By: http://www.skybluecross.com
A New Old Super Food?
The modern North American diet is one rich in saturated fats, deep fried foods, and high sugar drinks. Cola, alcohol, and fast food have all taken their toll on the overall health and fitness of the North American population, and now a full two thirds of the population is considered overweight or obese, with nearly ten percent of the population being morbidly obese.
The mere mention of a change in diet immediately instills fears of ultra-strict calorie pinching and meal planning, yet it does not have to be so. The right combination of foods, combined with moderate physical activity, is all that one needs to get back into shape and back on track with their health.
It Hails From the Sea
Salmon is one food that carries the weight of the world on its shoulders, or should I say, off of yours. High in lean protein, amino acids, creatine, and essential fatty acids, Salmon is the perfect food for someone looking to gain lean muscle mass and ditch some stored fat.
A four ounce fillet of Salmon contains almost half your daily supply of most essential nutrients, such as vitamins B12 and B3, and over eighty percent of your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains a full days supply of vitamin D and trytophan. What's best is that it does all of this while only packing 261 lean, worry free calories.
How Does Salmon Help You?
The sheer number of advantages and good benefits which come from a steady intake of Salmon is quite remarkable, and experiencing them only involves a few minor changes to your diet. There is no calorie counting, food blocking, or madness-inducing starvation sessions involved with this diet modification, only the subtraction of three high-fat meals a week and the addition of three high-value meals which feature Salmon as the entree.
The consumption of Salmon supplies your body with a steady and easily digested serving of lean protein, allowing your muscles the opportunity and resources to develop without adding the layers of fat to go with it. The eventual result, over a decent period of time, is the creation of lean muscle mass and a reduction in fat stores across the body. Though the consumption of Salmon alone won't decrease your body fat index, if it replaces other, high-calorie and high-fat meals, the consumption of Salmon will certainly get you off to a great start.
The omega-3 acids and high vitamin content of Salmon also gives your body an edge cardio wise. Your heart will pump healthier and more efficiently, and your risk for various heart diseases will be significantly reduced. Again, this is the result of all of the good things that Salmon gives you and the removal of some of the bad meals that Salmon is replacing. Keep in mind that if you are consuming nothing but fast food and fried snacks there is nothing that anyone or anything can do to help.
Incorporating Salmon Into Your Diet
There are many sources of Salmon, such as fresh Salmon fillets or canned Salmon (similar to canned Tuna). As a general rule, you want to focus on fresh wild Salmon as opposed to farmed Salmon. There are many varieties of wild Salmon, though we have become particularly fond of the deep, rich taste from Alaskan Wild Salmon.
Replacing two or three high-fat meals with a Salmon based one every week is all it takes to enjoy the numerous benefits associated with Salmon. Like most things, there are thousands of different and creative ways to prepare Salmon, so search around for a recipe that tickles your taste buds.
Our particular favorite method of preparation is either grilling or poaching a six ounce fillet- try a few different methods and see which ones you love. If you are unsure of how to prepare Salmon, make an evening of it and go out to dinner to a restaurant which features it. Be sure to call ahead to confirm that the restaurant you have in mind has a Salmon based entree.
When everything is said and done, Salmon is a versatile, hard-working part of a healthy lifestyle. It can be prepared a million and one different ways, and it always tastes great. The best part, however, is knowing that you can enjoy Salmon without having to feel guilty.
Bon appetit!
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