Lousiana Seafood Season

Take advantage of local seafood and get all the omega-3s you need.

March 21st, 2014 by: Julie Fortenberry

Living in New Orleans and near the Lousiana coast, it’s never difficult to find just-caught seafood. From white and brown shrimp to crawfish, oysters and fish, we’re located in a prime position to take advantage of all the nutrients seafood has to offer.

Chief among these nutrients: omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fat (fat molecules that include more than one doublebonded carbon atom are referred to as “unsaturated”). These fats are healthier than saturated and trans fats, and can help improve heart health when consumed in moderation.

Our bodies can’t create omega-3 fatty acids, so it’s important to make sure we get them from food. Two important omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA and DHA are found in fish and shellfish; these fats contribute to healthy brain and vision development in infants. They also help boost immunity, reduce blood clotting, and lower blood pressure and triglycerides (a common form of fat whose excess can cause coronary artery disease).

Generally, the fattier the fish, the more omega-3 fatty acids it contains. Oily ocean fish, like salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines, supply lots of omega-3s. Here’s how to work more fish-based omega- 3s into your diet starting in March!

CHOW DOWN ON OYSTERS.

According to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, late November through May is the best time of year to enjoy oysters. They’re big and fatty, meaning less time spent shucking, more time spent eating and more omega-3s for you!

TRY A NEW FISH EVERY WEEK.

Louisianans are lucky to have a wealth of different fish at our doorstep. If you wanted, you could try a new type of fish every week for a year and you still wouldn’t exhaust the list of fish species swimming in the Gulf!

PLAN AHEAD TO EAT MORE SEAFOOD.

Pop fresh frozen seafood in the refrigerator to defrost before you leave for work, and it will be ready to cook when you get home. Similarly, keep a jar of cocktail sauce in the fridge so you can always snack on chilled, boiled Louisiana shrimp.

BUY LOCAL.

You’ll find some of the world’s most delicious fresh-caught fish right here at local farmer’s markets and grocery stores. Look for a label noting that the fish was caught in Louisiana.