National Pescatarian Month Promotes Three Seafood Servings Weekly
The 7th annual October celebration from the National Seafood Association offers simple, affordable ways to meet recommendations for three weekly seafood servings.
The National Seafood Association is marking its seventh annual National Pescatarian Month this October, aiming to encourage increased seafood consumption. The initiative, promoted through the organization's Dish on Fish blog, provides resources and recipes to help home cooks incorporate fish and shellfish into their diets more regularly.
Recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans now recommend three servings of seafood per week, emphasizing its nutritional benefits, including omega-3 fatty acids. Data from the CDC indicates that a significant portion of the U.S. population has low omega-3 levels, highlighting the public health relevance of promoting seafood intake.
"Eating seafood three times a week can sound like a big change, but it doesn't have to be," stated Rima Kleiner, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian-nutritionist involved with Dish on Fish. "Start by swapping seafood into meals you already enjoy, like adding shrimp to tacos or canned tuna to salads. It can become a protein you automatically reach for."
The campaign emphasizes that incorporating seafood can be convenient and cost-effective. Frozen and canned options are highlighted as easy weeknight solutions. Dish on Fish offers inspiration through recipes, meal plans, and an e-cookbook designed to simplify seafood preparation.
National Pescatarian Month coincides with National Seafood Month in October, uniting industry, health professionals, and consumers in promoting the benefits and accessibility of seafood.