Squid and Calamari

Like meat, fish and poultry, squid and octopus provide high-quality proteins with sufficient amounts of all the essential amino acids. Both have less saturated fat than meat and small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, a group that includes the essential fatty acid linolenic acid, plus ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and dicosahexanoic acid (DHA), the primary unsaturated fatty acids in oils from fish.

However, like shellfish, squid and octopus may be a significant source of cholesterol. The cholesterol content of squid and octopus can vary from animal to animal. There is no reliable guide to choosing the one that is lower in cholesterol. As a general rule, the mantle (body) generally has less cholesterol than the tentacles.
Four ounces raw squid has 1.58 g fat (0.38 g saturated fat), 266 mg cholesterol, and 17.8 g protein. Four ounces of raw octopus has 1 g fat (0.3 g saturated fat) and 54 mg cholesterol, and 17 g protein. The most nutritious way to serve this food is to prepare with little or no added fat, so as to preserve the seafood's status as a low-fat food. People who are on low-cholesterol, low-protein and low-sodium diet should avoid this food.
When buying, look for fresh whole squid with clear and smooth skin. The squid should smell absolutely fresh. Squid larger than 8 inches may be tough. Choose fresh, whole baby octopus or octopus meat that looks and smells absolutely fresh. Octopus larger than 2 to 2.5 pounds may be tough.
Always refrigerate fresh, cleaned octopus or squid immediately and use it within a day or two. Frozen squid or octopus will keep for one month in a 0 degrees F freezer.

Adverse Effects Associated with Seafood

Shellfish are one of the 12 foods most likely to cause the classic symptoms of food allergy, including upset stomach, hives and angioedema (swelling of the lips and eyes). The others are berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), chocolate, corn, eggs, fish, legumes (peas, lima beans, peanuts, soybeans), milk, nuts, peaches, pork and wheat. Like raw meat, raw shellfish may carry various pathogens, including Salmonella bacteria. These organisms are destroyed by thorough cooking. Otherwise, it will cause parasitical, viral and bacterial infections or food poisoning.

People whose blood-cholesterol levels are abnormally high are considered at risk for heart disease, but experts disagree as to the effects of dietary cholesterol on serum cholesterol. Patients with hypercholesteremia, a metabolic disorder that influences cholesterol production in the liver, may benefit from a diet low in dietary cholesterol, but there is no conclusive proof that lowering a healthy person's consumption of dietary cholesterol will significantly change the amount of cholesterol he or she produces. In 1986, the American Heart Association issued new guidelines suggesting that healthy adults reduce their consumption of fat to 30 percent of total calories and limit cholesterol intake to 300 mg per day or 100 mg per 1000 calories, whichever is less (3.5 ounces of squid or octopus have 300 mg cholesterol).

The Wonderful Health Benefits of Fish

Fish is one of the best foods for you, and has even been approved by the American Heart Association as being part of a healthy heart diet. There are more varieties of seafood than any other class of food. Tastes in seafood vary from the strong pungent taste of the English Kipper to the delicate taste of Alaskan crab. 1. Fish is high in protein. Protein is essential for maintaining and building muscle. Protein helps your body repair damaged muscle and aids you in developing muscle. 2. Fish is low in cholesterol. This is good for maintaining your blood pressure and circulation. It is also beneficial to your heart. In fact, the American Heart Association has approved fish one of the best foods for reducing heart problems. 3. Fish contains heart-healthy nutrients like Omega 3. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce cholesterol.

1. Fish is high in protein. Protein is essential for maintaining and building muscle. Protein helps your body repair damaged muscle and aids you in developing muscle. It is good for those involved with bodybuilding, muscle strengthening and lots of aerobic exercise.
2. Fish is low in cholesterol. This is good for maintaining your blood pressure and circulation. It is also beneficial to your heart. In fact, the American Heart Association has approved fish one of the best foods for reducing heart problems. They recommend that it be consumed at least twice a week.
3. Fish contains heart-healthy nutrients like Omega 3. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce cholesterol.
4. Fish is low in calories. It can help you to maintain a healthy weight.

Fish is also not that expensive compared to other restaurant foods. Seafood like tuna and crab can be used in salads and sandwiches. Gone are the days when salmon was one of the few choices for seafood lovers. Now when you walk into a seafood restaurant, your choices are endless. Of course, the wonderful taste of smoked salmon is still quite hard to beat!
There are all sorts of exotic types of fish as well. Fish like Swordfish, Sea Bass and Halibut have their own subtle taste. Don't forget freshwater mainstays like Freshwater Trout and Salmon. In some restaurants, you can even get really exotic, by eating squid and octopus. You can really make your meal an adventure - eating healthy doesn't have to be boring, bland or tasteless!
Crab is one of the most delicate of seafood tastes. It is also fun to eat. Not only was it delicious, but also intriguing to eat, with all the little tools provided to crack open the crab - not to mention how sweet the meat tasted! Of course, there is nothing like a royal Lobster gracing the center of the dining table.
Next time you're walking down the street and you smell fresh fish on the grill, give that restaurant a shot.