Is Sushi Good for You?

Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish which was introduced to the world after the second World War. It entered in the United States around 1960s in the state of California. A Japanese chef altered the traditional sushi to suit American taste and presented it in the form of California rolls. California rolls became a rage all over the states and are still known by the same name. Sushi also became popular in other parts of the world around the same time. Sushi is equally praised by gourmets as well as health conscious people.

What is Sushi
Many people have a wrong perception about sushi being raw fish! However, this is only partially true. Sushi essentially means vinegared rice. It is garnished with veggies and in some cases, fish. Sushi recipes with fish topping are called nigiri, whereas those with only a piece of raw fish are called sashimi. Many people shy away from tasting sushi dishes thinking of it only as a raw fish. But if you visit an authentic sushi bar, you will see various types of sushi dishes that are served with wasabi and soy sauce. Most sushi dishes come with a seaweed called nori.

Is Sushi Good for Your Health
Sushi is considered as one of the most healthy and nutritious food. This is mainly because it contains an assortment of vegetables and fish. Fish is healthier than meat and is very light in calories. Authentic sushi dishes are prepared using low fat varieties of fish. One thing that you should remember about sushi is that you can benefit from it only if you consume it in low proportions. Japanese are known for their dainty low fat diet which is mainly the reason for their terrific health. Unfortunately, the westernized versions of sushi are laden with calories as they are mainly served with cream and an array of sauces. Western sushi dishes are also made from high fat varieties of fish such as tuna, yellowtail, swordfish etc. There are about 160 calories in sushi dish that is simple and traditional, whereas westernized sushi dishes can contain up to 800 calories depending upon the type of sauces served.

Sushi for Cholesterol
Since, sushi is mostly made from fish, it is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids clear the clogged arteries and thus, alleviate any dangers associated with clogged arteries. As you must be aware, arterial clogging is mainly caused due to bad cholesterol. Although, sushi does not reduce the levels of cholesterol in the body, it certainly reverses the damage done by cholesterol.

Sushi for Weight Loss
As mentioned above, sushi is really low in calories. Hence, you can benefit from it if you consume sushi on a regular basis. Basically, it is the filling of sushi that will decide whether you will be able to lose weight or not. Fish filling is low in calories and fats, but again a lot would depend upon the type of fish used. Keep away from fried fish fillings and creamy sauces. Opt for brown rice instead of white one as it has less complex carbohydrates. Also, do not consume sushi as per regular American standards! Keep your portions small to truly gain profit from eating sushi.

Sushi for Skin
The seaweed nori used in sushi is rich in vitamins and minerals. Hence, it is absolutely great for your skin. Also, the omega-3 fatty acids found in the sushi fish work wonders for your skin. Eat sushi regularly to get a great skin.

Sushi for Diabetics
Now that would depend upon the type of sushi dish you opt for. Since, diabetics have certain dietary restrictions, the rice part of sushi can be detrimental for them. However, they can enjoy other dishes like sashimi which is free from rice, to enjoy the health benefits similar to sushi.

Hope you have got all your doubts about sushi cleared after reading this article. Remember less is more, if you want to benefit from this delicious oriental dish.