Study
The FSNEP Fish Connection is part of the Adult Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program.  This outreach is targeting those who eat fish and seafood caught in the Delta watershed or consume commercially caught fish and seafood.  Fish caught in the Delta watershed may have levels of mercury and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which can be dangerous to your health.  The focus is to give the clients the knowledge of which fish are safer to eat, how much should be eaten, what mercury and toxins do to them and their families, and discourage them from eating any fish or seafood from the Port of Stockton.  

Goal
The goal of this special project is for our clients to reduce the consumption of fish and seafood that contain high levels of mercury and other toxins; as well as gain knowledge of the health benefits of fish in their diet.  Through a series of four classes, we would like to see an increase in fish consumption to two meals a week especially to those who do not consume fish that often.  Also we would like to see a decrease to the recommended amount of consumption of those fish, which are found to have higher levels of mercury.  We also are aiming to see changes in behavior as far as healthier cooking habits, reading food labels, stretching the food dollar, and safe practices of food preparation.

Benefits of Fish
It is important to know that fish and seafood can have many health benefits when included in your diet.  it is a great substitute for beef or other animal products.  Fish:

• is high in omega 3 fatty acids
• is high in protein
• is low in fat
• reduces risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer
• is high in selenium, which helps with heart function
• salmon is high in Vitamin D, which helps keep bones and teeth healthy
• sardines are high in calcium, which also helps with healthy bones and teeth
• oysters and crabs are high in zinc, which helps with carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism

What are Mercury and PCBs?
Mercury is a metal found in soil, rocks, air, and water.  It has made its way into the environment from power plant smoke stacks, thermometers, mining, and other industrial activities. Mercury has its greatest effect on:

• women who may become pregnant
• pregnant women
• breastfeeding women
• children

Through pregnancy and breastfeeding, the levels of mercury the mother has in her body, which can cause developmental problems and memory problems, can be passed to the child.  It may affect other people by causing tingling in hands and feet, fatigue, memory loss and cancer.  PCBs are toxins released into the environment through industrial waste.  These toxins are now outlawed.   PCBs are found mostly in the fatty part of fish and can be minimized through proper cooking methods such as grilling, broiling or baking.

For more information or to set up classes in Yolo County, contact:

Diane Metz at 530-666-8143