Which Fish Are OK To Eat?

While there has always been controversy around whether red meat is good for you, we have generally always been encouraged to include fish in our diet. Fish have been a part of the traditional diets of human cultures from time immemorial, and they are included in the diets of many people around the world, including those people who live in “blue zones”, which are regions renowned for the longevity of the people who reside there. 

Fish are a good source of lean protein. The protein therein are complete proteins, meaning you get all the necessary amino acids your body requires from the protein found in fish. Fish are generally also good sources of certain nutrients, including B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Certainly, nutrient content varies from species to species, but generally speaking, most forms of fish are healthy to consume.

On the Kaufmann Diet, you are encouraged to include fish in your diet. Fish are a great source of protein, and while all forms of meat are encouraged on the diet, you are more than welcome to include fish in lieu of other kinds of meat if you feel so inclined. 

Similar to how you are encouraged to enjoy grass-fed, grass-finished beef, there are caveats when it comes to shopping for which fish you should buy.

Rules For Buying Fish On The Kaufmann Diet

First, it is good to remember that virtually all kinds of seafood are include on The Kaufmann Diet; these include foods like shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, mussels, etc. Some people eschew shellfish, or certain fish like catfish, for fear of consuming so-called “bottom feeder” species. If you do not want to eat these kinds of seafood, that is completely fine. If you do, that is also fine, and it is good to know that many of these foods are high in protein and other nutrients, and they are permitted on you diet.

It is important to remember that how these foods are prepared is important too; avoid fried seafoods or fish prepared with ingredients not on your diet, such as sugar. 

Second, look for wild-caught varieties of fish when possible, and try to focus on fish which come from sustainable fishing practices. Avoid farm-raised fish when possible, because these are often contaminated with many pollutants, are detrimental to the environment, and are often given corn and antibiotics. 

Third, it can be helpful to focus on fish lower in the food chain if you want to avoid contaminants like mercury in your seafood. Fish like anchovies and sardines, while not staples of the American diet, are great sources of healthy fat, protein; they are cheap, and less likely to be contaminated with compounds like mercury, cadmium, or other heavy metals. The further you go up the food chain, the greater the accumulation of these compounds. It might be wise to avoid shark or swordfish, and even tuna should be eaten more sparingly, particularly if you are pregnant. 

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