacks, hypertension, constipation, migraines, leg cramps, kidney stones, gallstones and more. I have heard before that if someone wanted to never be constipated again they should add some magnesium to their diet!
Delectable grilled salmon sandwich with guacamole and much flavors that make you go crazy and...ease stress...lol
Nota Bene: Just for the record , I did not eat those chips !!! That was my hubby's tray and I had water with my order! The proof is on a picture below! ha ha! My order that day came with a corn chowder soup! Vitamins B or not you will be greatly happy after eating that sandwich. Went with friends last Sunday, I ordered the same sandwich and a salad this time and the friend who took on my recommandations to try the sandwich was all "Hummm this is gooood Hmmmm.." in a delighted Cuban accent! He was so happy!!!!
B Vitamins are mood boosting vitamins and can ease stress, treat anxiety and depression, aid memory, relieve PMS and reduce heart disease risk.
Niacin is actually vitamin B3. It greatly helps with the reducing and controlling high cholesterol levels and is also known to benefits our bodies in maintaining a healthy skin condition and good blood circulation. Niacin helps in maintaining good brain function, it boots memory power and it also can aid the digestive tract to absorb sufficient carbohydrates,fats and proteins.
Vitamin B6 also known as pyridoxine, helps brain function and helps the body convert protein to energy. It works with Folic acid and vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is often called the "energy vitamin" of the Bvitamins as some athletes or people with low energy often talk of needing a B12 injection. Apparently clinicians use B12 injections to assist people with low energy level and to support their nervous system. B12 injections is more common among people suffering from pernicious anemia as their body can't absorb it from dairy products or other foods.
Please watch the video:
B12 might also be important in the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. B12 can even be associated with weight loss due the fact that it increases our energy and metabolism when consumed daily.The vitamin B12 is actually called cyanocobalamin or just cobalamin because it contains the metal ion cobalt. B12 can help keep your mind, heart and nerves healthy! Your body needs this vitamin to make blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. B12 also helps with the synthesis of both fatty and amino acids.
Well, this is just a little introduction. Vitamins and minerals both work so mysteriously in term of their beautiful role and efficiency in our bodies and salmon is "loaded". I think that in knowing some of the major benefits of those vitamins and minerals it become more clear as to why/how eating some salmon (preferably wild salmon) at least twice a week could be so important to our health.
Delicious grilled salmon sandwich, a bowl of soup and a bottle of water! You can eat healthy and still be happy!(lol)
I don't know if it's the B vitamins in the salmon that boost my mood but I am always happy eating that sandwich! The truth is I love good food so just smelling a dish and thinking of the flavors will boost my mood!
You might have noticed that I did not mention the benefits of Omega-3! That's because I plan on talking more about them in one of my upcoming post next week!So make sure you come back!
In the meantime I am curious to learn a few things from you: Do you take any of those vitamins/minerals above as supplements? Do you suffer from any condition due to the deficiency of those vitamins? Do you have a diet/lifestyle that offer many of those vitamins and minerals? What's your preferred source of Bvitamins, vitamin D and magnesium?
Due to the fact that few people are pescetarian, I interviewed Kayla with the intention of shedding more light on the subject. Please read the previous post " Switching to a pescetarian diet" where I explain what it means to be pescetarian and share a portion of Kayla's post " Switching to a pescetarian diet".
GHD: What made you decide to be a pescetarian? Did you do it for weight loss or for its health benefits?! What attracted you the most to that diet?
Kayla: I became a Pescetarian after really researching HOW our meat is made. It's pretty unappetizing. I did it more because of how the animals are killed and not so much the fact that they are killed. People have been eating meat since the dawn of time, but now that mass production and money is involved its a whole different world. They pump our meat full of hormones and slaughter the animals in mass manufacturer style. The way fish "go" didn't bother me as much and I know they have a 3 second memory. As far as the weight thing--because many people feel like they'll drop a few pounds--I am the same weight as I started. You've gotta be healthy and eat a diverse diet with vitamins included to be a healthy Pescetarian.
GHD: How long have you been a pescetarian?
Kayla: I have been a Pescetarian for a year and some change. Before being a Pescetarian I was a 'flexitarian'. I ate a vegetarian diet Monday through Friday and only consumed meat on the weekends. I fell off of this and then went into Pescetarianism almost a year later.
GHD: What dish do you like to cook?
Kayla: I absolutely adore cucumber stir fry with tofu. I used a cucumber stir fry recipe from Food.com and substituted the meat for tofu.
GHD: How do your friends react when you eat out with them? What kind of reaction do you get when you ask for fish when there is little option.
Kayla: My friends are totally cool with it. My roommate is a Vegetarian and has been for over 10 years and my other friends willingly eat my food! I don't really announce that I'm a Pescetarian though. I think when you draw attention to or label something you are asking for other people's comments, judgements, etc. Most people don't even notice anything is different. However, THERE WILL BE IGNORANT PEOPLE who turn their nose up at your food just because you say that it's meatless or who will make dumb comments.
GHD: Do you find it hard to eat out with a pescetarian diet? Is there a restaurant chain that you frequent often that have a great dish that you will recommend? What local place ( and what dish) in AL would you recommend any one visiting or living there to try?
Kayla: I don't find it hard to eat out at all. I don't do it often enough to have favorites, but its not a problem when I do. I am a Pescetarian so I'm willing to eat fish which is on just about EVERY menu. However, most of my meals are 100% meatless. I'll just order something off of the menu that usually has meat and ask that they remove it. I've also ordered burgers without the meat patty and if you look really hard at the menu in big chain restaurants they often have a veggie burger on the menu! I love a good Burger King Veggie! Now, Alabama is the home of barbecue, pork rinds/cracklings/chicherones, shrimp, and boiled peanuts. The last two are the only "Pescetarian friendly options". I love shrimp and my Vegetarian roommate can't get enough of those peanuts!
GHD: How has the switch helped you and improved your health, your life?
Kayla: My health may be a mental thing, but since switching to a Pescetarian diet I just feel lighter. I know that heart disease and high blood pressure are prevalent in the African American community and my chances are lowered with this diet. I also know that I'm not getting any weird animal hormones. lol.
I personally appreciate that Kayla is a young lady who seems to know what she wants and is very focused in life. In a world where young people are often times labeled as undisciplined and irresponsible I find it fascinating and encouraging to meet a young lady in her 20s that have the discipline and maturity to care about her health and embrace such a lifestyle. You can read more on her pescetarian advices on the post below and on http://what-the-kink.blogspot.com/2011/02/tips-switching-to-pescetarian-diet.html
Are you or anyone you know a pescetarian? Would you like to share your experience and opinion on the matter? Please leave some comments so that we could all learn from you and if you would like to be featured on the blog e-mail me at goodhealthdiva@gmail.com
For many years now my diet has consistenly involved more fish than any kind of meat. However, I never considered converting to a Pescetarian until recently. For those of you unfamiliar with the term Pescetarianism or Pesceterian, Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood and excludes other animals.In addition to fish and/or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically includes some or all vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains , eggs and dairy. The Merriam- Webster dictionary dates the origin of the term "pescetarian" to 1993 and defines it to mean: "one whose diet includes fish but no meat". Since I intend to share more about that diet and that I am considering making the change eventually (smiles), I asked a fellow blogger who made that switch to place here her post on "switching to a Pescetarian Diet". She was gracious to accept to do it and below you will find portion of her post. I stronly encourage you to read the post in full on her blog. (The link is available below! ) I am curious to know how many of you are pescetarian?! Have you ever thought of being one?! What do you think could be your greatest challenges as you consider making such a switch?!
Switching to a Pescetarian Diet by KaylaKayla is a 20 year old college student residing in Alabama. In her free time she blogs about her transition to natural hair on her blog 'What The Kink?!'
1. ESTABLISH WHY YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS
When I first modified my diet, I was a flexitarian or someone who still eats meat--any sort--at times. After a while I forgot why I was even doing this and fell off. If you don't have a strong connection to why you are changing a big part of your life--and eating is BIG, then you too will fall off.
2. TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME
If you know you can do it in one big step, do it! However, some people find it more comfortable to glide into change. Start with cutting out one group of meat, then another, and another until you reach your goal.
3. CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
If you think of the things that you are no longer eating as "stuff you can't eat" then you will feel like you are missing out. Change that statement to "stuff you don't want to eat". It sounds small, but it is a big deal. Trust me.
