If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy seafood. After all, it’s a healthy and delicious option that can be cooked in a variety of ways.
Being a seafood lover, you might be tempted to order everything on the menu the next time you visit a seafood restaurant. However, there are some items that you should avoid ordering, as they’re not always fresh or healthy. kiwiwell brought you 12 things you should never order from a seafood restaurant.
1. Fried calamari
Fried calamari is the worst seafood to restaurant starter to stay away from. It is usually over-fried to the point where it becomes rubbery, and often served with a marinara sauce that is high in sugar and calories.
In terms of calories, fried calamari is one of the highest-calorie starters on most seafood restaurant menus. A single fried calamari ring can contain over 200 calories, and an order of fried calamari can have over 1,000 calories.
2. Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna is an endangered species, so it’s important to avoid ordering it when you’re at a seafood restaurant. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it’s also not as fresh as other types of tuna.
Bluefin is used in sushi and sashimi, but there are other types of tuna that can be used instead of it, such as albacore or yellowfin.
3. Endangered eels
Eels are another type of seafood that you should avoid ordering, as they’re often endangered. In fact, the European Union has banned the import of eels from the wild in order to protect them.
According to the Marine Conservation Society, there are only three types of eel that can be sustainably fished: Conger, Anguilla, and Lamprey. So, if you see any other type of eel on a menu, it’s best to avoid it.
4. Farmed salmon
You might think that farmed salmon is a healthier option than wild-caught salmon, but that’s not always the case. In fact, farmed salmon can contain high levels of toxins, such as PCBs.
Farmed salmon is also often fed a diet of antibiotics and other chemicals, which can be harmful to your health. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid ordering farmed salmon when you’re at a seafood restaurant.
5. Sharks
Sharks are another type of seafood that you should avoid ordering, as they’re often overfished. In fact, some species of shark are now considered to be endangered.
As well as being bad for the environment, shark meat can also be dangerous to eat. This is because it can contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful to your health.
6. Imported crab
Crab is a popular seafood dish, but you should avoid ordering it if it’s imported. This is because imported crab can be caught in ways that are harmful to the environment, such as bottom trawling.
It can also be difficult to trace the origins of imported crab, so you don’t know how fresh it is. For these reasons, it’s best to stick to locally sourced crab when you’re at a seafood restaurant.
7. Tilefish
Tilefish is another type of seafood that you should avoid ordering, as it can contain high levels of mercury. In fact, the FDA has advised pregnant women and young children to avoid eating tilefish altogether.
8. Catfish
Catfish are often imported from countries like Vietnam and Thailand, where it’s farmed in unregulated conditions. This means that the fish can be exposed to a variety of chemicals and toxins, which can be harmful to your health.
As well as being bad for your health, catfish is also often mislabeled. This means that you could end up eating a different type of fish altogether, such as tilapia or pollock. So, if you’re going to eat catfish, be sure it was raised or caught locally.
9. Tilapia
Tilapia is often touted as a healthy seafood option, but it’s actually one of the worst fish you can eat. This is because tilapia is often raised in unhealthy conditions, such as crowded ponds.
This can lead to the fish being exposed to a variety of toxins and chemicals, which can be harmful to your health. Tilapia is also often mislabeled, so you could end up eating a different type of fish other than tilapia.
10. Tempura
Tempura is a type of Japanese battered and fried seafood. While it might be tempting to order this dish when you’re at a seafood restaurant, you should know that it’s often high in calories and fat.
A single serving of tempura can contain over 1,000 calories, so it’s best to avoid it if you’re trying to watch your weight.
11. the Atlantic sturgeon
The Atlantic sturgeon is a type of fish that’s often used in caviar. However, it’s now considered to be an endangered species, so you should avoid ordering it when you’re at a seafood restaurant.
Not only is the Atlantic sturgeon endangered, but it can also be difficult to trace the origins of the caviar. This means that you could be eating caviar that’s been sourced from illegal fisheries.
12. The Gulf sturgeon
The Gulf sturgeon is another type of fish that’s often used in caviar. Like the Atlantic sturgeon, it’s now considered to be an endangered species.
For these reasons, you should avoid ordering gulf sturgeon caviar when you’re at a seafood restaurant.
So there you have it, 12 things you should never order from a seafood restaurant. The next time you eat out, be sure to avoid these dishes to help protect the environment and your health.