SNP introduces new resources for seafood health education

In its latest effort to educate Americans about the health benefits of eating seafood, the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) unveiled new online education programs and resources.

SNP’s two new web pages, www.seafoodnutrition.org/programs and www.seafoodnutrition.org/resources, can be used by nutrition professionals, school educators, consumers and others to help teach communities and individuals about the nutritional benefits of a seafood-rich diet.

“Through our work with health and nutrition influencers, we’ve seen an ongoing need for seafood education resources that supplement current nutrition education initiatives,” said Traci Causey, director of Programs and Education for SNP. “The online resources we’ve created for them are both accessible and practical.”

SNP is dedicated to educating the public about the health benefits of seafood, citing the statistic that just one in 10 Americans eats seafood twice weekly. In addition, Americans take in only 80 milligrams on average of the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the latest USDA dietary guidelines for Americans recommend that people eat seafood twice per week and consume at least 250 mg. of EPA and DHA weekly to support heart and brain health.

“SNP’s online educational resources – based on Eating Heart Healthy, the organization’s community-level nutrition intervention program developed to help individuals and families incorporate seafood into their diets – are part of an effort to reverse this trend,” the organization said in a statement.

In addition to building awareness about seafood’s health benefits, the online programs offer skill-building tools to “help individuals confidently purchase and prepare seafood for their family,” SNP said. The programs also provide tips and advice to assist Americans in meeting the USDA Dietary Guidelines recommendations.

“Nutrition educators are frequently asked about the role of seafood in a healthy diet,” said Judith Rodriguez, chairperson and professor at the University of North Florida’s Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, and an SNP board member. “This new online resource from Seafood Nutrition Partnership is a major step towards meeting this informational and educational need.”