What Seafood Is Healthiest and Most Environmentally Responsible? 3 Ways to Use Canned Alaska Salmon

Disclosure: This recipe and post is sponsored by Alaska Seafood. Find out more about the wild, natural, and sustainable seafood Alaska has to offer at WildAlaskaSeafood.com. 

Over the past few years I’ve felt confused when I purchase seafood. To be honest, knowing what regions are ‘safe’ to purchase fish from, or what the terms are for responsible fishing (Is wild better? Is farmed? Should everything be line caught?) felt overwhelming. And I knew if I- someone in the food industry and someone who does care a lot about environmental causes- was feeling confused, most people probably feel the same! 

But last year at a nutrition conference I learned something very simple that became my guiding premise for buying certain species of seafood (like salmon, halibut, cod. etc.): Always ask for seafood from Alaska. 

I take a lot of pride in simplifying and diving deep into confusing topics for wellness and food. In the past we’ve covered non-stick pans, CBD, MSG and more. Picking safe and healthy seafood is really a lot more simple than I realized. This is why the simple act of buying Alaska seafood is the best choice:

Alaska Seafood is guaranteed to use strict conservation practices that are better for the environment:

With over a million square miles of fishing area, the fishing industry is a huge economic part of Alaska. To protect this economic area of importance, conservation is written into the State Constitution. Specifically, it says that “fish…be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle.”

Not only that, but Alaska’s fisheries also meet all of the strict regulations of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the most comprehensive and respected fisheries management guidelines in the world. If you want to do more of a deep dive into other aspects of conservation and responsible fisheries management, there’s a great “plain English” resource that you’ll find helpful.

Alaska Seafood is a healthy choice:

Heart health: Heart disease is a big deal. It’s the leading cause of death in men and women, but the simple act of eating fish as little as once a week reduces the risk of death from coronary heart disease and fatal heart attack. The omega-3s in wild Alaska seafood can help lower triglycerides, increase good cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, reduce inflammation and reduce side effects associated with stroke. 

Immune function: The omega-3s from seafood may help reduce overactive immune responses. That means the symptoms of inflammation could be less severe (like in rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, some allergies, and digestive disorders). 

Brain health: Eating wild Alaska seafood ensures you’re getting enough omega-3s and vitamin D. This can help protect nerve cell protection and can reduce risk of developing Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. 

Pregnancy: DHA is crucial for baby’s brain, eye, immune and nervous system health.

The bottom line: 

There are so many nuances to the terms that define individual fishing and fisheries management. There are exceptions to locations that are ‘bad.’ There are terms that are unregulated that are tricky marketing choices meant to spur your buying decisions. But buying Alaska seafood is easy to remember and guarantees a good choice. 

3 Ways to Use Canned Salmon:

Canned salmon is a budget-conscious seafood choice that’s incredibly smart. Since it’s shelf-stable, it makes a great pantry staple to have on hand. And there’s a lot you can do with it! Don’t treat it just like a can of tuna. Try one of these recipes!

Salmon Breakfast Hash: A spin on breakfast that includes a heart-healthy protein! Make smashed baby potatoes and top with dill horseradish cream.

Blackened Salmon Cakes with Amazing Onion Salad Dressing: Better than crab cakes, these seasoned cakes will be a recipe you come back to again and again. We can’t stop making this dressing either. 

Simple Salmon Spread: The easiest recipe of the bunch, all you need is a food processor! While the toppings are kind of ‘bagels and lox’ inspired on this recipe, you can top it with anything (see our recommendations in the post).