A shift to healthy eating includes seafood at least twice per week

The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage families to eat seafood at least twice weekly because of its heart and weight benefits. The Guidelines also underscore the importance for pregnant and breastfeeding women to eat more seafood to improve babies’ health.

While most Americans eat an adequate amount of total protein foods, nearly all eat far too little seafood—the average American eats one serving of fish per week, while the average pregnant woman eats half a serving per week. To make the shift to eat more seafood and reap its health benefits, the Guidelines suggest choosing fish in place of meat or poultry twice each week.

Fish is low in total fat, high in protein, and rich in vitamins and minerals, like selenium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins.  At a time when Americans are told to limit so many foods, seafood is among the handful of foods Americans are encouraged to eat more often. For the latest on seafood science and nutrition keep up with our registered dietitians, visit our Dish on Fish Blog.