Is there something Fishy about the Sardine Diet?

I almost fell off of my oversized office chair the other day when I saw the “Sardine Diet” as a new weight loss option. Well, I say new, but actually the premise behind the Sardine Diet, which is to eat large quantities of foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, is not a new concept to those of us who have tried almost everything to lose some weight.

Basically the diet goes about giving you recipes that use sardines – those small, oily, stinky little fish neatly packed in a metal box that for some reason always make their way to the hors d’oeuvres platters at special occasions along with their nasty little companions, smoked oysters. That’s right, I bet most special occassion closet sardine lovers didn’t know that the squishy little fish they love to delicately eat from a cracker may actually be undoing some of the weight gain from a night of merry-making.

But why sardines? Well, as it happens the Sardine Diet doesn’t endorse all sardines, but Nordic brisling sardines, which contain among the lowest levels of mercury in seafood, while offering the most concentrated source of Omega-3 fatty acids. The low levels of mercury are particularly important if you are going to be eating these mouthwatering minnows more than a couple of times a week.

What Omega-3 Fatty Acids do for you:

• play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development
• reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis
• reduce health problems such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, thereby lowering the risks of heart disease, diabetes and stroke
• increase fat metabolism by reducing insulin levels, resulting in weight loss

Is the Sardine Diet worth a try? Well, if you like sardines then the Sardine Diet may work well for you. The Sardine Diet provides recipes, along with a complete menu plan that details breakfasts, lunches, dinners, two daily snacks, and special dessert treats (I really hope the dessert treats don’t include sardines too. Mmmm, sardine sunday with chocolate sauce anyone? 100 pregnant women just raised their hands). Just make sure you have a dollar left over after buying the diet book to buy some strong mints, cause there will definitely be something fishy about your breath.