Add more fish to your festive food menus

Christmas is a time of indulgence for many of us but incorporating fish into our festive diets is a great way to add boost our health.

Cork’s fishmongers are encouraging families to embrace the many nutritional benefits of incorporating seafood into their Christmas and New Year festivities.

Packed with nutrients offering a range of health benefits, fish can be a lighter alternative to the traditional holiday fare and is ideal for party snacks and large gatherings.

Donagh Good, Managing Director of The Good Fish Company, located in Carrigaline, Douglas and Kinsale, said: “Where else would you get the freshest range of fish than your friendly local fishmonger? With their expert knowledge, they can guide you in choosing the perfect option and then prepare the fish to your liking and offer you tips for cooking. Whether for Christmas dinner or a New Year’s celebration, seafood is the perfect choice to create memorable meals that also support local businesses.”

Speaking about the nutritional benefits of including fish in festive menus, Sarah Keogh, Registered Dietician and Founder of eatwell.ie said: “Seafood is high in lean protein and packed with nutrients. Oil-rich fish like salmon is great for getting vitamin D into your diet - a vitamin that Irish people tend to lack despite it being a key nutrient for maintaining healthy bones, muscles and teeth.

“Mussels are an excellent source of omega 3 and could be a nice addition to the festive menu. Omega 3 is an essential nutrient that keeps you healthy from your head to your toes and helps keep your heart healthy. Vitamin B-12 contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue while also helping support the normal function of the immune system. It can be found in crab, sea bass, rainbow trout, and scallops.” For fish and seafood recipe inspiration and tips on preparing your festive fish, follow Cork’s local fishmongers:

Good Fish: Instagram - @goodfishshops, Facebook - Goodfishshops

Ballycotton Seafood: Instagram - @ballycottonseafood_, Facebook - Ballycotton Seafood Ltd

Keohane’s Seafood: Instagram - @keohaneseafoods, Facebook - Keohane’s Seafood Shop Cork

K O’Connells: Instagram - @ko_connells_fishmonger, Facebook - K O’Connell Fish Merchants