Try this Incredibly Easy Maple Dijon Salmon

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Do you eat fish?  If so, do you eat it regularly?

If not, maybe it’s time to consider eating it more often.  Think once or twice a week often.

I didn’t eat fish at all for a looooonnngg time.  Then I started experimenting with it a little here and a little there. As I learned more about both its health benefits and about preparing it, I began incorporating it into our regular meal rotation. One of the great things about fish is that between the different types of fish and the different flavors and methods of preparation, you can get a lot of variety!  That alone super important in my family to prevent burn out.

There are so many types of fish we can (and eventually will talk about).  For today, let’s talk salmon.  It’s one of my favorites, for its health benefits as well as its flavor!

Concerns Regarding Salmon

To start, two concerns sometimes pop up in regards to eating salmon: mercury contamination and sustainability.  If you have heard grumblings about either of these issues, let me give you a little more information so you can make an informed choice.

Mercury Contamination

A huge concern with regards to salmon is mercury and pesticide contamination. This concern has been highlighted in recent years as a widespread problem in salmon habitats. That is true in many salmon runs (habitats). However, regardless of what you may have heard, there are still salmon habitat areas that pose relatively low-risk of mercury contamination. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon lead the category in terms of low-risk. These varieties include wild-caught chum, sockeye, coho, pink, and chinook salmon.

Sustainability

Additionally, another large concern that many people have with regards to eating salmon is the sustainability of the salmon supply. What is sustainability? In the case of seafood, it means that fisheries can operate long-term, harvesting fish at a rate that does not compromise the survival of the species or the health of the surrounding ecosystem.

All Alaska’s salmon is 100% wild and 100% sustainable. Unlike many of the world’s other fisheries, Alaska’s salmon are managed and fished using methods and practices to ensure against overfishing, harming other marine life, habitat damage, and pollution. Alaska uses science-based management of fisheries to prevent overfishing so that the salmon population is able to repopulate naturally. These efforts are overseen at the state level and taken very, very seriously.

Benefits of Salmon

Salmon packs such a huge nutritional punch that few foods top it. It’s chock full of protein, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3s are important because they reduce inflammation, help regulate blood pressure, and are great for brain and heart health.

The salmon season runs from around May to October, so you are more likely to find it cheaper then.  If you live near the coast, try looking for salmon at your local fresh markets!  A place that I like to purchase salmon for our family is Costco because it is more affordable there.  I have bought it both fresh (during salmon season) and frozen (the rest of the year).

If you don’t eat fish regularly, I highly encourage you to start eating it more frequently.  And if you do eat it regularly, give salmon a go and receive the health benefits that this amazing and delicious fish offers.  To help you get started, here is a super simple, 4-ingredient Maple Dijon Salmon recipe for enjoy!