Here's A Super-Nutritious Protein Source You May Have Missed!

I often hear people say they're struggling to find ways to get more protein into their diet.

The New York Times recently pointed out that we may have overlooked an excellent protein source.

Shellfish, specifically bivalves like clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops are nutrition-packed and their farming is good for the environment.

Clams and oysters are some of the most nutrient-rich critters on the planet, just behind small fish like sardines and anchovies.

Mussels top the nutrition list. One serving delivers a day's worth of vitamin B12 and omega 3 fatty acids and three-quarters of our zinc and iron. Next on the nutrition list are oysters, followed by clams and scallops.

With bivalve seafood, you get the benefit of what they don't have--mercury (tuna), bycatch (shrimp), or pesticides (salmon ponds).

Bivalve farming boosts the environment

Aquaculture of bivalves is highly sustainable, not requiring fertilizers, pesticides, or even food--they find their own meals and clean the water while doing it.

Clams and oysters pull carbon from the water, which helps the climate. Shellfish growers frequently advocate for clean water regulations in their communities because they can't farm in dirty water.

There are a few considerations...

🦪 Look for products from the US, which are strictly regulated.

🦪 Choose bivalves with closed shells. If a clam, oyster, or mussel is open, tap it to see if it closes. If it doesn’t, don’t buy it; it may have been dead for a while.

🦪 Sniff it. If it smells bad, don’t eat it. Make sure it’s been stored in a cold place.

🦪 Whether or not there's an "R" in the month, raw oysters can contain harmful bacteria. Rarely there've been instances of contamination in bivalves caused by algal blooms or sewage releases but they're carefully monitored in the US.

🦪 Allergies are another concern. Bivalves aren’t closely related to crustaceans like lobsters and shrimp. But they contain some similar allergens, like the protein tropomyosin, which can trigger reactions.

Try frozen or canned varieties

Canned shellfish may be a little lower in some nutrients but higher in others. (Be sure to check where it came from.)

Toss clams into spaghetti sauce and make a quick Spaghetti With Red Clam Sauce.

Or if you have a little more time, try Spaghetti alle Vongole.

You can find surprisingly inexpensive options in the frozen seafood department at the grocery store.

Aldi has frozen mussels in tomato sauce that I keep in the freezer for when I need a protein option in a pinch--and they only cost about $3! Even better, they're ready after just a few minutes in the microwave.

Be adventurous and let me know what you discover!