Think pink

This Mother’s Day, give mom a plate full of feminine color (and good health)

By ALLISON ASKINS - aaskins@thestate.com

Go pink this weekend as you make plans to celebrate Mom.

Consider salmon, shrimp and red grapefruit as options for adding this delicate, feminine color to her plate.

As we’ve been learning all year, a colorful plate is a healthier plate.

With pink foods, you gain phytochemicals and nutrients that promote heart health, fight cancers, improve skin and lower bad cholesterol levels.

“We used to think many years ago that there was a lot of cholesterol in shrimp, but it’s not true,” said Dr. Leo Walker, a former Columbia endocrinologist who now practices holistic medicine and teaches small groups of patients how to eat healthy foods and supplements. (Walker is listed on the register of board-certified physicians with the American Board of Holistic Medicine, holisticboard.org.)

Shrimp is “a low-fat food and what fat is in there is Omega 3 fatty acids — the good kind of fat,” Walker said.

Of course, he notes, “you ruin everything by dipping them in batter and frying them in lard, but if they’re steamed or boiled, they’re an extremely healthy food as is the salmon.”

There is considerable debate about the choice between farm-raised and wild seafood because of the levels of toxins such as mercury each may contain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, only recommends that pregnant or breast-feeding women altogether avoid shark, tilefish, king mackerel and swordfish. These same women may eat 12 ounces of salmon or shrimp a week, either farm-raised or wild, especially if eaten along with a variety of other seafood choices with low mercury levels.

If, however, you (or Mom) share environmental concerns about over-fishing, a handy guide available at oceansalive.org can be downloaded with the latest information about fish choices recommended by environmentalists who monitor the world’s fisheries.

So, keep Mom healthy with your seafood choices, and remember, fresh fish doesn’t smell fishy. It also is firm to the touch and bright and shiny in color.

You can also add to Mom’s healthy options with pink grapefruit, rich in vitamin C, potassium and a variety of phytochemicals. Caramelize this beautiful fruit with brown sugar and serve it either to start Mom’s day or finish it. The dish makes a lovely breakfast addition or a tasty dessert.

Reach Askins at (803) 771-8614.

MORE PINK FOODS

• Chive blossoms

• Some beets

• Some fish, including salmon and shrimp

• Ginger

• Ham

• Pink grapefruit

• Pink peppercorns

• Pink savory

• Radish

• Raspberries

• Rose geranium

• Shallots

• Watermelon