Salmon

Salmon Salmon, one of the most commonly consumed types of fish on the planet, is native to both the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The life cycle of salmon is nothing short of a miracle. Born in fresh water, salmon makes it way to the ocean where they reach adulthood in two years. Then, when it’s time to reproduce, the salmon travel inland to the very sport they were born to spawn, using the sense of smell to recognize the exact location of their birthing nursery. The salmon soon dies, fertilizing the surrounding forest as well as providing a nutrition rich environment for their offspring.
There are many types of salmon found in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. Once of the most common types of salmon is the Atlantic Salmon, which reproduced in the northern rivers of North America and Europe. With this said, there are a number of salmon varieties which are land-locked species, found in inland sees and large lakes in North America and Europe. Other types of salmon include the Masu Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Samon, Sockeye Salmon, King Salmon and Danube Salmon.

Key Nutrients

Salmon provides a high amount of omega fatty acids, a positive source of triglycerides. High in vitamin and mineral content, it is also an excellent source of essential amino acids including Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine.

Health Benefits

Essential amino acids provide the necessary building blocks for protein growth and development. This tends to promote healthy tissues and reduces the risk of certain cancers.

Omega Fatty Acids – Omega fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids which help reduce the risk of stroke and promote healthy heart and circulatory functions.

Season

Being a fish, salmon can be found in most supermarkets or seafood stores year round.

Nutrition Information
Per 100 grams:

Calories (cKal): 142
Protein (grams): 19.84
Total Fat (grams): 6.34
Carbohydrates (grams): 0
Fiber (grams): 0

Buying and Storing

When buying salmon, make sure the flesh of the fish is bright in color and does not smell like ammonia or the sea. When storing at home, store the fish in a sealed container lined with paper towel for up to two days.

Best Way to Add to Diet

There are many ways to serve salmon. First, try poaching a piece of salmon and placing on top of a small salad. Grilled salmon is delicious, especially when served on a cedar plank. When cooking salon in a sauté pan, try using coconut oil instead of olive oil for a deliciously simple taste.