{"id":1161548,"date":"2023-11-10T12:18:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T11:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asc-aqua.org\/?post_type=blog&p=1161548"},"modified":"2024-10-16T10:14:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T08:14:13","slug":"seafood-vs-meat-what-will-give-me-the-most-protein","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/asc-aqua.org\/blog\/seafood-vs-meat-what-will-give-me-the-most-protein\/","title":{"rendered":"Seafood vs Meat: what will give me the most protein?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Trying to eat a protein-packed diet? Whether seafood or meat is the best choice will undoubtedly have crossed your mind. Should you be team fish, reeling in the benefits of marine protein, or should chicken or beef be your go-to? It can feel like a meal-planning minefield when you want to be sure you’re making healthy choices for yourself and your family.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this blog we’re looking at the quantity of protein in different seafood and meat options so that next time you shop, you know which will give you the best bang for your bite. We’re going to focus solely on the nutritional side of the seafood v meat debate, but if you’d like to delve into the environmental impact of farming meat versus farming seafood, take a look <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is protein so important, and where can I find it?<\/h3>\n

Protein plays <\/span>several different roles in the body<\/span><\/a>. Our cells need it to grow and repair themselves, and it contributes to the healthy development of muscles and bones. Protein also helps <\/span>boost immunity<\/span><\/a> and works with the carbohydrates in our diet to <\/span>maintain steady blood sugar levels<\/span><\/a> and a continuous supply of energy to the body.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we eat protein, from any source, the body breaks it down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein itself. It then re-assembles those amino acids into whichever type of protein it needs at that specific time. There are more than 20 different amino acids needed in the body, 9 of which – known as <\/span>essential amino acids<\/span><\/a> – we can’t produce ourselves, which is why we need to eat protein as part of our diet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Protein can be found in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Plant proteins such as nuts, soya, and legumes (peas, beans and lentils) are also great sources. The <\/span>recommended amount of protein<\/span><\/a> for an adult to consume per day is 0.75g per kilo of body weight; this averages at around 56g per day for men and 45g per day for women.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Seafood protein vs animal protein: how do they compare?<\/h3>\n

A note before we look at protein quantities. To gauge the health benefits of a food we need to look not just at the amount of protein it contains, but at what else eating it will put into the body (fat, carbohydrates, fibre etc), to give us a holistic view of that food. So just because something has a high protein level it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthy choice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meat and seafood are both excellent sources of what’s called <\/span>complete protein<\/span><\/a>, which means they contain all 10 essential amino acids that need to come from our diets. Where they differ is in the amount of fat, and specifically saturated fat, found within them. Let’s look at a breakdown of nutrients within some common protein sources:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n