Fish: calorie benefits and harm. Find out the benefits and composition of different types of red and river fish

Doctors say that all human diseases occur for three reasons:

  • Poor nutrition;
  • Incorrect temperature conditions;
  • Nervous disorders.

Obviously, one of the most important reasons causing serious negative consequences is poor nutrition. To balance minerals, vitamins and other beneficial substances that can maintain a healthy body, a person should eat fish. Therefore, we all need to pay attention to creating a weekly diet in which these dishes will take their rightful place.

Useful properties of fish

Sea foods contain many substances that are beneficial to humans. In particular, fish oil, which contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, is of great value. Liver and fillet provide the body with archidonic and linoleic acids, necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and cell membranes.

Thanks to the consumption of fish fillet, a person’s cholesterol level decreases and the functioning of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems is stabilized.

Thus, nutritionists and chefs consider the following types of fish to be the healthiest:

  • Tuna is 100% protein; it tops the ranking of vitamin-containing seafood. At the same time, the calorie content of tuna does not exceed 80 kcal/100g.
  • Salmon - trout, salmon, pink salmon - strengthen the cardiovascular system, reduce the risk of blood clots, contain vitamins A, B, D, phosphorus, selenium, Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids;
  • Cod, the most useful part of which is the liver. Having almost no cholesterol in its composition, cod pulp consists of protein (19%), fat (0.3%) and other useful substances. Cod strengthens the immune system and has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in the body.

Sea fish: benefits for the body

Seafood contains many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Fish protein is easily absorbed by the body, and the nutritional properties of this food product break all records.

Sea crucian carp, or sea bream, is a very tasty product, although “fierce” in appearance. Its meat contains lauric and myristic acid, which prevents the formation of blood clots.

Flounder contains large quantities of vitamins A and D. The beneficial properties of selenium contained in flounder cannot be overestimated. Interestingly, there are more than 500 varieties of flounder in the seas.

Salmon is low in calories and high in calcium and protein. It is important to consider that fish grown in artificial reservoirs is not as healthy as “wild” fish living in the natural marine environment.

Capelin is the most charming sea creature, which contains many useful substances. It tastes great and doesn't require much time to prepare.

What types of river fish are good for the body?

In terms of nutritional properties, river fish is slightly inferior to sea fish, but experts point to the presence of useful substances in individuals living in rivers. In particular, river fish contains a lot of protein combined with amino acids, taurine, lysine and tryptophan. Moreover, nutritionists noted that useful substances such as phosphorus and calcium obtained from food from river fish are more easily and quickly absorbed by the body. In addition, for people on a diet, doctors recommend river fish, since it is easier for the body to digest.

Pike perch is a very tasty fish; it contains a lot of taurine and protein. In addition, dishes prepared from pike perch have long been distinguished by their unique aroma and excellent taste.

Carp is a freshwater ray-finned fish, its nutritional properties are very similar to carp. In nature, there are several varieties of carp: scaly, mirror and naked. Currently, a more accessible commercial fish is the scaly carp, which lives near the coast.

Perch can be sea and river, but the fillet of river perch is softer. It is easily broken down by the body, and it is what nutritionists recommend to their patients.

Which one should women choose?

For the female body, fish that live in the depths of the sea are of particular value. It contains: iron, calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids. They are very useful for the normal development and functioning of the pelvic organs. This fish is especially useful during the period of conception and gestation.

Atlantic halibut lives at a depth of 300 - 2000 meters. This is a fairly large fish that goes to spawn at a depth of 300 meters. Fish meat has excellent taste. Of particular value is liver oil, which is superior in vitamins A and D to cod liver.

Mackerel is the common name for 48 species of commercially caught fish. For the female body, the Atlantic mackerel is of particular value; its size can reach 80 cm in length. Interestingly, in the spring, mackerel fillets have a low fat content (3%), and by autumn this figure increases to 30%.

Salmon, or Atlantic salmon, spends most of its life in the sea, but goes into fresh water to spawn. Fish eggs develop in river pebbles from autumn until May, when hatching begins. After 2 to 5 years of growth and development, the fry become capable of “adult” life, after which they leave the river pebbles and go to the sea.

The best choice for the stronger sex

The beneficial properties of fish are due to the content of nutrients that contribute to:

Mackerel contains magnesium, sodium, fluoride and protein, which is easily absorbed by the body. Systematic consumption of mackerel improves erectile function, increases the rate of blood flow to the genitals, and prevents the development of cancer.

Pink salmon contains sodium, zinc, chromium and fat-soluble vitamins that slow down the aging process and strengthen the strength of blood vessels. Pink salmon prevents the occurrence of hypertension, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system, stroke and heart attack.

Tuna contains the most useful vitamins B1, B6, B12, A1; the fillet of this fish consists of 25% protein. In addition, tuna contains a lot of iodine, molybdenum and cobalt. Regular consumption of this fish helps prevent diseases of the genitourinary system and malignant neoplasms.

Which fish to choose for feeding children

Environmental concern for the world's oceans recommends moderation in the use of fish when feeding children. One or two times a week is enough to feed your child fish and provide the developing body with the beneficial substances found in this wonderful food product.

What restrictions do pediatricians talk about?


In the presence of certain diseases (for example, rickets), the doctor prescribes fish oil to the child, but you should not experiment with this issue yourself.

If no contraindications have been established, then starting from 8–10 months you can prepare food with fish seasonings for your child. In particular, children under one year of age can use cod, flounder, sea bass, and pollock as bait. Later, for example, after 2 years, you can feed your child medium-fat fish, carp, perch, trout or catfish dishes. The fattest species - pink salmon, herring, halibut and sturgeon - can be used to feed children aged 5 years and older.

You should start complementary feeding carefully and monitor whether the child has allergies when introducing fish into the diet. Naturally, the first portions containing this product should be very small.

During the cooking process, special attention should be paid to the absence of bones in the fish fillet. In order to retain as many vitamins and minerals as possible in prepared dishes, salted water should be used to defrost seafood.

For children, the fish is first steamed. Later, as the child’s body gets used to fish dishes, you can serve baked or fried pieces.

Which fish is the most delicious and healthy

As an essential food product, fish attracts the attention of nutritionists, chefs, doctors and consumers. The elements and minerals contained in seafood contribute to:


Persons who want to have fish dishes in their diet should decide which types are best to consume:

  1. skinny (1-4% fat);
  2. moderately fat (4 – 8% fat);
  3. fatty (more than 9% fat).

Oily fish is high in Omega-3 acids. You will not be able to lose weight if you frequently eat salmon, mackerel, halibut, salmon and herring. However, once a week will be enough to supply the body with the beneficial substances found in these types of fish.

The medium fat category includes the following species: pink salmon, tuna, carp, catfish, horse mackerel and other species. You can happily eat dishes containing such fish twice a week, and not worry about your figure at all.

Finally, low-fat fish, which can be given to children as bait, as well as cooked and served on a common table, regardless of frequency.

This species includes: cod, flounder, hake, blue whiting and pollock. You can include this fish in your daily diet and enjoy its excellent taste.

You can find out which fish scientists consider the most useful in the following video:

Before fish products reach your table, take care of your loved ones and use the recommendations proposed in this article.


In contact with

Surely many have heard that fish is a healthy product that should be eaten as often as possible. It’s not for nothing that our grandmothers and mothers were stuffed with fish oil throughout their childhood, not paying attention to the fact that it was “tasteless and disgusting.”

However, most likely, few people know why fish is so useful, in what quantity it must be consumed in order for all the benefits to take over and enrich our body.

First of all, let us present a very useful fact: fish is an easily digestible product that does not leave a heaviness in the stomach, and also promotes good and easy health. Of course, people with absolutely healthy intestines and stomachs may be surprised, they say, what difference does it make, how much is there and what will be absorbed.

But for older people, as well as children, people with stomach problems, fish can become an indispensable food product, because it is digested in just 2-3 hours. If we take meat as an example, the process of assimilation can reach 6 hours!

But fish is in no way worse than meat; on the contrary, its energy value is even higher. Some fish representatives can consist of 20% protein, a very valuable protein that contains all 17 amino acids necessary for the human body, and in ideal proportions. And that’s not all that fish is good for.

The composition, for example, includes a well-known omega-3 fatty acid, which has an endless list of benefits: it has a beneficial effect on the health of the arteries, and also prevents the formation of blood clots, which can clog the arteries and lead to a heart attack or stroke.

In addition, it is necessary for people who suffer from high blood pressure. In addition, omega-3 contributes to the normal functioning of the brain and eyes, prevents inflammatory processes in the body, and also helps to overcome them, and helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

What vitamins are contained in fish?

In this regard, fish is also not inferior to many food products known to man; it is rich in vitamins A, D, G, and B vitamins, they must enter the body along with fats, some cannot be absorbed without them.

All fish are divided into 3 groups: low-fat, medium-fat and fatty. For example, crucian carp and goby are low-fat fish, but salmon and saury are fatty fish. The more fat the fish contains, the more vitamin your body can get from eating it.

In addition to the vitamin content, it is also rich in valuable minerals: calcium and magnesium, which affect the healthy appearance of hair and nails, phosphorus, which is actively involved in energy metabolism, as well as fluorine, copper, zinc and potassium.

The undeniable benefit of sea fish, of course, is the high content of iodine, which is so necessary for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Also, sea fish caviar contains a considerable amount of iron; it is often recommended in dietary nutrition, as well as for iron deficiency anemia.

As for the benefits of river fish, it is somewhat lower, since sea fish is fattier than river fish, therefore the content of such beneficial omega-3 fatty acids is lower. But at the same time, it is river fish that is the main supplier of easily digestible protein to the human body. That is why river fish can be an excellent dietary product that can be consumed without much fear by people who are struggling with excess weight and also have diseases in this area.

How to choose and cook healthy fish?

The taste and usefulness of fish depends not only on its variety, but, in many respects, on its living conditions, food, spawning period and, of course, its storage conditions. It is best to purchase fish in specialized fish stores, where a qualified specialist can advise you on a specific type of fish.

Buying fish at markets can be dangerous; as a rule, control over the quality of the product is lower there, and the level of integrity of sellers also varies greatly. The main reason for the spoilage of fish products and the loss of their original quality is repeated freezing of the product. It is best to purchase live or chilled fish, or, in extreme cases, frozen “glazed” fish, which means the presence of a light crust of ice that is applied in a special way to the fish.

Basic criteria for quality and fresh fish:

  • Pay attention to the gills of fresh fish; they should have a scarlet or burgundy color, but not gray or black.
  • Fresh fish should not have a cloudy look.
  • The flesh of the fish should be elastic and dense, without bluish or purple spots. When you press the carcass with your finger, the flesh should quickly return to its original shape. The meat of high-quality red fish should not have a yellowish tint, and the meat of white fish should not have a dirty gray tint. Such shades indicate repeated freezing of the fish.

There is an opinion that the healthiest fish is the most expensive fish, but this is not true at all. Fish that are at the bottom of the food chain, that is, they feed on zooplankton, will be absorbed by the body much easier than rare and valuable specimens of predatory fish. Although among fish lovers of zooplankton there are expensive and rare species.

Which fish is the healthiest?

The question immediately arises: which of the popular and consumed fish is the healthiest? The question is complex, but we will try to give some examples. Among the salmon species, it is believed that salmon is the most useful, they are able to slow down the aging process of the human body, and also prevent cardiovascular diseases.

If we turn to cod, then pollock and haddock are useful; they are considered the most dietary types of fish, and are also very useful for pregnant women and expectant mothers.

Also useful are herring and sardines, which are considered one of the most nutritious fish (33% fat), which contributes to the content of large amounts of vitamins. But, for example, pike is a very dietary product, it contains only 3% fat. Among the cyprinids, carp and crucian carp are very useful; they help strengthen the musculoskeletal system, and also have a beneficial effect on the health of the skin and mucous membranes.

As you can see, each fish is useful and unique in its own way, so choosing which one is best to eat in your case depends on your personal needs. But as for the cooking method, the healthiest and safest method for health is grilling, as well as options for dishes where fish is baked and stewed.

In order for fish to be able to enrich the human body with its beneficial substances and vitamins, as well as to maintain this process at the proper level, it is necessary to consume it 2-3 times a week, alternating river and sea fish.


According to WHO (World Health Organization), eating fish and fish products about 2 times a week reduces the incidence of various diseases. Diseases of the cardiovascular system, cancer, atherosclerosis - and this is not the whole list. Fish is the most unique product, which, due to its composition, simply cannot be replaced.

Fish contains all vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids. Such a content of nutrients and enzymes is no longer found in any food product known to science. Omega acids are the most valuable enzyme of all; their high content in fish helps the human body balance the amount of lipid and cholesterol, which is dangerous for blood vessels. It is because of this property that nutritionists are so fond of fish.




Cholesterol plaques are the main cause of atherosclerosis and heart attacks in humans. Fish is also the most favorite product among nutritionists; the process of digesting fish takes about two hours, while digesting the same amount of meat will take about five hours.

Type of fish.

Fish is divided into three types: fatty, medium and skinny. Protein is the main building material in the human body, and in fish the average content of complete and easily digestible protein is 15%, as well as irreplaceable elements necessary for the normal functioning of the body - iodine (for the central nervous system), zinc, phosphorus and fluorine. It is a mistake to say that beneficial properties are found only in live fish.

Fish is an amazing product in this sense; with proper storage, all useful and necessary substances and enzymes are preserved. But fresh river fish can be dangerous to the body. If fish just caught from a river contains worm eggs, then eating such fish can negatively affect your health. To avoid troubles, it will be enough to properly heat treat the product or salt it with a significant amount of salt. It is also a mistake to believe that the higher the price on the price tag in the store for fish, the higher the amount of nutrients in this fish.

Price and quality.

Value for money - this definition is not about fish. If we take, for example, cod, which has a fairly high methionine content, it can prevent the deposition of fats in the organs and normalize fat metabolism. And expensive varieties of fish, such as salmon and trout, are classified as fatty fish. Consumption of such fish is not recommended for obese patients.

Useful properties of river fish.

And fish with a low fat content (skinny - fat content no more than 8%) helps people with excess weight and atherosclerosis cope. In order to get all the beneficial properties of fish and not lose anything, you need to cook it correctly. The most correct way is to boil the fish; baking or cooking over an open fire is also perfect. If the fish is baked in the oven, then you need to discard the foil, because all the fat will be on the fish. During the frying process, you must follow some rules. The frying pan, preferably made of cast iron, should have thick edges. It is better not to cover it with a lid when frying to avoid the accumulation of excess moisture, otherwise the appearance of the cooked fish will be unappetizing. Fish can be cooked over an open fire or in coals. From the point of view of beneficial enzymes, salting fish is not the best option.

All beneficial substances are preserved unchanged, but the high salt content is unacceptable for people with kidney disease or cardiovascular disease. Eating smoked fish can negatively affect human health. When smoked, carcinogenic substances appear, which, if consumed regularly, contribute to the development of cancer. The highest content of such substances is in hot smoked fish.

How to choose quality fish?

There is a huge amount of fish in stores, but how to correctly determine the quality? Quality fish have red eyes and dark red gills. If there is mucus on the gills and the eyes are cloudy, this is the first sign that the fish is not fresh. The mucus on the surface of the skin should be colorless and free of foreign odors. Pressing on the scales should not leave a dent. At home, the freshness of fish can be determined by placing it in a bucket of water; fresh fish will sink to the bottom, and stale fish will certainly float to the surface. For a deeper and more detailed study, a special laboratory and specialists will be required. What is the healthiest fish, river or sea? Seafood is of course healthier - it has a high content of fatty acids, vitamins and macroelements. It is better to eat fish of medium or small size, as they do not have time to accumulate harmful substances. Proper preparation will also help reduce the concentration of harmful substances. Fish was not only used for food.

Properties known to us since ancient times.

Even ancient healers discovered and actively used the medicinal properties of river fish. Fish glue was used for bleeding, and in some tribes the liver of fatty fish was used to remove cataracts. Some types of fish have bactericidal and antipyretic properties. Time passes, science, thanks to its achievements, has advanced medicine far forward. Insulin, which is vital for patients with diabetes, as well as pancreatin and other medications are now obtained from fish. Fish is an amazing product that has a lot of positive aspects.

Eating fish.

Regular consumption of fish and fish products reduces the risk of dangerous heart diseases - heart attacks - by almost half. The heart is the perpetual motion machine of our body and fish, especially river fish, are ideal for prevention and treatment. You cannot refuse to use this product because of dislike or harmfulness. If you eat fish at least once a month, the positive effect will be much stronger than just eating meat products with vegetables. So don’t forget about the properties of fish, and first of all river fish, since it appears on our table more often than sea fish.

When God invented all life on Earth, fish, as a species, he gave a special place in human life.

And, indeed, how many wonderful moments all kinds of fish dishes bring us. Everyone loves fish, regardless of place of residence, race and taste preferences. Whatever fish ends up on our table, sea or river, fried or smoked, we will definitely enjoy it.

Experts have long proven that fish is a storehouse of useful substances, and every day more and more unique properties are discovered. Regular consumption of fish will provide our body with high-quality protein containing essential amino acids, which are also easily digestible, as well as vitamins A, D, E and microelements.

How to eat fish?

In order to preserve maximum nutrients, it is preferable to consume boiled fish. Whether to steam it or boil it in a small amount of water is, of course, up to you. Baked fish will also be very useful. In addition, a minimum of time is spent on preparing fish dishes, which is quite important in our fast-paced times.

How to choose fish?

  1. Of course, in order to avoid further troubles after eating fish, it should be exceptionally fresh, with a pleasant smell.
  2. Check the fish for elasticity; when you press it with your finger, it should quickly restore its shape, and the flesh of the fish should under no circumstances be loose. Depending on the type of fish, the color can range from white to pinkish-red, but not green or yellow. The latter colors should be your warning sign when purchasing fish.

How to store fish?

Any fish is stored either in the refrigerator or frozen. In the refrigerator - up to several days, in the freezer - up to several months.

Beneficial properties of fish

You can talk about the benefits of fish for hours, they are so incommensurable and obvious. Regular consumption:

  • stabilizes metabolism, reduces cholesterol in the blood and normalizes coagulation functions;
  • significantly improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system and promotes its prevention;
  • has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system;
  • improves vision;
  • saturates the body with high-quality protein, which is reflected in the skin, skeletal system, hair, teeth;
  • normalizes thyroid function;
  • affects life expectancy.

Eating fish is especially recommended for those looking for ways to lose weight. Due to the content of unsaturated fatty acids, with regular use you can easily get rid of unnecessary kilograms. In this case, nutritionists recommend eating baked or boiled fish.

I would like to note that the healing properties of fish were successfully used in ancient medicine. For example, fish glue was used as a remedy for hemorrhage, and the fatty liver of burbot was used to remove cataracts. Severe fevers were eliminated with live tench, which was applied to the soles of the feet, and gout was treated with its meat.

Modern medicine also widely uses substances found in fish. The most popular is that obtained from cod liver. Three-spined stickleback fat is used to heal wounds. In addition, the tissues of many fish are endowed with antibacterial properties. Medicines are also made from certain types of fish.

Recent research from scientists at the University of Pittsburgh has shown that omega-3 fatty acids have a positive effect on areas of the brain associated with emotions. Moreover, the more of them in the body, the better the mood. So, get involved in fish more often, and you will become much more cheerful and optimistic.

High-quality and nutritious nutrition directly affects human health and well-being. It is necessary to regularly eat vegetables, fruits, meat products, grains and fish products. Each of these products has its own effect on the human body, and in addition to satiation, performs its function even at the cellular level. Fish is a product that is highly recommended to eat at least 2 times a week. In this article, we will look into exactly why eating freshwater fish, that is, those that live in lakes and rivers, is beneficial.

What are the benefits of river and lake fish?

Fish meat is rich in easily digestible proteins; it is not only a dietary food, but also an extremely healthy product. Protein is necessary for the growth of the body and for the creation of new tissues, in particular muscle tissue. The proteins contained in fish are necessary for athletes, people with increased physical activity, as well as for those who want to get rid of accumulated extra pounds.

By the way, it also makes sense for those losing weight to include river fish in their diet, as it activates the processes of burning subcutaneous fat, even if the fish itself is very fatty.

Fish contains quite a lot a large number of vitamins such as A, D, tocopherol. Eating freshwater fish has a positive effect on the condition of hair, skin, bones, teeth, and vision.

Freshwater fish also contains a number of microelements, such as calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc, iron, phosphorus and selenium. For our body, this is an incredible storehouse of useful substances, because thanks to them, the heart muscle is strengthened, brain function and memory are optimized, stressful conditions are neutralized, sleep improves, and the immune system is strengthened.

Eating river fish reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, thrombosis and even cancer.

Lean fish soup and steamed fish will benefit people suffering from gastritis.

The difference in taste between freshwater fish is that sea fish has a specific smell that not everyone likes.

Why should you be careful with river fish?

Also, the quality and beneficial properties of fish can undoubtedly be negatively affected by its habitat. Fish is capable of accumulating heavy metals and other dangerous substances, therefore, in order for the fish consumed as food to prolong life and improve health, you should carefully choose this product when purchasing.