Seafood Swap: Adding Seafood to Your Weekly Menu

Are you looking to eat better this year and striving to add some variety to your diet, but struggle with preparing the same meals every week? Why not try substituting seafood for one or more types of protein in your meals? Although altering your diet may seem like an intimidating task, all it takes is implementing a few small changes over time. While you may feel like a fish out of water when it comes to seafood, you can check out the five tips below for assistance.

Flavorful Portions

If you are trying to avoid extra fat and calories, you should  stay away from frying or breading your seafood. Try other methods such as grilling, baking, broiling, and roasting. You can use flavorings and spices such as paprika, chili powder, cumin, or lemon juice to bring  extra flavor to your seafood without  adding salt. You can also visit your local Publix and pick up one of our Seafood Cook-in-Bag Dinners. Our chefs created several recipes with flavorful and unique ingredients that are assembled  fresh in the store for your convenience. All you have to do is take it home and follow the simple cooking instructions!

Get Creative

Adding different types of seafood into your diet doesn’t have to be boring. There are several ways to prepare any seafood. Instead of the usual fish fillet, you can try grilled fish tacos, pasta and shrimp, or you can add seafood to your favorite salad. The options are endless! If you’re looking for any new seafood recipes, you can view hundreds of our Aprons seafood recipes for some great ideas.

Dining on a Budget

Supplementing your diet with seafood doesn’t have to break the bank. There are several cost-conscious options, including tilapia, frozen seafood, and canned tuna. Not only is canned or packaged tuna inexpensive, it is also very convenient

for a meal on the go. If you’re looking for fresh options, we have those too! All of the fin fish on display in our Seafood department is guaranteed fresh and has never been frozen. Our stores offer both frozen and fresh seafood options, depending on availability and season. If you desire  a particular fish, our seafood associates will be happy to find it for you. If it’s not something we regularly carry, our associates will be able to assist you with placing  an order. For more info on what is available through our Reel Variety Program, you can check the calendar on our website.

Safety is Key

Ensuring that your food is cooked thoroughly is paramount. Any seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure that you check clams, oysters, and mussels before they are cooked. You will also want to dispose of any shells that did not open after they have been cooked as they may be unsafe to consume. You can view more information on preparing and cooking mussels here. Shrimp, lobster, and scallops are a milky white color when they are thoroughly cooked.

Now that we’ve given you a few ways to add variety to your meals, do you have any tips or tricks for incorporating seafood to your weekly routine? Share them in the comments below!