There are different types of food available for people to consume, but not everything is as healthy as it seems. On the other side of the coin, not many unhealthy or weird looking foods are unhealthy. This also applies to seafood which is always under argument for its complicated structure, health reasons and other factors. There are many misconceptions revolving around the consumption of seafood, especially in India. This could be because of various reasons, but it is important to know the reality behind these myths to understand the importance of seafood in our diet.
Myths and Facts about Seafood Consumption
Myth 1- Cooking Seafood is hard
Fact- This is very subjective to definition of hard in your terms, but in general cooking seafood is not as hard as it seems. It is often easy if you have cleaned and done preparations for cooking it early on. Seafood is actually very versatile, hence it is possible that cooking some dishes may be particularly time taking. For example- fish is easier to make, prawns may take a little more time, and hence different food items could take certain time to cook. Indian cuisines are particularly very spicy, hence it takes little longer than usual.
Myth 2- Cooking fish needs to go all the way till it looks brownish
Fact- This is a weird myth, because fish is regarded to be eaten little less cooked to maintain its nutrition value. Although everything has its own taste, it is possible that some individuals like it less cooked whereas some may like it cooked or little flamed. The fact however remains that fish is best eaten less cooked because omega-3 fatty acids are most evident at that movement. Cooking it too much can lose its nutritional value and have an adverse effect on health. Another key to determine is the texture of the fish, when it starts turning flaky or test with the fork.
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Myth 3- Seafood is Expensive
Fact- This is not true, although it depends on the availability factor a lot. In places where seafood is not common, it tends to become a bit more expensive because of transportation cost and other factors. Also other factor such as season also plays a huge role, there are varieties of fish food available, if you buy fish that is available in that season, and then it would be less expensive. Unfortunately fishmongers who actually collect fish do not get paid well, so if you really check normal cost of buying fish; it is much less than that is told.
Myth 4- Seafood tastes better fresh than frozen
Fact- Although we have this misconception that fresh food is always better in taste, it is not particularly true with seafood. The reality is that you may not even notice the change in taste of frozen seafood and fresh one. Seafood is actually stored frozen at most times, if you are not making it at home fresh. Hence there unlikely you are going to spot a difference in fresh and frozen seafood. If it is cooked well, and mixed well with spices, then it becomes next to impossible to state difference.
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Myth 5- Seafood is unsustainable
Fact- This is not true, seafood is very sustainable can be effectively used as a primary diet. It has a lot of proteins and vitamins that provide health benefits to people. Omega-3 fatty acids also boost your overall health and it can even reduce the risk of many diseases such as diabetes and cardiac arrest.
There is a life-cycle which needs to be maintained. There are lot of people, especially in south India that depend on seafood for their staple diet. If we regulate the use of seafood in a better environment friendly way, then it proves to be a sustainable source of nutrition for people.
Myth 6- All seafood have that pungent ‘fishy’ smell
Fact- this is a big myth which is believed by majority of people in India. Since fish is the most consumed seafood, people are unaware of smell of other seafood. The smell which is mostly occurring in fish is so strong that it may overcome other seafood if they are placed near them. Take a note that do not eat fish or any other seafood in a restaurant or a place that smells of fish. This is because, in the given case, the fish may be oilier and lot smellier because they are from close to surface.
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