Believe it or not, fish is one of the most neglected food choices.

I’m sure it may have something to do with the stench of fresh fish being cooked, or maybe it’s the strong fishy flavor that pushes the many non-fish lovers away.

Whatever the case, there are many benefits to eating fish, but not enough people eating it!

Most of my clients turn their nose up when I bring up fish, and then I have a few that say they don’t mind it and would like to eat more fish, but admit that always chose other sources of lean protein instead.

I find that most people who don’t enjoy eating fish are those that don’t know how to make it tasty. Just because fish has a strong aroma when fresh doesn’t mean it has to taste that way.

How much fish do I need in my diet?

It’s important to make fish a part of your meals at least two times each week considering the cardiovascular and brain functioning benefits fish provides.

Fish is considered a healthy protein, but it also carries an essential fat called Omega 3. There are many different types of fish that include Omega 3 fatty acids, but your best sources include: Salmon, Tuna, and Mackeral.

If you’re not a fish lover, and you can’t bear the taste, you can always take the alternative route and take a fish oil supplement each day. This will help ensure your body receives proper intake of Omega 3.

Other options of Omega 3’s include avocado, walnuts, flaxseed, and canola oil. Your best source will come from fish; therefore, I suggest giving fish another chance.

Tips for Cooking Fish at Home

Try the following when cooking fish:

1. Place fillets in a baking dish with a small amount of water.
2. Season the fish with a few of your favorite seasonings. I prefer lemon pepper, because it gives the fish a punch!
3. Cut limes, lemons, and oranges and place around and on top of fish in baking dish. I always squeeze the fruit for the extra fruit juice and pour over the fish. If you don’t have time to cut the fruit, you can skip this step and use lemon juice instead.
4. Bake your fish fillets at 350º for 20 minutes. Your fish may not always take this long to cook — it really depends on the type of fish and the oven. You can always be certain by checking to see if the fillet easily peels back when a fork is wracked across it showing the meat to be white colored. 
5. Fish is always delicious when paired with quinoa, couscous, or brown rice along with a nice green salad!