Unhealthy fish you should avoid: What to know before buying

You should refer to this set of tips whenever you want to buy fish. It may also be helpful before vacations when many of us indulge in "local" delicacies while traveling. "Local" delicacies—for instance, those from the polluted waters of the Mekong...

Nutritionists emphasize that our health depends on the regular consumption of fish. This is a valid opinion, and we will never discourage including such dishes in your diet. However, it is worth paying attention to the species of fish we choose. Not all are good. Some can be more harmful than beneficial. Yet, we continue to consume them in large quantities...

Although it's unpleasant, when buying fish, it's crucial not to be guided solely by their price. The lower price often causes us to choose problematic species like pangasius. These fish, originating from Vietnamese farms, are an absolute nightmare. Crowded aquacultures of the dirty Mekong River are unsuitable for obtaining healthy meat. Pangasius practically lacks nutrients—no vitamin D, selenium, or omega-3 acids. Instead, they are loaded with hormones and antibiotics such as neomycin.

Unfortunately, pangasius is not the only fish bred in deplorable conditions. The same group includes tilapia (an appetizing-looking fish from the cichlid family), which often comes to us from countries like China, Honduras, or the Philippines. In the case of tilapia, it's crucial to pay attention to its country of origin, as good conditions and quality also characterize European farms.

This notorious trio is completed by a well-known and popular fish: salmon. Surprised? Unfortunately, as with tilapia, the origin of the salmon is crucial. Wild salmon—rare, expensive, with a slightly less "striking" color—is essentially very healthy. On the other hand, farmed salmon is a different story. Many experts consider this meat the most contaminated product in the world. Some countries have even banned not only the production but also the import of such salmon. That says something.