Seafood and Current Dietary Recommendations

Food alone cannot make a person healthy, but good eating habits based on variety and moderation can help keep a person healthy and may even improve health. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture issued Dietary Guidelines in 2010 which are intended to help people maintain their health.

The guidelines suggest that Americans should increase their seafood consumption and eat seafood twice a week. In addition, the omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood may provide other significant health benefits. In order to maximize the health benefits of seafood, healthy preparation methods, like baking, are recommended.
Major conclusions in the 2010 dietary guidelines describe the steps that can be taken to help all Americans adopt health-promoting nutrition and physical activity including:

1. Prevent and/or reduce overweight and obesity through improved eating and physical activity behaviors.
2. Choose a variety of protein foods, which include seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
3. Increase the amount and variety of seafood consumed by choosing seafood in place of some meat and poultry.
4. Replace protein foods that are higher in solid fats with choices that are lower in solid fats and calories and/or are sources of oils.