Menu Selections for Smart Maritime Catering Management
Nutritionists recommend at least two meals with fish a week. This is because fish and seafood deliver lean proteins and healthy fats/oils. Unfortunately, like many other land animals, sea creatures are at risk of endangerment and contamination. For this reason, catering companies should not only pick foods based on their nutritional composition, but also the farming/fishing practices behind them. The Monterey Bay Aquarium labels many of the seafood below as “Super Green,” indicating that they come from unpressured habitats, free from industrial chemicals. To round-out the list, we have also included a few common fish that maritime catering companies can easily find and order. 1 Albacore Tuna Fisherman catch this particular breed in waters near Western US and Canada. Albacore, in particular, offers plenty of health benefits because the habitat in which they live contains low levels of mercury. Generally, tuna also provides low-fat protein, vitamins B12 and D plus calcium and iron. 2 Wild Salmon Wild salmon is both healthy and environmental. Although farmed salmon offers omega-3s and vitamin D just the same, it contains twice as many saturated fats. 3 Farmed Oysters Farmed oysters contain lots of zinc—a nutrient associated with male sexual health—as well as protein and omega-3s. The Washington State Department of Health labels oysters as low-mercury, meaning maritime catering companies can safely serve them two to three times a week. 4 Dungeness Crab Wild crab from the West Coast comes from fisheries the Marine Stewardship Council deems “well-managed,” meaning there are fewer pollutants and dangers to the environment/sea life. 5 Shrimp Known as a low-calorie shellfish, shrimp boasts high levels of iodine with low levels of fat, making it the perfect side dish or appetizer.
6 Rainbow Trout
Farmed trout avoids many of the pollutants wild trout is exposed to, though open-net cages pose a risk to fresh-water lakes. Nevertheless, trout offers many omgega-3s and vitamin B12. The same can be said for Atlantic Mackerel.
7 Farmed Mussels
Rich in iron and zinc, mussels are an alternative to responsibly grown tuna and salmon. Scallops, a type of mussel, are high in protein as well. Due to low levels of contamination, maritime catering management companies can prepare these multiple times a week without raising chemical concerns.
8 Pacific Halibut
Like many others on this list, halibut nearly satisfies the daily recommended intake of omega-3 at only 2 grams of fat per serving. As well, halibut contains potassium and vitamin D. Maritime caterers should avoid Atlantic halibut because of overfishing and limit how often trout is consumed due to high levels of mercury.
9 Sablefish
Sometimes called black cod, sablefish offers omega-3 and a large supply of selenium, a mineral that works to protect cells in the body from damage.
