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Smoked Salmon Nutrition

Albertina Roca
  |   January 15, 2015   |  

Health and your Heart:  Smoked Salmon Nutrition 

There is no magic health pill, but if there was, it would certainly list salmon as an ingredient. Studies have established that a diet rich in fish, especially fatty fish (fish with a high fat content) is crucial to the well-being and health of individuals. Learn all about smoked salmon nutrtion and smoked salmon calories and make informed, healthy gourmet choices.

Don’t run away screaming when we say the word ‘fat’. In this case, fat doesn’t equal flab. That’s because we’re talking about Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are ‘healthy’ fat, responsible for health benefits such as:

  • lowering blood pressure
  • lowering triglyceride (fat in the blood) levels
  • reducing the risk of blood clots

Omega-3 acids are the building blocks of nerve tissue and brain cells, so it is crucial to add them to our diet. Since salmon has a high fat content, it stores more of these miracle fatty acids in its flesh, therefore providing the most benefits to the consumer.

The Journal of the American Medical Association, the watch-dog of America’s health, established back in 1995 that a healthy diet should include at least one serving of a fatty-fish per week, to reduce the risk of cardiac arrests and certain cancers. This not only is important for individuals at risk, but also those with a history of heart problems, since it can reduce the risk of arrhythmia, or irregular heart beats, according to Dr. David Siscovick, from the University of Seattle’s Cardiovascular Health Research Unit. The American Heart Association’s guidelines indicate that fish high in omega-3s, like salmon, should be consumed at least twice a week (even more if you have a history of heart disease or problems).

Role in weight-loss diets & more

Doctors, nutritionists, fitness gurus, and probably about any person you know who is on a healthy weight-loss diet, literally can’t stop singing the praises this peachy-pink treat. Because smoked salmon is widely available at restaurants, as well as social events (brunch, anyone?), this food is the dieters’ dream. You can find smoked salmon appetizers just about anywhere you eat out, so it makes a perfect ‘dining out on a diet’ solution. You are no longer left with a plateful of flavorless, crunchy broccoli. 

Runner’s World's Nutrition Editor Dr. Liz Applegate maintains that while salmon is high in fat, it is unsaturated fat, which helps lower cholesterol, giving salmon nutrtion the thumbs up. In a world of expanding waistlines and contracting arteries, this is good news. According to Leslie Beck, a registered dietitian and author of Leslie Beck’s Nutrition Guide for Women, a diet which includes foods high in omega-3 fatty acids contributes to reducing inflammation and joint pain. For those who are conscious of their health, and very active, whether at work or recreational, including smoked salmon can have many post-workout benefits (not to mention that it’s incredibly delicious).

Feeling a little blue? A little smoked salmon can help lift your spirits, since researchers have found that omega-3s can help stabilize mood. Scared about breast cancer? A study based on Japanese women, whose diet is based on high consumption of food, reported that they have a much lower incidence of breast cancer than Western women. In the Greenland Eskimo population, whose diet is mainly salmon-based, observations have established a low incidence of coronary heart disease.

Presumed risks

Although recent information appearing in the prestigious journal Science has created huge controversy over certain risks associated with pollutants in the water getting to salmon, these risks have yet to be well established, and are largely based on animal studies. Also, the main risk comes from farmed European salmon. Unless you are at high risks of certain cancers, for now, the benefits of salmon far outweigh the risks, especially if you are at the high end of the heart disease spectrum. Another thing to take into account is that the research was based on acceptable levels of pollutant as set by the Environmental Protection Agency, not the FDA, which actually regulates what is safe for human consumption. The levels they consider acceptable are very different, and under the FDA, the levels of pollutants found on salmon are deemed perfectly safe for human consumption. Pinneys of Scotland, of Anna, Dumfriesshire,holds the Royal warrant to supply smoked salmon to the Queen of England…and if it’s good enough for the Queen, it’s probably good enough for us.

No one food is magical. Every food should be consumed in moderation to be safe, but smoked salmon makes a great alternative to grapefruit if you’re watching your diet, and your health. To maximize the health benefits of smoked salmon, pair it with low-fat cream cheese on a whole wheat bagel for a healthy breakfast. Or slice it over a salad filled with greens, and includes capers and chives to bring out flavor. Bottom line: if you want to live a longer, healthier life, while slashing your risk of heart disease and cancer, it’s a pretty good idea to go for the smoked salmon.

Smoked Salmon Nutritional Information

This can vary according to the type of smoked salmon you are consuming; different species have different fat contents, and therefore will have more or less calories. Smoked salmon calories are actually very few. Also the smoking will affect the salt/sodium content. But the basic proteins and minerals and nutrition remain pretty much the same.

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Serving size: about 3 oz, (4 slices) cooked, about 85 grams

Nutrition Facts   Percentage daily value
Calories
100
 
Calories from fat
60  
Total fat (g) 3.7 g
5%
Saturated fat (g) 0.8 g
4%
Cholesterol 19.6 mg 6%
Sodium 666.4 mg 27%
Total Carbohydrates 0 g 0%
Protein 16 g 32%
Vitamin A   1%
Vitamin D
  145%
Calcium
0%
Iron
3%
Magnesium

 3%
Potassium 148.8 mg  4%

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Author

Albertina Roca

Copywriter & Certified Cheese Addict

Meet Albertina, a seasoned food writing wordsmith and marketing creative split between the sizzling vibes of Miami and the charming streets of Buenos Aires. With a solid 20 years in the traditional and digital advertising world for the gourmet food industry, she’s mastered the art of making words as mouthwatering as the dishes they describe. She’s proudly been part of the Gourmet Food Store family (and its brands) since its very beginnings, and what a fun, flavor-packed journey it has been!

Highlights

Albertina's journey in copywriting is marked by a passion for creativity and a knack for connecting with audiences. Her expertise spans SEO-driven content that boosts visibility, engaging social media strategies that spark conversations, persuasive advertising campaigns that captivate, and heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply.

Experience

With a diverse portfolio spanning numerous articles, blogs, and captivating content pieces, Albertina has left her mark on the industry. From informative guides to persuasive sales copy, her work not only informs but also inspires action.

Education and Background

Her journey began at Rutgers College, where she studied in History and Political Science, with a minor in English Lit. She honed her craft at The Miami Ad School in South Beach, where creativity and copy collided under the South Florida Sun. From the neon streets of South Beach to the tango beats of Buenos Aires, her pen dances with the rhythm of whatever gastronomic tales she gets to write at the time.

Currently savoring life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she’s bilingual in English and Spanish, an avid reader, and cheese addict.

Her writing? Seasoned with creativity, spiced with experience, and garnished with a dash of wit.

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Questions and Answers

Q:Isn't the sodium and smoke salmon too much for people with heart trouble?
A:As we mention in the article, the health benefits of smoked salmon largely outweigh any potential risks, especially if it's eaten in moderation and in tandem with other healthy foods. However, if you have a specific health condition that could be affected by your diet, it's always wise to ask your doctor first.
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