Why Fresh Fish Are Some of The Best Brain Food with Jeff Tedmori

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Why Fresh Fish Are Some of The Best Brain Food with Jeff Tedmori"
Change Your Brain Every Day
Release Date: July 1, 2021

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Why Fresh Fish Are Some of The Best Brain Food with Jeff Tedmori," New York Times bestselling authors Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen delve into the significant role of fish in brain health. Hosted on their Brain Warriors Way Podcast, they engage with Jeff Tedmori, the founder of e fish.com, to explore the benefits of consuming fresh, sustainable fish and how Jeff's business model supports both consumers and the environment.

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e fish.com Overview

Jeffrey Ted Mori introduces his company, e fish.com, highlighting its mission to provide high-quality, sustainably sourced fish to consumers. The platform emerged from Jeff’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he saw an opportunity to support fishermen, satisfy consumer demand, and promote environmental sustainability.

Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes the importance of choosing foods that benefit the body:

"You only want to love something that loves you back. And this is a great opportunity for you to fall in love with fresh, sustainable, healthy brain, healthy fish." (02:20)

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Benefits of Fish for Brain Health

Dr. Amen and Tana Amen discuss why fish is considered one of the best sources of protein for brain health. They underscore the rich content of omega-3 fatty acids in fish, which are crucial for cognitive function and overall brain health.

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Highlighted Fish Types and Their Benefits

Mackerel

Jeffrey Ted Mori brings attention to mackerel, a lesser-known but highly nutritious fish:

"Mackerel is packed and loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, which we all know and love. It's double that of salmon, and salmon's the poster child for omega threes." (03:17)

He explains that mackerel is a small, slender fish often overlooked in local markets due to its strong flavor. However, its high omega-3 content makes it a superior choice for brain health. Additionally, being lower on the food chain, mackerel accumulates fewer heavy metals, making it a safer option.

Black Cod (Sable Fish/Butterfish)

Tana shares her positive experience with black cod:

"I had Premiere, and it was great." (05:54)

Jeff elaborates on its rich fatty content and versatility:

"Black cod is packed with Omega threes. It's also known as sable fish or butterfish because it really is buttery and delicious." (05:56)

Sardines and Anchovies

Tana and Jeff discuss smaller fish like sardines and anchovies:

"I love sardines. Most people don't like them." (06:09)
"They’re fun. You just have to take the experience for what it is. It's a total culinary adventure." (06:12)

These fish are not only rich in omega-3s but also provide a variety of culinary options, making them an excellent addition to diets focused on brain health.

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Cooking and Culinary Tips

Jeff shares his favorite ways to prepare fish, emphasizing simplicity and flavor enhancement:

"A lot of people love to grill this fish. Slice the meat on the fish, slide little lemon wedges in between, and throw it on the barbecue for a delicious char." (04:52)

Tana adds her preference for combining strong-flavored fish with acidic elements:

"Sometimes when a fish is strong, either lemon or a little bit of vinegar can help." (05:21)

They also discuss incorporating smaller fish into unconventional dishes, such as adding sardines to eggs for breakfast, enhancing both taste and nutritional value.

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Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Jeff emphasizes the importance of sustainable fishing practices:

"Eating lower on the food chain is one of those things that we need to be able to do to support more healthy fisheries, prevent overfishing on some of these species that are more mainstream." (04:49)

By promoting the consumption of small, sustainable fish, e fish.com aims to reduce the environmental impact of overfishing and ensure the longevity of various fish species.

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Quality and Sourcing of Fish

The discussion highlights how the environment and diet of fish influence their flavor and nutritional content:

"What they eat and the environment that they're in really dictates the flavor profile of these fish." (07:27)
"It's all about the environment that you're in and the fat content." (09:22)

Jeff compares different sources of the same species, such as scallops from Massachusetts versus Scotland, to illustrate how location affects taste and quality. Similarly, he contrasts farm-raised versus wild fish, stressing the importance of knowing where and how the fish are raised to ensure optimal health benefits.

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Personal Experiences and Recommendations

Dr. Amen shares his personal journey with fish consumption:

"For a long time, I didn't like salmon, and then I found Copper River salmon out of Alaska. Love Copper River salmon. It's just about ready to run now." (06:57)

Tana echoes the sentiment, noting how different sources and preparation methods can transform one’s appreciation for fish:

"Believe it or not, one of the ways that I love the smaller fish like that is in breakfast eggs. It tastes great." (06:40)

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Conclusion and Call to Action

Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen encourage listeners to incorporate more fish into their diets for brain health, emphasizing the importance of choosing sustainable and high-quality sources. They provide a promotional discount code for e fish.com, reinforcing their support for Jeff’s mission:

"To learn more about Jeff and Jeff's company e fish.com, you can use the discount code EAMONN10." (10:34)

Jeff expresses gratitude for the collaboration and support:

"Thank you so much. Really appreciate it. This has been so much fun." (11:32)

The hosts wrap up by encouraging listeners to subscribe to the podcast and utilize promotional codes for additional benefits related to brain health and wellness.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Daniel Amen (02:20):
  "You only want to love something that loves you back. And this is a great opportunity for you to fall in love with fresh, sustainable, healthy brain, healthy fish."

• Jeffrey Ted Mori (03:17):
  "Mackerel is packed and loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, which we all know and love. It's double that of salmon, and salmon's the poster child for omega threes."

• Tana Amen (06:09):
  "I love sardines. Most people don't like them."

• Jeffrey Ted Mori (04:49):
  "Eating lower on the food chain is one of those things that we need to be able to do to support more healthy fisheries, prevent overfishing on some of these species that are more mainstream."

• Dr. Daniel Amen (02:20):
  "You only want to love something that loves you back. And this is a great opportunity for you to fall in love with fresh, sustainable, healthy brain, healthy fish."

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Key Takeaways

1. Fish as Brain Food: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish like mackerel and black cod are excellent for cognitive function and overall brain health.

2. Sustainability Matters: Choosing sustainably sourced fish supports healthy fisheries and environmental conservation.

3. Flavor and Preparation: Different environments and diets influence fish flavor. Proper cooking techniques can enhance the taste of strong-flavored fish.

4. Quality Sourcing: Understanding where and how fish are raised or caught is crucial for maximizing health benefits and ensuring quality.

5. Diverse Culinary Use: Incorporating fish into various meals, including unconventional dishes like fish with eggs, can make a healthy diet more enjoyable.

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For more insights on brain health and sustainable eating, visit e fish.com and use the promo code EAMONN10 for a 10% discount on your order.

Transcript

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

Welcome to the Brain warriors way podcast. I'm Dr. Daniel Amen.

[Tana Amen]

And I'm Tana Amen. In our podcast, we provide you with the tools you need to become a warrior for the health of your brain and body.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

The Brain Warriors Way podcast is brought to you by Amen Clinics, where we have been transforming lives for 30 years using tools like brain spect imaging to personalize treatment. To use brain. For more information, visit amenclinics.com the BrainWarriors.

[Tana Amen]

Way podcast is also brought to you by Brain MD, where we produce the highest quality nutraceuticals to support the health of your brain and body. To learn more, go to brainmd.com welcome back. We are here with Jeffrey Ted Mori talking about fish. And we're having such a good time. The stories during COVID and just, you know, how this kid from MIT made this business out of fishing, has taken care of fishermen, has taken care of consumers, and is really paying attention to the environment and sustainably raised products. And I love this. I love how you put this model together. But in this episode, we want to talk about fish and the brain. Why? As far as protein goes, fish is probably your best choice. So let's talk about the brand.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

If you go to e fish.com you can enter in a promo code. Is it Aiman 10?

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah. Amen 10.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

Amen 10. And that will get you 10% off your order. So.

[Tana Amen]

And this is truly a great product. So, I mean, I can say that personally.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

So clean, healthy, delicious, good for your brain. Right. We often talk about you only want to love food that loves you back, that, you know, all of us. Maybe not Jeff, because he's been with his sweetheart forever, but you and I certainly have been in bad relationships. And I'm not doing that anymore. I'm not. I love somebody who loves me back.

[Tana Amen]

Yeah. He's looking at us like I have no idea what you're talking about because they were high school sweethearts. Right.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

But so many people are in a bad relationship with food. They love things that hurt them, that cause inflammation, that increase their risk of cancer and diabetes and heart disease. And you only want to love something that loves you back. And this is a great opportunity for you to fall in love with fresh, sustainable, healthy brain, healthy fish. So e fish.com so, Jeff, let's talk about the healthiest fish that you have on the site. And one of the things we talked about at the break that surprises many people is that mackerel is actually loaded with omega 3 fatty acids.

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah. So mackerel is one of those products where most people don't. They don't see it in their local market, they don't think to buy it. And I'm not going to lie, it does have a really strong flavor to it. So it's not for everybody, but it's packed and loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, which we all know and love. Um, it's double that of salmon, and salmon's the poster child for omega threes. Right. Um, and so, I mean, it's one of those things where you have an opportunity to eat lower on the food chain, which, of course means that it's not going to have a lot of accumulated heavy metals in addition to having those omega threes. Um, and so that's just an item that you really can't find elsewhere. And it's. It's one of those seasonal items during the summer that we're. We're super fortunate to be able to carry.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

And are they small fish?

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah, so they're small. So they're. You know, a lot of people will say that it's. It's kind of like eating the food that the big fish would eat. Right. So it's kind of. It's known for being a bait fish. Right. It's similar to anchovies, similar to sardines. Mackerel is maybe this big in size. Right. And they're. They're small and slender. But that ultimately, eating lower on the food chain is. Is one of those things that we need to be able to do to support more healthy fisheries, prevent overfishing on. On some of these species that are. That are more mainstream. Right. We need to give them a break every now and again.

[Tana Amen]

What's your favorite way to eat them?

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

So a lot of people love to. To grill this fish. And so what you can do is kind of. You'll keep them whole. So it's a whole fish that you're going to cook. And really, you. One way that one of my customers did that I absolutely loved and tried myself was you'll slice the meat on the fish and you'll slide little lemon wedges in between, and you throw it on the barbecue and get a nice char on it, and it's really delicious. Yeah.

[Tana Amen]

I was going to say sometimes when a fish is strong, either lemon or a little bit of vinegar can help too. Absolutely. With the flavor. Yeah.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

So mackerel is a surprising fish. What else?

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah, so it. And of course, like, I like to think of things based on where the fish are. So on the west coast, we have some amazing fish that are packed with Omega threes. Black cod is one of the more notable ones. You could also find it called sable fish or butterfish, because it really is.

[Tana Amen]

That's what I. That's what I had Premiere.

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah.

[Tana Amen]

And it was great.

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah. That's what, like, Nobu made famous with his miso Black cod packed with Omega threes. We have fresh anchovies and sardines like you would find when you're in Italy.

[Tana Amen]

Yeah, I love sardines. Most people don't like them.

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah, no, they're fun. And you just have to. One of the things that I've learned being surrounded by more seafood is just take the experience for what it is. It's a total culinary adventure. And that's what I love about it, because you can try different products. It's a ton of fun in the kitchen versus cooking something like chicken, where you have white meat and you have dark meat. With fish, like, the opportunities are endless.

[Tana Amen]

Yeah. Believe it or not, one of the ways that I love the smaller fish like that is in, like, breakfast in eggs. Like, it's. People are like, what? No, I promise you, it tastes great. It's really good. So I grew up eating that kind of thing. So, like, kippers and eggs and sardines and eggs. And it's actually really good. It's tasty.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

For a long time, I didn't like salmon, and then I found Copper river salmon out of Alaska. And for some reason, I guess the fat content's different. Love Copper river salmon. And it's just about ready to run now. If I remember right, it's June, July. So why would different species of fish taste significantly different?

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah. So ultimately, the way that I like to think of it, and you said this earlier today, what they eat and the environment that they're in really dictates the flavor profile of these fish. And so what I like to look at is where are these fish being caught? What time of year is it? What's the temperature? Like, what type of nutrients are in the water? Because that's going to largely affect the way that it tastes. So whether you're. It's actually really interesting when we look at products like scallops. Right. Typically where we're selling sea scallops that are caught in out of Massachusetts or out of the Gulf of Maine, and those have one flavor profile. It's like ice cold water, nutrient rich, and just really clean water that it's coming out of. And so that has one flavor profile. We've been getting scallops out of Scotland recently. Which are also phenomenal. But what's amazing is it's the exact same species, but they taste very different because the nutrients in the water out on the coast of Europe is, is very different from the nutrients that are out in New England.

[Tana Amen]

That makes sense because when you think of like even the difference between grass fed beef and bison, they're very different. So when you talk about bison, that is like wild bison or not like free range, like truly free range. And you compare that. I used to do this in my classes when I would teach them. I would show a farm raised piece of beef next to a free range piece of bison. One is a light pink and white because the white is the fat that's marbled all through it. And they're same cut like in New York. And then the bison is deep purple, there's like almost no fat in it. And they've eaten completely differently and they've run and so it's all muscle, you know what I mean? They taste totally different. So that makes total sense.

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

It's all about the environment that you're in.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

Yeah, well, and for there it's the fat content.

[Tana Amen]

Right.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

As well. And fat content. And fish also really matters. What is some of the leanest fish compared to the fattier fish?

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Yeah, so some of the more lean fish that you're going to find, I mean obviously if you're looking at, you know, different cuts of tuna, like if you're looking at a loin of tuna, there's going to be less fat in there. And then as you look to more of the, the white fish, or what we would call ground fish. So this is the cod, haddock, hake of the world, pollock, Those are all going to be a much leaner cut. California halibut, for example, has very low fatty content. But if you get a halibut from Alaska or you get a halibut from Maine, those are going to have a much richer fatty content to it. And again, you just have to think of where they're being raised. Right. Or where they're living. And when you're in a really cold environment, how do you stay warm? You gotta have that fatty layer there.

[Tana Amen]

Yeah, interesting.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

So interesting. Well, what we hope is that you will consume more fish because it's good for your brain. But consume healthy fish, you always know, you want to know where it was raised, the environment, what the fish. Eight farm fish is not always a bad thing, but you want to really just try to be informed and understand. To learn more about Jeff and Jeff's company e fish dot com, you can use the discount code EAMONN10. Love that and it's good for you and it's good for our environment. So Jeff, we're so proud of you and so happy to have you on the Brain Warriors Way podcast. We look forward to just watching your mission grow.

[Jeffrey Ted Mori]

Thank you so much. Really appreciate it. This has been so much fun. Good to see you both.

[Tana Amen]

You too.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

All right, you're listening to the Brain Warriors Way Podcast. Stay with us.

[Tana Amen]

If you're enjoying the Brain Warriors Way Podcast, please don't forget to subscribe so you'll always know when there's a new episode. And while you're at it, feel free to give us a review or five star rating as that helps others find the podcast.

[Dr. Daniel Amen]

If you're interested in coming to Amen Clinics, use the code PODCAST10 to get a 10% discount on a full evaluation at Amen Clinics.com. for more information, give us a call at 855-978-1363.