Whether you are trying to reduce your chances of developing heart disease or want to lose weight, salmon is a healthy addition to any diet. Aside from being healthy, salmon is versatile and is the main attraction in many inspirational meal ideas. Let’s see why you should include salmon as part of your healthy eating routine.

Eating Salmon for Health

Salmon has many health benefits including the ability to help balance omega fatty acids. It also helps fight inflammation, which is the root cause of serious illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Studies indicate that it may also help to protect brain health and slow age-related cognitive issues. The red color of salmon is a result of the antioxidant astaxanthin, which can help keep cholesterol in check.

Getting the Most Flavor from Salmon

The versatility of salmon recipes is one of the things that makes it a favorite among those who want to eat a healthy diet. Cooking on cherry wood is a popular way to impart an earthy, fruity flavor without adding additional saturated fats or other unhealthy oils. You can use cherry gives the salmon a unique flavor profile that needs little else. Using woods to bake or grill salmon makes a healthy meal when combined with vegetables cooked on the same plank.

Using Salmon for Weight Loss

Many weight loss diets recommend cutting back on red meat and including large quantities of fruits and vegetables. One 3 ounce serving of salmon contains approximately 155 calories and 22 grams of protein. Yet, it has only 7 grams of fat, making it one of the most diet friendly choices of protein.

Finding the Healthiest Salmon

Many sources say that wild caught salmon is healthier than farm raised. The Pacific Ocean contains five types of salmon and most that you find in your grocery store are wild caught. The same cannot be said for Atlantic salmon of which there is only one variety. It is endangered, so most Atlantic salmon is farm raised. This information should be provided on the label.

Salmon is a great addition to a healthy diet and there are many reasons why you should include it in yours. Cooking with wood planks can add a flavorful twist to an old favorite. Try it the next time you decide to pick up some delicious salmon steaks.