Jerry the Blogger

If you've ever seen Finding Nemo (and readers with young kids surely have -- at least a few dozen times), you know the mantra from the shark "support" group: "Fish are our friends, NOT food." A very funny part of the movie, to be sure. But when it comes to our health, fish really are our friends when they're our food.

You may know fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which may help prevent heart disease. But did you know how you cook fish can make a difference in how good it is for you? A new study revealed that baking or boiling fish (rather than fried, dried or salted fish) results in more benefits from those omega-3s.

Researchers also discovered adding low-sodium soy sauce or tofu to fish is a good idea for women, possibly because they contain other active ingredients that might have a stronger cardioprotective effect than eating just omega-3s.

Not a big fan of fish? Maybe you should try some new recipes. I've had great success with some of the fish recipes on Start Making Choices -- even our 3-year-old likes them (and that's no small feat). Here are a few delicious fish dishes to help your heart and please your tastebuds:

Chile-Lime Salmon with Asparagus Almond Brown Rice: Baked salmon drizzled with a spicy chile lime sauce served over brown rice with asparagus and almonds.

Baked Red Snapper: Flaky snapper fillets drenched in a flavorful combination of lemon juice, shallots and garlic

Baked Tilapia with Corn and Tomatoes: Dill-seasoned tilapia with corn and tomatoes baked in foil packets for a quick and easy meal

Grilled Halibut Sandwiches: Tender grilled halibut served on a Kaiser roll and homemade tartar sauce

Grilled Tuna with Roasted Corn & Avocado Relish: Grilled tuna steaks topped with a smoky corn and avocado relish