Supporting Our Oceans Through Food
Last week was Earth Week, so you may have seen multiple posts on my social media. Each day I talked about a different way to support our own Gulf of Maine. If you missed it, no worries! I’ve summarized it all into this post. So go ahead and read along to learn more about how we can nourish our bodies while also having a positive environmental impact! You will also find many different local Maine companies that provide incredible products.
Sea Salt
When talking about the Gulf of Maine, it seems fitting to start with the saltwater itself! When we look at the salt in our kitchens, there are three primary sources: table salt, rock salt, and sea salt. Each type has its own pros and cons, but when we look at the environmental impact, sea salt is far superior. The reason for this is because it is right in our backyard. Also, the processing of sea salt requires very little, if any, energy. Most of our local sea salt companies dehydrate and process their salt by way of the sun! Both rock salt and table salt are much more energy intensive.
Nutritionally, all salts are quite similar. The primary difference is the presence of iodine. Iodine is a mineral that is essential for thyroid function. Table salt has been iodized for decades as a way to provide this necessary mineral. When switching towards more sea salt, it is important to get your iodine from another source, such as kelp. Keep reading to find out more about introducing kelp into your diet and why you may want to!
where to Find it
Slacktide Sea Salt in Kennebunk, Maine
Maine Salt Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Maine Sea Salt Company in Machias, Maine
Want to learn more? Check out This video
Seaweed
Seaweed is one of the best things we can introduce into our diets because it is incredibly nutritious and extremely beneficial for the environment. Seaweed thrives in the cold, clean waters of Maine, and it improves water quality. As you may know, our waters are becoming warmer and more acidic due to climate change. And unfortunately, the Gulf of Maine is being affected by climate change 3x more than the worldwide average. This is all due to the currents. It is incredibly frustrating to hear this statistic, especially because we are a state known for environmentalism. But not all hope is lost because seaweed is doing incredible things for our environment! Seaweed draws carbon and nitrogen out of our water, which directly reduces ocean acidification and warming. A “halo effect” of clean, cold, and less acidic water can be observed around kelp, which is amazing!
When we look at the nutrition content of kelp, it is equally as amazing. Kelp is loaded with iodine, which is essential for thyroid health. If sea salt is the main salt of your diet, then trying more sea vegetables would be very beneficial. It is also rich in many different vitamins and minerals, as well as plant-based omega 3s. One of the best things about kelp is that it diversifies your diet. There are so many different ways to introduce kelp into your diet, from flakes to fermented products, even pickles and tea. The possibilities are endless. Below you can find many different products and locally owned businesses.
The economic benefits of kelp are also worth mentioning. Kelp is farmed in the winter, which is the off-season for lobster fisherman. This growing kelp industry is supporting our local communities, which is definitely something to celebrate!
Where to find it
My favorite spot to find seaweed products is Heritage Seaweed, a shop in Portland, Maine. They carry an incredible variety of products. Below are just some of the seaweed products I have tried.
Atlantic Sea Farms for fermented seaweed salad, sea-chi, flash frozen kelp, and kelp smoothie cubes
Nautical Farms for dried kelp and kelp flakes
Barnacle Foods for kelp pickles, salsas, and hot sauces
Atlantic Holdfast for dried kelp
Springtide Seaweed for seasonings and kelp flakes
Oceans Balance for kelp purees, seasonings, and kelp flakes
Akua for kelp jerky and pasta
Cup of Sea for seaweed based teas
Want to learn more? Check out this video
Oysters
Next up we have oysters! I find oysters so fascinating; everything from the way they are grown to how they differ in flavor is just so interesting to me! The oyster farming industry is booming here in Maine, and that is for good reason. These bivalves grow very well in our waters, and they function as filter feeders, which means that they clean the water around them. As we support this industry, we are continuing to support our oceans.
Another great thing about oysters is the fact that they are a sustainable protein source. The oysters you find in the market are often farmed out on rafts, which makes them very sustainable. The process is very interesting, so be sure to watch the video below. Oysters are also rich in various vitamins and minerals, most notably copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. The most common way to consumer oysters is raw. Some people have worries about that, but it is important to know that the Maine oyster industry is very tightly regulated and monitored. As I mentioned, each oyster tastes different based on where and how they are grown. The best way to give oysters a try is by tasting a few different varieties! Be sure to check out these spots below!
Where to find them
Here in Portland, there are many different oyster bars. My two favorites are The Shop and Maine Oyster Company. I also recommend checking out these oyster farms below!
Glidden Point Oysters in Edgecomb
Emily’s Oysters in South Freeport
Weskeag Oysters in South Thomaston
Mere Point Oysters in Brunswick
Nonesuch Oysters in Scarborough
Mook Oysters in Walpole
Norumbega Oysters in Nobleboro
Johns River Oysters in South Bristol
want to learn more? Check out this video
Mussels
Similar to other bivalves, mussels are filter feeders, which means that they clean our waters. Traditionally, mussels are harvested from the tidal areas, but mussel farms, such as Bangs Island Mussels, have begun farming mussels out on rafts in Casco Bay. Many people are wary of farm raised seafood, but when it comes to mussels, farm raised is best because of the positive environmental impact. Farms like Bangs Island, are able to produce an abundance of mussels, which amplifies their filter-feeding benefits.
Nutritionally, mussels are an incredible source of sustainable protein. Just 3oz of mussel meat equates to 20g of protein. Mussels are high in vitamins like vitamin D, C and B12, as well as minerals such as selenium, iron, and manganese. If you haven’t ever cooked mussels at home, then be sure to give it a try! They are super quick and easy to make. See below for my go-to simple, steamed mussels recipe.
Where to find it
Bangs Island Mussels in Portland, Maine
Simple Steamed Mussels
Ingredients
2-3 tbs butter
2 shallots, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup white wine
2 lbs mussels
Instructions
Rinse mussels in cold water and discard any cracked mussels. The mussels should be tightly closed.
Sauté garlic and shallots in butter until fragrant. Then add mussels, tomatoes, and wine. Cover and let steam for ~5-7 minutes.
Once finished, all mussels should open. Enjoy with crusty bread!
want to learn more? Check out this video
Under Utilized Fish
Many of us grew up only eating haddock and cod, but there are much more fish in the sea. Over the past several years the Gulf of Maine Research Institute has been promoting the use of “underutilized fish”. This includes fish species such as mackerel, pollock, hake, whiting, redfish, and monkfish. When we introduce a variety of seafood into our diets, we are not only supporting our local fisherman, but we are also supporting our environment by promoting a balance in harvesting. You may surprise yourself and even find these fish to be delicious! In the past few months, I have picked up pollock and hake, which have both been very tasty. Next time you are at the fish market, consider trying something new!
About the Author
Dr. Hannah is a naturopathic doctor providing whole body adjunctive healthcare to patients in Maine and Massachusetts. She believes every patient has their own unique health journey, which influences her personalized treatment approach. She has a passion for helping women, mothers and families heal and thrive, all while uncovering the root cause of whatever ails them. Her goal is to empower and guide her patients on the path towards healing the mind, body and soul through natural methods of healing. Dr. Hannah sees patients locally in Portland, Maine. Through telehealth, she is happy to serve the people of Lewiston, Ellsworth, Belfast, Bangor, and all the towns in between! She now sees Massachusetts patients through telehealth as well!
Disclaimer
The information provided on or through this website is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not a substitution for proper and personalized medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or trusted healthcare provider before making an adjustments or changes to your healthcare regimen. Natural medicine is not inherently harmless, and therefore it is important to speak with your healthcare providers for personalized medical advice.