Wild salmon is a nutritional powerhouse, high in heart-healthy omega-3 fats and naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s also low in toxins and contaminants that can be found in farmed salmon. And with a few simple tricks, you can enjoy the best of both worlds by eating more wild salmon and less farm-raised fish.
Wild Alaskan Salmon: What It Is, How to Buy It and When You Should Eat It
Most Americans are familiar with the term “wild salmon,” referring to fish that is caught in its natural environment, such as a river or ocean. It’s an important food source for indigenous communities throughout Northwest North America, many of which still rely on subsistence fishing and harvesting to provide a living wage for their families. Information linked here talks more about the subject, check it out.
It is a highly prized seafood due to its high level of nutrients, particularly the heart-healthy omega-3 fats. It’s high in selenium and astaxanthin, two antioxidants that help fight against free radical damage to your nervous system, brain and heart.
The fatty acids in salmon are essential to your health, and it’s a great source of protein. It’s also rich in vitamin D, which is a nutrient that’s critical for bone health.
In addition to the fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, salmon is a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and vitamin B12. It also contains Vitamin C, which promotes strong bones and healthy joints.
Farmed salmon tends to have a higher amount of fat than their wild counterparts, which can be a concern because too much omega-6 fat in your diet can increase inflammation and drive up your risk for chronic diseases like heart disease.
Wild alaska halibut, on the other hand, has a lower ratio of fat to protein than farm-raised varieties and is higher in omega-3 fats, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. It also has less mercury and other contaminants than farm-raised fish.
How to Find it in Your Grocery Store
While salmon may be a staple in your kitchen, it can be difficult to know what to look for when you’re at the grocery store. There’s a lot of different types of salmon available, and you should be able to tell if it’s wild-caught or farmed by the label on the package.
How to Choose it:
The most important thing to look for is if the fish is fresh and has been cleaned. You can find this information on labels at most retailers. You can also check with your local fishmonger or seafood counter.
It’s best to choose wild-caught salmon if possible, since it is better for you and the environment. In addition, it is cheaper than farm-raised varieties and is often more sustainable.
Sockeye (red) and Chinook Salmon are common in most rivers of Alaska, where they spawn in summer or fall and return to freshwater. These anadromous species have a green head and bright red bodies and develop a humped back and hooked jaws during their spawning season. To familiarize yourself more with this topic, it is best that you check out this post: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_salmon.