Fish and Seafood
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Fish and Seafood in Canada

Being surrounded by Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and being a home to the Great Lakes, it is not surprising that fish and seafood industry is an important part of economy in Canada. Canada’s waters contain more than 160 species of fish and shellfish and this diversity can satisfy the demand for fish all over the world. In fact, Canada is one of the largest exporters of fish and seafood products in the word. And what is even more important, the buyers can be sure about the highest quality standards of fish and seafood imported from Canada. Firstly, it is harvested from some of the cleanest waters in the world, and secondly, it undergoes the most vigorous control to insure the best quality. All this might sounds a little bit like an advertising campaign, but that is just what fish and seafood products in Canada are about.

However, fish and seafood are not merely a prosaic part of the country’s economy. Fish is a great source of vital nutrients. Nearly everyone can find a type of fish or seafood they cooked the way they like. In addition, fish is part of Canadian multiculturalism. It would hard to find a cuisine that does not have at least one national dish made of fish or seafood. In the past decade healthy eating came into a particularly sharp focus. Keeping a healthy a lifestyle is not just about giving up tobacco or alcohol, it is also about having a healthy diet. One may thing that diet is a tiresome and troublesome business indeed. But when it comes to fish, one does not have to look further. Fish and other marine life are natural sources of the nutrients most people need the most.

Canadian salmon is one of the most splendid, wide spread and perhaps beloved fish. Most Canadian wild salmon comes from the coast of British Columbia. Salmon makes a great ingredient for all sorts of appetisers, salads and main courses. Salmon, similarly to other kinds of fish, gives your body such vital nutrients as omega-3s, lean proteins, vitamins including B and D, iron, calcium and many more. Moreover, there is no substitute for omega-3s contained in fish. Although omega-3s can be found in such plants as walnuts, canola oil and flaxseeds, human body usually has a hard time converting plant-based omega-3. This makes salmon along with other fish and seafood products a healthy and nutritious food. In fact, one of the great things about fish is that there is no such thing as “too much fish”. The goal is to eat fish or seafood 2-3 times a week, but one does not have to stop there.

Another great thing about fish is that it is easy to cook. Salmon is a particularly good example of how easy it is to cook fish. It can be roasted, broiled, grilled, sautéed, poached, braised, or even not cooked at all. Smoked salmon can be particularly delicious. You can find more ideas for cooking fish here.

To conclude, even if you are not particularly fond of fish at this point, it might be worth trying it again. There are so many types of fish and seafood and so many option of cooking it that at least one of them will appeal to you in the end.

  • Fish and Seafood in Toronto (GTA)

In Toronto (GTA), Fish and seafood products are widely used in its' multi-cultural food market. Both nutritional and dietetic, fish and seafood products have become a popular choice for weight watchers, health conscious people and gourmet lovers. Delicious both as appetizers, main course and in soups and salads, fish and seafood products are a hot trend in restaurants around the different cuisines of Toronto (GTA). For our listing of Fish and Seafood Products Suppliers in Toronto click here.

In a stressful city like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA, Toronto) eating healthy is essential to overall well being. Seafood and Fish is a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals as well as many varieties of seafood are also low in sodium and cholesterol, that is why fish and seafood products are highly recommended for people who want to lead a healthier lifestyle. It is also crucial for kids who need the protein and the nutrition to build a strong body to integrate enough fish and seafood products in their diet.

Toronto is a city that strives on its wide selection of restaurants and cuisines. Fish and seafood products in Toronto (GTA) are an indispensable part of any menu, starting from Sushi to Mediterranean, European, North American cuisines and pretty much any other cuisine.

Next time you dine out, order a plate with quality fish and seafood and enjoy a mouth watering dish that is also good for you!

Seafood allergy

As with many other products, one has to be very careful with fish and seafood in case they are allergic to them. If you did not have seafood in childhood, it does not mean you cannot have it when you get older. This type if allergy is much more common among adult and it is more likely to develop later in life. If a child has been diagnosed with fish or seafood allergy, it is more likely that he or she is going to have this allergy for life. It is also possible to be allergic to one type of fish and not to other or be allergic to shellfish but to molluscs (scallops, oysters and mussels). In order to make sure one has to undergo a skin prick test. In addition, the process of canning tuna or salmon sometimes changes the fish protein enough that fish-allergic individuals can tolerate these canned products.

People who have fish, shellfish or seafood allergy may be warned against iodine, which is present in nearly all marine products, including seaweed. However, iodine is not related to allergic reactions. It is protein that acts as an allergen. Symptoms of seafood allergy tend to appear within minutes of eating it, but it may take up to two hours. Symptoms may include skin reactions, itching and watering of eyes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Coughing, constricted breathing, runny nose, swelling of lips, tongue or face are also among the common symptoms. Seafood allergy can be severe enough to cause anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency which required an immediate medical help.

Unfortunately, there are no ways for curing seafood allergy. One can only avoid eating types of fish and seafood that induce allergy. Patients who have particularly severe allergy must consult their doctor about epinephrine (adrenaline) autoinjectors, also known as EpiPens, which they have to carry around at all times. There is also a list of dishes which contain seafood. Caesar salad dressing, for instance, normally contains anchovies and so does Worcestershire sauce. Menhaden is a type of fish caught along the Atlantic coast. It is used in products such as vitamins, soap, lipstick, paint, insect spray, and waterproofing. Oriental food often contains several types of fish and seafood, but they may be chopped so finely that they are difficult to spot. Oriental sauce may contain some sorts of seafood as well.

Shellfish, fish and seafood seem to contain really strong allergens. People who do not have seafood allergy as such, but work in a constant close contact with seafood may suffer from skin diseases, asthma and conjunctivitis. Very often people are forced to change their employment due to the severity of symptoms, but even five years after symptoms may still persist. To sum up, if you are trying some type of fish or seafood for the first time, it might be wise to go slowly. If no reaction occurs within 15-30 minutes after eating some it is relatively safe to carry on. One also has to remember that seafood allergy may develop later in adulthood.

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