Yesterdays blog talked about whether or not to buy organic meat....is it worth the extra money or not. Well, today let's talk about fish because most people do not realize what they're getting when they eat fish. Now, I don't want to sound so negative about food...you are probably saying to yourself, "what does she want us to eat?" Not to worry, I will help you along the way, but I feel it's so important to let people know WHY I choose not to eat animal products, fish included.
FISH AND SEAFOOD...
The USDA has not set any organic standards for fish and seafood, so the current problems with contaminants in fish may very well still exist in any fish product this is called organic.
The problem with fish is they absorb contaminants as the water around them passes over their gills. Many of these chemicals do not break down but dissolve easily in oils and can accumulate in the fatty tissues of the fish. Chemicals, such as PCBs have been linked to various ailments in the children of women who consumed fish contaminated with PCBs during pregnancy. These include low birth weight, neurological and cognitive development problems. PCBs were originally used as electrical insulators and hydraulic fluids before they were banned in the US in 1979, but their impact lives on. According to the National Research Council, PCBs are found in every site where fish have been tested. As a matter of fact, fish is the most SIGNIFICANT SOURCE of both PCBs and mercury for humans today.
Mercury causes neurological development problems and can cross the placenta of pregnant women. Mercury enters the environment naturally and through pollution from industries. Nearly all fish contain methyl mercury, but older, larger fish that feed on other fish, such as shark or swordfish, accumulate extremely high amounts of mercury. These fish are dangerous to people who eat them. In January of 2001, the FDA issued a warning that pregnant women should not eat four types of seafood--swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish due to their astronomically high levels of mercury. Also worth mentioning is DDT and DDE, banned pesticides, are known to be extremely toxic to humans, are still in the environment and are consumed by eating fish.
Based on the above information, pregnant or not, I do think ANYONE should be eating fish. The risk in my mind is just too high.
So to wrap up yesterdays blog concerning organic meats, and todays information on fish, organic standards may help to improve keeping out antibiotics and hormones in animal products and fish, BUT, it cannot keep the toxic chemicals out of fish, and for those eating animal products, eating organic cannot prevent obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and many forms of cancer.
A plant-based diet that is naturally low in carcinogens, pathogens, and disease causing fat and cholesterol is the best medicine for promoting a healthy life. As I have said repeatedly, eating this way can be done one step at a time, one meal at a time or just jump right in to it with both feet. No matter what way you choose to go you will be headed in the right direction.
Remember, there are so many websites available to us with hundreds of recipes. Of course my favorites are: straightupfood.com,, VegKitchen.com, and two new sites a friend sent me yesterday that look really good are: newparadigmhealthcookery.com and fatfreevegan.com. There are so many to choose from....
Since the weekend is almost here, try some different recipes, you might be surprised how delicious they are! Most of the ingredients are found right in your neighborhood grocery store...so give them a try and tell me what your favorites are so I can try them too!!
FISH AND SEAFOOD...
The USDA has not set any organic standards for fish and seafood, so the current problems with contaminants in fish may very well still exist in any fish product this is called organic.
The problem with fish is they absorb contaminants as the water around them passes over their gills. Many of these chemicals do not break down but dissolve easily in oils and can accumulate in the fatty tissues of the fish. Chemicals, such as PCBs have been linked to various ailments in the children of women who consumed fish contaminated with PCBs during pregnancy. These include low birth weight, neurological and cognitive development problems. PCBs were originally used as electrical insulators and hydraulic fluids before they were banned in the US in 1979, but their impact lives on. According to the National Research Council, PCBs are found in every site where fish have been tested. As a matter of fact, fish is the most SIGNIFICANT SOURCE of both PCBs and mercury for humans today.
Mercury causes neurological development problems and can cross the placenta of pregnant women. Mercury enters the environment naturally and through pollution from industries. Nearly all fish contain methyl mercury, but older, larger fish that feed on other fish, such as shark or swordfish, accumulate extremely high amounts of mercury. These fish are dangerous to people who eat them. In January of 2001, the FDA issued a warning that pregnant women should not eat four types of seafood--swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish due to their astronomically high levels of mercury. Also worth mentioning is DDT and DDE, banned pesticides, are known to be extremely toxic to humans, are still in the environment and are consumed by eating fish.
Based on the above information, pregnant or not, I do think ANYONE should be eating fish. The risk in my mind is just too high.
So to wrap up yesterdays blog concerning organic meats, and todays information on fish, organic standards may help to improve keeping out antibiotics and hormones in animal products and fish, BUT, it cannot keep the toxic chemicals out of fish, and for those eating animal products, eating organic cannot prevent obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and many forms of cancer.
A plant-based diet that is naturally low in carcinogens, pathogens, and disease causing fat and cholesterol is the best medicine for promoting a healthy life. As I have said repeatedly, eating this way can be done one step at a time, one meal at a time or just jump right in to it with both feet. No matter what way you choose to go you will be headed in the right direction.
Remember, there are so many websites available to us with hundreds of recipes. Of course my favorites are: straightupfood.com,, VegKitchen.com, and two new sites a friend sent me yesterday that look really good are: newparadigmhealthcookery.com and fatfreevegan.com. There are so many to choose from....
Since the weekend is almost here, try some different recipes, you might be surprised how delicious they are! Most of the ingredients are found right in your neighborhood grocery store...so give them a try and tell me what your favorites are so I can try them too!!
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