Health is something we all take for granted – as long as we have it. Few of us think about taking more exercise, cutting back on alcohol or eating a healthy diet until some health problem or other comes along and forces us to take stock. The problem is that many of today’s health problems – high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers – are largely avoidable with a little effort. So what stops us from putting all the good lifestyle advice we hear into practice? Men tend to die an average of six years younger than women.
There is definitely room for improvement when it comes to looking after our health. Most of us already know that we need to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, take regular exercise and watch our weight to be healthy, but sometimes the thought of all that effort can put us off.
Luckily, just increasing the amount of fish you eat every week can make quite a difference to your health. While nothing will substitute for an overall healthy lifestyle, eating fish, especially oil-rich fish, twice a week is a simple and tasty step on the road to good health.
Fish is rich in many vital nutrients including protein, B vitamins, selenium, iodine and zinc. Oil-rich fish is also an excellent source of omega 3 fats and vitamins A and D.
Lemon and herb crusted haddock
WHAT YOU NEED
4 haddock fillets
(or other chunky white fish)
Two fist fulls of fresh breadcrumbs
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
Bunch of chopped fresh parsley or chives
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium leeks – sliced
A little salt and pepper
WHAT TO DO
Mix the breadcrumbs with lemon juice, zest, herbs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Season the mixture with a little salt and pepper and pat firmly onto the fish.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degC / 400 degF or Gas mark 5 for 10 – 12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the topping is crisp and golden brown.
While the fish is cooking, gently fry the leeks in the remaining olive oil until soft.
Remove fish from oven and place on a bed of leeks.
Serve with baked or mashed potato.
