Shellfish aren't nearly as impressive on the omega-3 front as salmon. But oysters, shrimp, crab, lobster and mussels have about 25%-50% the omega-3s per serving as the healthiest fatty fish. Depending on the type of shellfish you're eating, most have varying amounts of some hard-to-get micronutrients.
Best: Shrimp
They're low in mercury -- and calories -- and high in protein. And they're popular: Shrimp accounts for about half of the seafood eaten in the U.S. The only drawbacks are that they're higher in cholesterol than most fish. They're also low in omega-3s.
If you are wondering which seafood choices are highest in Omega 3's, look no further than Salmon, Fresh Tuna, Trout, Mackerel, Herring, Oysters, Sea Bass, and Sardines, which all have greater than 500 mg per serving. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are not the only benefit to seafood consumption.
Because of their many nutritional benefits, prawns are considered by a variety of health experts to be among the healthiest foods in the world. Prawns are a great source of high quality protein, and provide some of the most important vitamins and minerals that make up a healthy diet.
Oily fish are fish that contain at least 10% fat, most of which are the healthier omega-3 oils. In Australia, the oiliest fish include: canned salmon and sardines, some varieties of canned tuna, salmon, gemfish, blue-eye trevalla, blue mackerel, oysters and arrow squid.
Scallops are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. They improve cardiac health, preventing strokes and heart attacks, maintaining blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol levels. Overall, they can help to reduce the possibility of cardiac problems.
Prioritize fatty fish
Salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel and other varieties of fatty fish can also be helpful when you're trying to get rid of belly fat, science says. In fact, research suggests that it's the very same omega-3s that are good for your overall health that help.
If you're trying to lose weight, opt for lean fish like tilapia or cod, and pair it with a healthy side dish like roasted vegetables or a salad. If you're looking to build muscle, choose fish that's high in protein, like salmon or tuna, and make sure to get enough protein from other sources as well.
Packed with nutrients for a healthier you
With half the calories of salmon, Barramundi is still packed with Omega-3 fatty acids (known to promote both brain and cardiovascular health) and boasts 21 grams of lean protein in a four-ounce serving.
While it might be safe to eat fish every day, Rimm says it's still not clear if there is any added health benefits to that level of consumption. “Most of the science isn't looking at daily consumption,” he explains.
Generally speaking, eating salmon every day is not always recommended, unless you eat small amounts. “The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that people consume 8 to 10 ounces of seafood per week, especially fish that are lower in mercury, which would include salmon,” says Pike.
Is barramundi healthier than salmon? Salmon and barramundi are both great options as part of a healthy lifestyle! While barramundi has half the calories of Atlantic farmed salmon, both fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in brain and heart health.
Sardines, Pacific (wild-caught)
It packs more omega-3s (1,950 mg!) per 3-ounce serving than salmon, tuna, or just about any other food; it's also one of the very, very few foods that's naturally high in vitamin D. Many fish in the herring family are commonly called sardines.
Marine fish that may contain high levels of mercury include shark (flake), ray, broadbill, swordfish, marlin, gemfish, orange roughy (sea perch) and catfish. Freshwater fish in Queensland that may contain higher levels of mercury include Australian bass, Murray cod, eel and golden perch.
A useful source of vitamins
Prawns are a useful source of the B group of vitamins, including B12 and folate. These vitamins play an important role in energy production and replenishing red blood cells. Prawns provide about 22 times the vitamin E levels of either chicken or beef.
Generally, adults should not consume more than 2-3 servings (3 ounces each) of cooked shrimp a week. Eating too many shrimp, even if it is not an allergic reaction, can still upset the stomach and disrupt the body's overall balance of sodium, cholesterol, and other essential nutrients.
A: Prawns are a great source of lean protein and are relatively low in cholesterol. Depending on the size, a 100g serving of prawns can contain between 55-75 mg of cholesterol. It is much lower than other animal proteins, such as beef and pork, which can have over 100 mg per 100g serving.
Fish - Fatty fish (such as salmon and tuna) contain ample amounts of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which may enhance immune function. Omega-3s may help to reduce inflammation, and could increase your body's ability to ward off illnesses.
'I call them the Super Six: wholegrains; nuts and seeds; fruit; vegetables; legumes, beans and pulses; and herbs and spices. If you're getting some of each every day, that's enough to maximise gut bacteria and reduce the negative effects of antibiotics.