Sometimes people get so focused on whether or not fish is healthy that they forget about which types of fish are! There are several different kinds of fish you can eat, including some that are considered controversial. One such fish is the flounder.
Many people have strong opinions about the flounder. Some say it is unhealthy because it contains high levels of mercury, while others believe it to be natural medicine.
This article will talk about the nutritional value of the flounder as well as some health benefits of this fish. If you are looking to add more omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, then start eating the flounder!
Disclaimer
The content in this article should not be used to make any decisions regarding your health or lifestyle. This information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable at time of writing, but we make no warranty as to the accuracy of the information herein.
Is The Flounder A Healthy Fish?
It depends what part of the flounder you are talking about! When discussing overall healthfulness, yes, the flounder is very much a healthier choice than most other whitefish.
However, when it comes to limiting exposure to harmful substances like mercury, then perhaps the flounder is not the best choice.
Does The Flounder Contain High Levels Of Mercury?
Yes, the flounder does contain small amounts of methylmercury, an extremely toxic form of mercury.
High in omega-3s
This little fish has gotten a lot of attention over the past few years as people suggest it can help improve heart health. Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally occurring fats that we get from eating vegetables like spinach, nuts, and seafood.
Most experts agree that omega-3s reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by improving blood lipid profiles and lowering blood pressure. But is flounder really the golden rod that everyone seems to be talking about?
While some studies claim that eating six ounces or more of any type of whitefish every week may prevent heart attacks and strokes, other studies find no such effect.
So what’s the truth? While there isn’t enough high quality research to prove whether or not eating six ounces per week of any kind of whitefish will keep you healthy, we do know that too much red meat can increase your risk of CVD.
That’s why I recommend limiting yourself to two servings (six ounces total) of cooked beef, pork, or chicken per month. If you already eat this amount, try to choose lower fat varieties like lean hamburger, low-fat bacon, or grilled chicken instead of regular ground bison or rib steak.
Low in mercury
As mentioned earlier, flounders are not a fish that many people enjoy eating. This is mostly due to their strong smell and taste, which some find off-putting.
However, this isn’t always the case! In fact, there are several ways to prepare flounders so they can be more likelier to eat than you might think!
First, make sure to wash them thoroughly under running water. Next, cut up your flounder into thin strips or chunks and soak in either salted boiling water or melted butter.
After that, season with salt and pepper and cook until done somewhere between half an hour and one hour depending on how much meat you want to get out of it.
The best way to serve cooked flounder is by putting it onto a plate, dipping each piece of fish in olive oil and then rolling it in fresh cracked black peppercorns. Let sit for another few minutes and then roll again in sea salt before serving.
This process helps blend in the flavor and also gives the fish a slightly crispy texture. If you don’t have access to these things, just use plain old olive oil and sea salt instead!
Overall, though, I would say that even if you hate flounder you should give it a try at least once.
A classic combination
There are several reasons why eating flounder is good for you. Most notably, it is rich in essential omega-3 fats that help keep your heart healthy. These include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Omega-3s reduce blood clotting and improve cardiovascular health. Because flounders are an oily fish, they pack their fat content very densely, which makes them high in oleic acid — one of the most abundant types of oil found in plants.
This may be what gives flounder its unique flavor and texture. Although other fishes’ oils contain similar amounts of these healthier oils, none of them taste as good as flounder!
If you are looking to increase your intake of omega-3s, try cooking up some pan-fried or broiled flounder. Just make sure to choose plain white bread instead of wheat bread to avoid too much carbohydrate.
Popularity of flounder
This little fish has made quite the splash in the culinary world, and with good reason! Not only is it delicious when cooked properly, but eating enough flounders can help improve your overall health.
Flounder contains high levels of omega-3 fats, which have many important functions in our bodies. These include helping to keep our skin healthy, improving blood circulation, reducing inflammation and helping prevent heart disease and some types of cancer.
Certain foods that are rich in omega-3s may also reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety. Having adequate supplies of these essential nutrients helps promote mental wellness.
However, like any other food group, too much omega-3 intake is not recommended because you can become deficient. Reducing the amount of fat in your diet is one way to achieve this balance.
The USDA recommends limiting individual sources of omega-3s to 1 gram per day. A serving size of 2–4 ounces (50–100 grams) of white meat flounder meets this recommendation.
Ways to cook flounder
Cooking flounder can be tricky because it likes to curl up when done, so how you prepare it makes a big difference! Luckily, there are many ways to cook this fish.
Most people fry it or broil it whole. When frying, make sure to only put in enough oil to coat the entire piece of flounder- not more! This could cause burning or charred flakes which are both not desirable.
When baking it as a fillet, cut it into thinner pieces so it will bake faster. Make sure to season it properly before cooking though, otherwise it may taste raw.
Flounder in salads
Although most people associate flounders with being breaded and fried, they are actually an excellent source of protein! Depending on the size, you can either eat it as is or cook it and put it into a salad.
Since they grow in layers, there are several different parts of the fish that contain different levels of flavor and texture. The bones add some additional flavor, while the skin adds some crispness.
If you like strong flavors, then maybe just eating the belly meat alone is enough, but if not then try to include more of the other pieces of the fish. People often mix the white part with tomatoes and lettuce for a packed taste of omega-rich vegetables and protein.
**Note: Because this article mentions possible health benefits, please do your research before adding too much flounder to your diet.
Flounder in soups
Many people complain that flounders are expensive, but if you buy it right, you’ll find that it is worth its cost. Flounders can be tough to cook properly because they contain bone. When cooking flounder as part of a soup or stir-fry, your butcher will usually slice it into thin strips for you so that it does not need to be cooked longer than other ingredients.
These thinner pieces taste better and do not take too long to cook either. The bones help keep the fish meat tender when eating it, and their flavor blends well with other spices used in the recipe. If you would like to avoid consuming these bones, then do not eat fluke (or sole) until it is very close to being done already.
Once it is almost completely cooked through, remove it from the stove and let it cool down slightly before serving it.
Flounder in sandwiches
The word “flounder” comes from the French flon, which means to dive or plunge. In fact, it is possible to make your lunch using only flounder as an ingredient!
A few years ago, there was a huge controversy about whether or not white fish like flounder are healthier than other types of meat. Some say that they are just as unhealthy because they are loaded with fat. Others believe that whitefish has less cholesterol and fewer calories than red meats.
There is some truth to this, but very little. Most people are wrong if they think that white fish is always the best choice.
In fact, according to the Harvard Health Department, most types of white fish can be just as harmful as other heavier foods. People who eat heavy amounts of white fish run the risk of consuming too much mercury.
This could have negative effects on their health such as brain damage, heart disease, and diabetes. So even though plain-looking old flounder may look healthy, don’t rely on looks alone!
Never mind how delicious the sandwich may taste, what kind of food you’re eating can matter more than what flavor it has.
