Wild Caught VS Farm Raised Salmon

Salmon is one of my favorites. I like it not only because it's tasty and easy to cook, it's outstanding from a nutritional standpoint too.

It's a rich protein and omega-3 source that experts recommend eating at least once a week.

In fact, it tops the list of best protein sources that pack a big punch of omega-3's. Omega-3's are the kind of fat that most diets are lacking.

Omega- 3 fats help improve heart and brain health, prevent diseases and fight inflammation. Your body cannot make this type of fat, which is why it is also an ”essential fat”.

But, before you go all in on salmon, here are a few things you should know.

3 Reasons to Never Eat Farm Raised Salmon

No doubt, it costs less, and easy to shop your salmon from your supermarket shelves. But, believe me, you will do more harm than good to your health by eating it.

Why?

GMO: You are risking your health by eating salmon fed with genetically modified ingredients. Farm raised salmon get fed on soy, corn, chemical coloring and synthetic compounds.

Poor omega-3 levels: Farmed fish have low levels of omega-3 fats. This is because of the type of food they eat. A salmon that lives in the ocean has access to many natural resources and algae eating fish.

This helps them make and store enough omega-3 fats under their scales. Whereas, the omega 3 levels of farmed raised fish is dependent on its feed.

Contaminants: The hygiene and environmental conditions of farm-bred salmons come under heavy questioning. Fish tend to accumulate contaminants in their fatty layers.

Farmed fish in particular can absorb contaminants like dioxins, pesticides used in farm water.

This makes it unfit for eating and is a clear danger to your health. An environmental research study found that farmed salmon carried more pollutants.

Go for Wild Caught Salmon – Why?

Superior nutrition: Wild caught salmon has far more superior nutrition than farmed salmon. This is because wild caught salmon do not eat grain based feed like farmed ones.

They eat krill and a variety of tiny fishes that live on algae. As a result, they have better omega-3 levels.

Natural Astaxanthin source: Wild caught salmon are a superior source of the antioxidant astaxanthin. Salmon eat fish that feed on the algae that produce this red pigment.

Astaxanthin, is a powerful antioxidant.

Farmed raised salmon get synthetic astaxanthin in their feed. Synthetic astaxanthin from farmed fish do not have the same benefits.

Okay, How Do I Shop for Wild Caught?

No worries, I got you covered on this.

Choose sockeyed salmon: Sockeyed salmon are bound to be wild and cannot be farmed. Also, the flesh of the sockeyed type is bright red.

This is because they accumulate high levels of the pigment astaxanthin in their body.

Look for ”Alaskan”: Look for the label ”Alaskan” on your salmon package.  Canned salmon with Alaskan on its label is usually a good bet too but you still want to read those labels to rule out additives.

Taste: Wild salmon, tastes better than farmed ones. Its flesh is firmer and the taste is more pronounced. But, you can tell the difference only if you have tasted a wild caught one before.

So by all means, enjoy salmon, but be sure to choose deep sea, wild caught salmon.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your friends who love salmon and don't forget to leave me a comment below!