Thanks so much to everyone for their comments and emails on last week’s “Farmed versus Wild Salmon” post. The response, both posted and personal, was amazing. It’s what I love about doing the blog – getting you, our MDA readers, the information you want and the resources you can use. Keep those comments and suggestions coming!
I wanted to follow up on a few questions in particular. A number of folks, including David, wanted to know if you could tell how “wild” salmon was from the label. Also, what other kinds of fish would I recommend if salmon, for financial and/or personal environmental commitments, is off the table? Finally, readers like Brett were interested in knowing whether other canned fish like mackerel and sardines were necessarily wild and healthy alternatives.
First, let’s follow up on the issue of wild/half wild salmon. As I mentioned last week, the majority of “wild”-labeled salmon isn’t 100% wild. Most wild-caught salmon originate from hatcheries where they’re raised for the first half or so of their lives before being released into the wild for harvest later. Unfortunately, these fish are considered wild by regulating agencies, and no explanation is required for the “wild” label. Your best bet is to hone in on reputable companies that sell purportedly wild salmon and then grill their customer service staff to get information on the exact sources for their product. Follow the sales trail with gritty tenacity, and you have a decent shot of nailing down a good source for your consumer loyalty. (Talk about singing for your supper….)
As for other fish options, it depends how much of your decision is based on health and how much is based on sustainability. Sometimes the two categories (most healthy and most environmentally conscious) correlate, and sometimes they don’t. This is a health blog, but I know many of you out there (myself included) like to be informed on both fronts to make personal choices. The options in either case are extensive. While I’ll focus on health here, check out this resource (The Marine Stewardship Council, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch) for more details and lists on environmental sustainability in the fishing industry.
As for those species that offer both high omega-3s and low toxin risk, here are some budget-friendly samplings: light tuna, anchovies, sardines, Atlantic herring, and Atlantic mackerel. These species are generally wild caught, and they give salmon a run for its money. Anchovies, according to some nutritional sources, offers more omega-3s than wild salmon (3.4 grams versus 3.2 grams per 6 ounce serving). Sardines and mackerel are close runners-up. Farmed rainbow trout gets a thumbs up from many sources on both these fronts. However, I’d recommend being very familiar with the particular practices of a trout hatchery before buying. You want to avoid the same/similar antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals you find in conventional meats.
Mark Sisson is the founder of Mark’s Daily Apple, godfather to the Primal food and lifestyle movement, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Keto Reset Diet. His latest book is Keto for Life, where he discusses how he combines the keto diet with a Primal lifestyle for optimal health and longevity. Mark is the author of numerous other books as well, including The Primal Blueprint, which was credited with turbocharging the growth of the primal/paleo movement back in 2009. After spending three decades researching and educating folks on why food is the key component to achieving and maintaining optimal wellness, Mark launched Primal Kitchen, a real-food company that creates Primal/paleo, keto, and Whole30-friendly kitchen staples.