Oysters are one of my most favorite summer eats! sometimes, and I know this is a bit decadent, but when I am at my mothers beach house, after my morning workout I will go to the fishmonger and get 6 oysters shucked and have them for lunch. My mom always makes fun of me for doing this, but I find them just so yummy- although I can’t eat them cooked, only raw, and just with a squeeze of lemon. SO GOOD!
I found out some interesting and healthy facts about my favorite seafood treat that I wanted to share.
No longer do we have to follow the rule that we can’t eat oysters during “R” months (which really opens up a bunch of months for oyster munching!)
Wild oysters in California are actually under threat because of invasive creatures like Atlantic coast crabs and snails and European green crabs, which means that it is the exception to the rule, but actually farm raised oysters are better to eat than wild! Oyster farms actually improve the quality of oceans and bays that they are present in; they oysters feed on particulate that would otherwise pollute the water.
Also, it is true that they really ARE an aphrodisiac, for men in particular, because they are really high in zinc (which is a mineral most Americans are deficient in). Zinc is a key mineral for sexual health in men (a deficiency can lead to impotence)- so ladies, if you want to get your man in the mood, get some raw oysters in him!!
And finally, because the shells are so high in calcium, they are really good for gardens and compost piles. They help to regulate the pH balance of your soil (for those of you who like hydrangeas, this can help change them from blue to purple)
Nutritional facts:
They are really a one stop shop for food! They have protein, fat, and carbs in each oyster, and are actually touted by the National Lung and Heart Institute as a low cholesterol food. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), C (ascorbic acid), and D (calciferol). Also eating 5 oysters supply your daily need of iron, zinc, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and phosphorous.
FYI, if you have liver disease, cancer, or any immune depression you should opt not to eat raw foods, because of the risk of bacteria and infection. But as long as you eat fresh raw oysters and know the source from a clean place, you should eat up!!
Yours in Good Health
B
