Although catfish is an easily accessible option at the grocery store, some may be wondering if the option is as healthy as it is easy to get. Shoppers are in luck! Nutritionally, catfish is one of the best options for consumers to incorporate into their routine grocery store trips and staple meal rotations.

For starters, catfish contains many daily recommended vitamins, including omega 3 and omega 6, healthy fats that serve important functions such as improving heart health and reducing blood pressure. Another fundamental vitamin that you can get from consuming catfish is B-12. B-12 supports the functionality of red blood cells and overall brain health. 

The average adult should consume around 250-500 mg of omega-3 each day. To do this, most consumers will lean towards taking a daily supplement. As far as B-12 goes, adults are only recommended to consume 2.4 micrograms, which can easily be achieved through consuming U.S farm-raised catfish.

Furthermore, catfish is a lean choice for seafood and is high in protein but low in calories. Low calorie and protein enriched options for your diet are not only good for your body but also help boost your energy throughout the day and keep you fuller for longer. The recommended amount of protein intake for the average adult is 2.3 ounces. One serving of catfish provides almost half of that daily recommended serving! 

The typical single serving of U.S. farm-raised catfish contains 105 calories, only 2.9 grams of fat, 50 mg of sodium and 121% of the daily value of your B-12 vitamin. Catfish also contains other nutrients like selenium, phosphorus, and potassium where it provides more than 20% of the daily recommended value.

With these amazing healthy benefits and delicious flavor in mind, it’s hard to imagine why U.S. farm-raised catfish wouldn’t be a shopper’s first option at the grocery store. For healthy ways to prepare your catfish, check out our original recipes.

How to Shop for Fish at the Grocery Store

According to Seafood Source, only 56% of surveyed individuals eat seafood twice a month. With that statistic being so low, it makes you wonder if it’s due to the fact that most consumers feel uncomfortable shopping for seafood. In this blog, we’ll explain what to look for when shopping for seafood, what to avoid, and how to make it easier to do regularly! 

Quality

When shopping for seafood, what’s obviously most important to you as a consumer is the quality of the seafood itself. In order to get a good idea of the quality of the food that your seafood counter is serving, there’s a few things you can do to avoid being disappointed in your selection. If the seafood counter you visit has a fishy smell, you should avoid the product. Fresh seafood shouldn’t have an overwhelming sour or fishy odor to it. 

Temperature

You should also be sure that the fish appears to be properly refrigerated. Do not accept fish that has been sitting out for an extended period of time or is strange in color, indicating it was probably stored at improper temperature at some point. 

Also, be sure that when purchasing seafood, you go directly home leaving seafood in improper temperatures has the potential to be detrimental to your health. 

Appearance

The appearance of the seafood you’re looking to purchase can be a huge indicator of the quality as well. Quality fish should have a bright appearance and be relatively clear in color. The fish should also be considerably plump. If you notice the fish at your seafood counter has a cloudy color to it, usually most noticeable in the fish’s eyes, do not buy it. 

With these tips and warning signs, you should be able to buy any fish or seafood like a pro in no time!