Fresh or Wild Caught Salmon
Which is Better for You?
				
                              
          
        

          

            
Wed, 11th June 2008

            By
            Salmon of the Americas            

            

            
            The bottom line for salmon, farmed or wild, is that it is a nutritionally sound food. There are differences in
fat and Omega-3 content among the different types of salmon. But, as a high quality, low calorie protein source,
all salmon are relatively low in saturated fat and contain substantial amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. Consumer
taste buds and nutritional needs will be well served by a meal of either farmed or wild salmon.            




Wild or Farmed—Is One Better for You?

Wild salmon comprise six different species, and each has different amounts of saturated fat and omega-3. While both wild and farmed salmon contain substantial amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and both are low in saturated fat, there are differences: some species of wild salmon have a bit less omega-3 and some have quite a bit less than farmed Atlantic salmon. Likewise, one of the principal species of wild salmon has more saturated fat than farmed Atlantic salmon, while others have less. 



Omega-3 as a Percent of Total Fat

In an attempt to represent the omega-3 content of wild salmon as being greater than that of farmed salmon, the amount of omega-3 as a percent of total fat, rather than the nutritionally correct absolute value of omega-3, is sometimes used. This makes no sense in evaluating omega-3 content, as it is the absolute amount ingested that has the effect. And since all salmon is low in fat, this manipulation has no real nutritional meaning, and is misleading. Moreover, it is often used selectively for the one species of wild salmon (pink) which it makes sound better. If used with chinook, chum or coho, it would not. And, if used to compare with sockeye it would put wild salmon at a disadvantage.
            
                        


 This story was posted on Tue, 21st April 2009