Ask Dr. Gourmet

Is tilapia good for diabetics?

I'd like to eat more fish but it can be expensive. Tilapia is pretty cheap - is it good for diabetics?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

Tilapia is a good fish choice, but it should not be the only fish you eat. There is a higher ratio of Omega-6 fatty acids to Omega-3 fatty acids in that variety of fish, and that is OK - but not for every day.

My recommendation for seafood is to consume a wide variety of fish and shellfish. Tilapia one day and then salmon the next, followed by shrimp, for example.

There are so many great choices that you may not have to repeat yourself twice in a month, even if you ate fish every other day. Catfish, tuna, shrimp, mussels, cod, and drum are all pretty reasonably priced (comparatively speaking). For special occasions, halibut, grouper, crab, and lobster are delicious but a little higher priced.

By mixing up your choices of fish and shellfish, you will get a wide variety of great nutrients.

Thanks for writing,

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP
Dr. Gourmet