Rising Seafood Prices
Some see a trip to the fish counter as too expensive.
Many health experts and the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that most people would benefit from eating more seafood, especially if it replaces some of the red meat in the diet. Fish can be a valuable source of protein, micronutrients and heart-healthy fats. But for this to occur, perhaps seafood prices need to come down for many households to serve it for dinner more often.
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 dietary data to assess adult intake of seafood in relation to income and race/ethnicity, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition determined low-income groups consume slightly less seafood than high-income groups and, importantly, substantially less seafood such as salmon that is higher in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and typically priced higher than lower omega-3 options (like tilapia and fast-food fish fillet sandwiches).
However, the authors note that one useful intervention for high seafood prices would be to educate consumers about the lower-cost fish and shellfish options such as canned sardines that are denser in nutrients including omega-3s and vitamin D.
See also: What to Look for in Seafood Nutrition
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
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