Paleo/AIP Acceptable Food #3: Benefits of Fish and Shellfish

This may be one of the greatest joys of living by the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) and Paleo diet…you get to eat SEAFOOD! Fish and shellfish have many health benefits from fatty-acids that act as anti-inflammatories to the fact they are much easier to digest than most food. It is recommended that your choices be lifted from the tuna in a can to wild caught fish and shellfish options…this can be expensive but we will discuss ways to mitigate that cost.

First and foremost, the best part about this paleo and autoimmune protocol food is that there are many options to choose from. This can range from the actual fish to the way it is prepared. Some of these options include: pole caught tuna, wild-caught salmon, oysters, wild-caught sardines, rainbow trout, mussels, arctic char, wild-caught Dungeness crab, wild-caught Atlantic longfin squid. The list could go on but we wanted to share just some of the better options available.

Next, fish and shellfish provide essential nutrients…they are natural sources of vitamins and minerals like B-complex vitamins which help with energy production. They also are loaded with vitamin A which not only boosts your immune and productive systems but protects your vision! In some seafood, like the fatty skin of salmon and tuna, vitamin D is found which supports calcium absorption and healthy bone growth…oh and, once again, boosts the immune system efficiency which is great for the AIP folks!

This next point may be quite obvious but fish and shellfish are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids! Consuming omega-3’s is good for a lot of reason but perhaps most notable is that they can help significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues like arrhythmias, heart attacks and strokes. This is most effective when consuming seafood rather than taking a supplement. The omega 3’s reaches even further with their benefits… In addition to the heart benefits, omegas are good for your joints, eyesight, skin, brain, and immune system!

Now, if you are trying to save on cost it isn’t terrible that these fish aren’t wild caught but the fresher the better. Not to mention, you can almost get some fish for free if you are willing to go to the lake and pole fish. Lastly, often times if you buy in bulk or local you can get a better deal than if the fish have to be shipped across the country.

We hope this further helps you enjoy the options you have while following the autoimmune protocol and paleo diet! #autoimmunehn