Fishy Friends, UK

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 14 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Including heart-friendly fish in your diet can be environmentally friendly too. Fish is an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals and is low in saturated fat and if you choose oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring, you have the added benefit of omega 3, which is essential for good heart health. However, people are worried that if we all include fish in our diet, this will have a negative impact on fish stocks and the environment. The Food Standards Agency is addressing these concerns by raising awareness of sustainable fish sources, so you can choose wisely for your heart and for the environment.

The Marine Conservation Society already has an international system for labelling fish and some sustainable sources include:

- organically farmed Atlantic salmon and Alaskan salmon - great just steamed with a little lemon juice and parsley
- herring from Scotland, the North sea, Hastings, the Thames and Norway- try it skewered and cooked on the barbecue; it's also great marinated in a mild chilli sauce
- organically farmed brown, rainbow or sea trout - it's so quick and easy to cook and you can buy it filleted if you don't like the bones.
- pilchards and sardines from Cornwall - a cheap and healthy option, delicious with a tomato dressing on toast or with a green salad

The Food Standards Agency recommends that you eat fish twice a week, with one portion being oily. Think of your heart as well as the environment and buy fish from a sustainable source, so we can continue to enjoy fish for generations to come.

Heart Research UK