The Idiot Proof Diet - Is All Seafood Good For You?

Like fish, most seafood provides good levels of omega-3 fats and is high in protein and low in fat, particularly saturated fat. All seafood is an excellent source of various micronutrients similar to fish, but is an even richer source of the minerals iron and zinc. Oysters and mussels score particularly well on this front because they are rich in both minerals.

In fact, oysters are the richest food source of zinc, containing approximately 10 milligrams per oyster, while mussels have more than double the iron content of red meat. This makes them an excellent choice for those who wish to avoid red meat while still meeting requirements for these essential minerals. Other nutrients found in seafood include potassium, needed to maintain healthy blood pressure; phosphorus, for strong bones and teeth; and magnesium, needed for proper nerve and muscle function and heart health.

For those who don't eat dairy products, oysters, prawns, and scallops become a valuable source of calcium. Many people avoid seafood in the belief that it is high in cholesterol, but, in fact, this is only true for prawns, squid (calamari), and fish roe. We now know that diet affects our blood cholesterol levels and that cholesterol in our diet is far less important than the total amount of saturated fat. Soluble fiber in the diet also helps to prevent dietary cholesterol from being absorbed and so by eating these foods in the context of a plant-rich, high-fiber diet, they are far less likely to have a detrimental effect. Furthermore, given that these foods provide omega-3 fats and many other nutrients, they need not be avoided on the basis of their cholesterol level.

Nevertheless, if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, it is prudent to limit your intake of prawns, squid, or fish roe to no more than once a week, but you can freely choose from the many other types of seafood on a more regular basis. For this reason, these three types of seafood don't quite make a 5-star category, but remain good choices. For more information on good foods that promote weight loss visit 1idiotproofdiet.com an idiot proof diet.