If you have problems baiting your line this spring and summer, fear not - Hy-Vee has your back! Hy-Vee has recently achieved its sustainable seafood goal: 100 percent of Hy-Vee’s fresh and private-label frozen seafood now comes from responsible sources! Communications Vice President Tara Deering-Hansen put it perfectly: “Hy-Vee’s intent is to sell high-quality seafood that is not only safe for consumption but also harvested or raised in a manner that provides for its long-term viability while minimizing damage to the environment and other sea life.”
Hy-Vee didn’t achieve this goal on its own though. The company worked closely with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program to determine better sources of salmon. Hy-Vee also partnered with FishWise, an environmental nonprofit that promotes the health and recovery of ocean ecosystems through environmentally and socially responsible business practices. “Hy-Vee’s sustainability mission is to protect ocean resources and do business in a manner that promotes the well-being of our customers, employees, communities and the global environment,” said Hy-Vee’s vice president of meat and seafood operations, Greg Frampton.
As Hy-Vee dietitians, we often see fearful customer faces when talking about eating and making fish. According to the American Heart Association, two to three servings of seafood per week can offer big health benefits such as maintaining brain health and reducing the risk of heart disease by 30 percent. A serving of fish is 3 to 4 ounces, or the size and width of a woman’s palm. Seafood contains healthy nutrients such as omega-3 fats which benefit the heart, brain, eyes and can help lower your triglycerides! Fish also contains iron, B-vitamins and less saturated fat than other sources of protein foods.
Still not convinced you should be eating seafood? Start with salmon; it is one of the easiest to prepare and people often love the taste! Start by rinsing your salmon and patting it dry. Brush each piece with a small amount of vegetable or olive oil. The cook time for salmon depends on cooking method and thickness, but it usually cooks very quickly. If broiling, cook 2-1/2 minutes for every 1/4 inch thickness. Bake salmon 4 to 6 minutes for every 1/2 inch of meat. When grilling your salmon, cook for 10 minutes for every inch of thickness. Try an easy marinade of 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper on your salmon with any of these cooking methods. Try your salmon on a leafy green salad, in tacos or with your favorite pasta dish for a whole meal.
Feeling more adventurous? Try this delicious Curried Shrimp and Potato Kebab recipe.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
