Enjoy a healthy Easter -- enjoy seafood

MEDIA RELEASE 19 March 2008

ENJOY A HEALTHY EASTER -- ENJOY SEAFOOD

“Match chocolate consumption with seafood,” says expert

WANT to enjoy a healthy Easter? Well, eat plenty of seafood.

That’s the simple advice of seafood-and-health expert Mr Roy Palmer, who believes your seafood consumption over Easter should at least match your consumption of chocolate.

“Am I suggesting that seafood should replace chocolate? No, I wouldn’t get far with that line but it is important at any time to eat at least two to three seafood meals a week and there’s no better time for enjoying seafood than Easter,” Mr Palmer said.

“Of course, Lent -- the period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter -- and Easter itself are times when more seafood than usual is eaten, in line with many people’s traditional religious observances. However, I would be surprised if the weight of seafood purchased throughout the nation this time of year isn’t exceeded by the weight of chocolate.

“An average chocolate bar weighs 150 grams, the same as an average serving of fish, but the average fish has more than twice the protein, only 10% of the fat and less than 20% of the calories.”

Mr Palmer, local link in the Global Seafood Health Network, a worldwide network researching and communicating information on the health benefits of seafood, coordinated by Seafood Services Australia, said it was an “amazing food”.

“The health benefits of seafood are well established by international research that has linked it to curing, easing or avoiding conditions that range from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis to Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, depression and ADHD.

“It improves health and development at every stage of life, from the womb to old age, and eating different varieties of fish and other seafood at least two to three times a week is one of the best ways to ensure sufficient intake of protein and other essential nutrients.”

So, what’s on Roy Palmer’s shopping list for Easter?

”Will I be eating chocolate? Absolutely, you bet, though in moderation of course, and I will be enjoying several seafood meals as well.”

FURTHER INFORMATION: Mr Roy Palmer 0419 528 733

Also see: Seafood Services Australia’s Seafood for Life website for more information on seafood and health.

Issued: Wed Mar 19 11:00:02 EST

Reference-id: SSANEWS0211

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