Mussels, which have an important place among street delicacies, adorn the counters with many options from stuffed to fried. According to experts who state that mussels should be grown in healthy waters while consuming mussels, mussels are in the food group with high omega-3 content such as zinc, phosphorus, selenium, iodine, EPA DHA as well as low calories. Experts point out that a stuffed mussel weighing 90 grams prepared with rice corresponds to approximately 75-80 calories and recommend consuming 3-4 stuffed mussels per week.
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Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özden Örkçü gave information about the healthy consumption of mussels, which are in the first place when it comes to street flavors.
Stating that mussel consumption has become increasingly widespread in recent years, Özden Örkçü said that mussels are a nutrient rich in low calorie and Omega 3 content, but may contain heavy metals due to the environment in which they are grown.
Products of companies with food safety should be preferred
Stating that the products of companies with quality certificates with food safety should be preferred, Özden Örkçü said, "In order to evaluate mussels as a healthy seafood, it is necessary to know where they are grown, like some other seafood, mussels are in the food group with high omega-3 content such as zinc, phosphorus, selenium, iodine, EPA DHA as well as low calories. Cultured mussels or mussels growing in polluted waters, sewage or stuck to heavy cargo ships are loaded with heavy metals due to polluted waters, and these heavy metals or toxic microorganisms pass into our body when consumed. For this reason, it is necessary to prefer reliable mussel brands or companies with food safety quality certificates such as ISO 2200 and HACCP 9001 that sell seafood."
How to recognize fresh mussels?
Stating that those who want to make mussels at home should choose fresh mussels, Özden Örkçü said, "You can tell that the mussel is fresh by looking at its shell. If the shell is closed, the color is vibrant, and there is a clean outer shell, you can understand that your mussel is fresh. The shell of stale mussels is usually pale in color, the shell is open and the outer shell is dirty."
Stuffed mussels and fried mussels can cause weight gain
Stating that consuming mussels alone will not pose a problem for the diet, Özden Örkçü pointed out the importance of the way the mussels are prepared and said the following:
"When mussels with increased calories, such as stuffed mussels with rice or fried mussels, are consumed in a meal or as a snack, you will get a lot more than the calorie requirement. Therefore, stuffed mussels and fried mussels can become one of the reasons for weight gain."
Mussels should be limited to 3-4 pieces per week
Özden Örkçü said, "A 90-gram stuffed mussel is approximately equivalent to 75-80 calories" and added, "Due to the insatiable taste of stuffed mussels, no one can restrict themselves to 1 piece. The question of how many you want from the sellers or service staff can go up to 5-10 or even 15-20 grains. If it comes to healthy nutrition, if we are going to consider people with weight problems, let's reduce the number of mussels and limit yourself to 3-4 pieces once a week as a reward."
May cause food poisoning
Özden Örkçü stated that mussels that feed on worms in places where sewage water flows can cause diseases such as typhoid e coli and said, "Mussels that like to live in oxide-forming areas such as iron can cause food poisoning. In fact, mussels living with poisonous plants can cause paralysis and even death."
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume
Stating that the beneficial nutrient needs of mussels can also be met from other healthy seafood, Özden Örkçü said, "It is especially beneficial for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding periods not to consume mussels. Since pregnancy and breastfeeding also affect the health of the baby, it should not be forgotten that nutrients such as harmful or harmless vitamins and minerals will pass from mother to baby through the placenta."
