The most consumed primary protein source in our home is probably seafood. We eat a lot of tuna. Salmon is also one of our go-to meals. Canned mackerel, sardines and even anchovies are staples in our pantry. You might even find a variety of frozen, wild caught fish in our freezer… in case of emergencies. (For anyone wondering, Morningstar, Tofurkey, Beyond Meat and other “fake meat” products are our second most common primary protein source.) We eat fish because it is, in our opinions, more humane and sustainable than consuming other animals such as cows, pigs and chickens. It can also be healthier, if done properly. Even though I am not a vegetarian, I was a pescatarian for nearly a year when we lived in Boulder. If you manage your macronutrient and overall caloric intake properly, and supplement micronutrients such as vitamins/minerals properly, you can most likely live a healthy lifestyle without certain sources of protein.
You should, however, be very mindful of the seafood you choose to consume. Some are farmed in disgusting environments that run the risk of contamination and disease. You’ve probably heard far too many horror stories about friends and family members getting nasty parasites from eating bad seafood. While some fish are generally very healthy, they might be expensive. Finding a healthy and sustainable lifestyle can be challenging, especially when budget needs to be taken into consideration. Unfortunately, seafood is not always the most affordable option. One very useful resource to help you narrow down your top choices comes from Seafood Watch, courtesy of Monterey Bay Aquarium. We learned more about this on a recent trip up there and the photo in this post contains the pocket-sized handout that they gave us.
We recommend adding THIS as a favorite on your phone so you can check it out when you’re choosing which seafood to consume or buy. Whether you’re at a restaurant or in the grocery store, you can balance what is best for your body and the planet at the same time. I used to be notorious for going to all you can eat buffets and sushi restaurants. Since I feel bad about it now, I’m trying to be smarter moving forward and spread my experience with over consumption. One of our earliest posts, which is about wasting $100 on dinner, was one of my most gluttonous moments. We learn from our mistakes… that is how we stay hungry and fit!
