Why You Should Always Eat Wild Caught Salmon
Comparing Wild Caught Salmon to Farm-Raised Salmon
It is no secret that salmon has amazing health benefits. However, over the last couple of decades, the salmon market has split into two: wild caught and farm-raised. This differentiation can cause some confusion for a consumer who hasn’t read up on the latest fish facts. Today we come to the rescue with a quick guide to farm-raised versus wild-caught salmon.
What Do Salmon Eat?
Wild caught salmon start their lives in freshwater, migrate out to the ocean and then retreat to their original home to lay eggs. They have a diet that typically consists of invertebrates such as plankton, eels and shrimp. They’ve got hefty appetites, too. The average wild salmon will consume at least 50 grams of food per day!
When farm-raised, the farmers provide a processed, high-fat, high-protein meal intended to increase the size of the fish. This mixture can range from small ground-fish to corn.
Nutritional Benefits of Fish
When naturally occurring, a serving of this healthy fish will contain more calcium and iron than its farm-raised friends. Salmon in captivity contain higher levels of fat, saturated fat and calories.
Omega-3 and omega-6, polyunsaturated fats known to provide an amazing health boost, are both found in salmon. However, the typical American has an improper ratio of these nutrients, consuming a higher amount of omega-6 and less omega-3. Omega-6 has inflammatory effects on the body while omega-3 does not. Why should you consume more omega-3s? They are an essential part of the cell membrane and have been proven to prevent heart disease as well as strokes. Wild caught salmon reigns supreme in containing an optimal ratio of these fats.
Image courtesy of CA Creative
Possibility of Exposure to Toxins
When you eat fish, you are eating what they are eating. Therefore, the more natural a fish’s diet, the better it is for you.
Due to cramped quarters on farms, antibiotics are typically distributed to reduce diseases. These antibiotics are then transferred to humans when they eat the product.
Studies show that farm-raised fish contain more toxins than wild salmon. A major toxin group being monitored is PCBs. On average, 36.63 parts per billion of these man-made chemicals are found in farm-raised fish while sustainable salmon only contain 4.75 parts per billion. PCBs are known to cause a variety of cancers in animals and a probable cancer-causing carcinogen in humans.
Making Smart Decisions With What You Eat
All of this information is not meant to scare you. Rest easy, you can safely eat farm-raised salmon. However, you can see how beneficial it is for yourself and your family to opt for wild caught salmon and other natural foods when possible.
At Timoti’s, fresh is always best. We pride ourselves in providing only wild caught seafood so that any choice off of our menu is a healthy option! That goes for our classic menu items like Shrimp Baskets, Lobster Rolls, Poké Bowls made with sushi-grade Raw Ahi Tuna, weekly specials and our daily catch.
Wild Caught Seafood at Timoti’s
Ready for a mouth-watering flavor-filled dish? Try some of our famous handhelds, baskets or tacos today!