Ask Amy-1st edition!

Aloha Hawaii patients! Here is your chance to ask Amy Ingols, our registered dietitian your nutrition questions!

Aloha Amy!



I'll get the ball rolling here since I have been curious about a food I am thoroughly enjoying and believe to be something I could/should be eating.... tako poke. The seafood place I get it from uses a very high grade Japanese tako cut into perfect little bite-sized pieces. I am not sure of the seasoning... it's a kim chee sauce, but I can't believe that the small amount that is used could be harmful or unhealthy.



Do you have any nutritional information for me on this? I figured it HAS to be mostly protein, but would love an expert opinion for a little piece of mind.



My second question is regarding protein drinks/shakes. I see some people post that their doctor prefers they get their protein from "real food" rather than the protein drinks/shakes. I was never a person who could eat in the morning. Even at a year out, I still enjoy using a protein bullet mixed in my 20 oz. bottle of SF Cool Aid that I drink throughout the morning while at work. I get a portion of my protein and fluids in that way. Is there anything wrong with this type of protein consumption?



Malama pono & mahalo nui loa!

Aloha!

Great questions.  I do not have any nutritional information on the tako poke, but it looks like the tako is just a seasoning.  I do not see anything calorically harmful about this.  Poke is a great source of protein so preparing this alone would likely be the healthier (lower in calorie choice), but if tako poke is something you have once in awhile, that is fine.  I do know that a little over 1/2 cup of Ahi Poke salad is 60-70 calories, 11 g protein, and <1 g carb, so this is a great choice.

I do agree that I'd like you to get your protein in through food but some people prefer to continue using protein shakes to help them get to the 70-80 g protein/day and that is absolutely fine with me.  Many share the same feelings with you about not feeling like a breakfast so they'll have a protein drink throughout the morning and that is a perfectly acceptable substitute. 

I hope this helps!

- Amy Ingols, RD

It helps very much, thank you! I figured the tako (octopus) poke would be similar to ahi poke, so I've been tracking it using similar numbers. There is a deli/cafe near us that makes THE best and freshest seafood we can get here. They know when they see me walk through the door to get the taco ready! Their shrimp shares top billing with me as well.

Is there any harm in too much fish and/or seafood?

Fish is a great source of protein.  It provides our bodies with essential amino acids, minerals, some vitamins, and has great health benefits.  However, the mercury in seafood can be harmful if consumed in high amounts, especially to children and pregnant women.  I'd recommend allowing yourself 3-4 servings of seafood per week.  Ahi poke does have a high amount of mercury in it so don't over do it, you might want to have the ahi tuna only once or twice a week and try salmon or other fish.  You can always go to the website gotmercury.org to check out the mercury content of various types of seafood.

-Amy Ingols, RD

Mahalo, Amy! I'll check out that website, too!