Seafood has many health benefits and is now easier than ever to incorporate into everyday meal planning. Do you know that one to two servings of fish per week can have measurable health benefits according to many doctors and dieticians? This is due in large part to the omega 3 oils found in many types of seafood, including salmon, tuna and other heartier fish. Omega 3 oils are valuable in the fight against coronary disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma and depression.

What's more, seafood is one of the only types of food that contains these oils in high quantities.

Despite its many health advantages, people oftentimes do not consistently add seafood to their list of home-cooked foods. One reason may be that they believe seafood is difficult to prepare.

On the contrary; cooking seafood can be as easy as some of your standard menu items, particularly if you rely on products and recipes that will make creating winning dishes that much easier. In fact, it can be as simple as removing a fillet from an individual vacuumed package and placing it on the grill, in the oven or in the microwave.

Choosing great seafood

+ Always choose seafood that is bright, shiny, with most of its scales intact and adhering tightly to the skin. Each species has characteristic markings and colors which fade and become less pronounced as the fish loses freshness. If you do not have a seafood merchant in your area, consider seafood that has been prepared and packaged to maintain freshness and flavor.

+Try to cook fresh seafood within a day or two of purchase.

+ Seafood typically cooks faster than meats and poultry. Sometimes you can enjoy a seafood dish within minutes of cooking. Therefore, it's great in a pinch or when you're in need of a fast meal.

+ Seafood is often lighter fare than meats, making it particularly appealing for warm-weather entertaining or for the health-conscious.

Serve with your favorite vegetable or rice dish. To add a little more zest to a boring salad or pasta dish, add a cooked salmon fillet and toss.