It is not every night that you get to indulge in premium seafood like salmon and lobster, right? After all, fresh seafood can be hard to get and may be too expensive for daily meals too. However, after finding out about the different benefits of seafood, you may want to start including seafood into your daily meal planning. There are various types of seafood that are not too costly but still come with many nutrients. Continue reading to find out more.
Offers Essential Nutrients
Like many other food groups, seafood is loaded with plenty of nutrients in their shells and meats. This makes it ideal for older adults as seafood provides them with the essential dietary nutrients they need to fulfill their daily nutritional requirements. The nutrients include the following:
- Vitamin A, B complex, and D
- Iodine – Essential for those with thyroid problems.
- Omega-3 fatty acids or healthy fats
- Quality protein
- Essential minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and selenium
Get all these nutrients in healthy seafood like tuna, wild salmon, herring, cod, sardines, and farmed oyster. Always cook seafood healthily to enjoy its benefits.
Promotes a Healthy Heart
Not all fats are bad for the heart. It is actually recommended for older adults to consume omega-3 fatty acids regularly. This nutrient can improve the functions of the heart while strengthening it. Omega-3 fatty acids can eliminate bad fats, support a smooth blood flow, reduce inflammation and blood clotting, maintain blood pressure, and stabilize heartbeats. In turn, older adults can reduce their risks of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Supports a Healthy Brain
Retirement communities today have curated various health and wellness programs to help their residents maintain both their physical and mental health. Having access to nutrient-dense meals is one of the ways that older adults get to support their cognitive function and physical abilities. Omega-3 healthy fats and DHA have been proven to enhance thinking and memory. These nutrients also protect the brain from age-related decline to prevent brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Substituting meat for seafood at least twice a week can provide older adults with these nutrients.
Protects Vision
Omega-3 fatty acids are also effective in improving our eyesight. As we age, it is normal for us to experience a decline in our vision. Including seafood into our meals can protect us from age-related visual impairment like blindness, macular degeneration, and cataract.
Improves Sleep Quality
You may not be a fan of seafood but what about fish? Try to make it a habit to have fish at least twice a week. Eating fish for dinner can actually help improve the quality of your sleep. Fish contains vitamin B6 which is the nutrient that helps our body produce melatonin. This is a chemical that induces sleep and makes us fall asleep faster. Any type of fish comes with vitamin B6 but healthy options include tuna, halibut, and salmon. You can have it with other healthy sleep-inducing foods such as lean chicken meat, white rice, bananas, kale, honey, or warm milk.
