Can you eat trout skin

Fish skin has been eaten safely throughout history. As long as fish have been properly cleaned and the outer scales fully removed, the skin is typically safe to eat. Because fish is a great source of nutrients like iron and omega-3 fatty acids, the Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends eating a 4-ounce gram serving of fish 2—3 times per week 2.

However, some fish contain high levels of mercury and other toxins and contaminants, all of which can be present in the skin as well 3 , 4 , 5.

Therefore, choosing low-mercury fish more often than high-mercury fish is recommended. Here are a few examples of the typical mercury content of fish 2 :. Use similar guidelines to choose fish skin as you would when choosing the types of fish to eat. Fish skin is safe to eat as long as the fish has been cleaned and properly cared for prior to eating. Eating the skin of fish that are lower in mercury and other contaminants will limit your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

The exact nutritional profile of fish skin varies significantly depending on the type of fish. That said, most fish are rich in a few key nutrients.

Eating fish skin from a variety of fatty and lean fish can help ensure adequate intake of nutrients, including 6 :. Fish, including its skin, is a great source of dietary protein — an essential nutrient that serves as building blocks for tissues like muscles in the human body. Protein may also contribute to optimal health by reducing the risk of certain disorders like stunted growth, low iron levels, and swelling in the body 7.

Moreover, some proteins, such as histones and transferrin, play a role in immunity. Many of these proteins are present in the mucus of fish skin 8.

One of the best known benefits of fatty fish is their high level of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming the omega-3 fatty acids in the skin of oily fish may contribute to optimal health with benefits like heart protection, healthy pregnancies, and a reduced risk of brain diseases 9.

Fish skin is a good source of collagen and vitamin E, both of which contribute to healthy human skin For example, studies have found that collagen could improve skin hydration, elasticity, and other trademarks of aging like wrinkles 11 , On the other hand, vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant, more commonly found in oily fish like salmon and trout.

This is a good practice to follow when eating the skin or not. Australis Barramundi is always a safe choice as it has no traceable amounts of mercury, contaminants, or PCBs.

Avoid eating tuna skin, which is thick and tough, and skate skin, which is prickly. Swordfish and monkfish also have thick, leathery skins that you probably want to avoid. Salmon skin is delicious, as is barramundi skin—especially when cooked nice and crispy. Along with the scales and bones, skin from fresh of saltwater fish is used to create fish collagen, one of the more bioavailable sources of type 1 collagen. Collagen from fish is a protein that helps to keep the skin, skeletal system bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles , blood vessels, gums, eyes, nails, and hair strong and flexible.

Type 1 collagen is essential for beautiful skin and maintaining strength. As we get older, our bodies lose the ability to manufacture collagen, which makes it essential to include in our diets to slow the effects of aging. Rinse the trout thoroughly inside and out and prepare to cook as you wish. NOTE: If you like to eat the fish skin, make sure you remove all the fish scales before cooking.

With the trout held firmly by the tail, scrape very firmly from the tail to the gills several times on both sides with a sharp knife. Unless the trout is really big and old and has lived in polluted water, the skin is perfectly safe and nutritious to eat. Depending upon the preparation method, it can be a quite tasty part of the eating experience. Trout are generally found in clear lakes and streams. After you catch a trout, it needs to be cleaned properly before you can consume it.

Part of the cleaning process involves removing the scales from the fish. Scales do not need removed from a trout, but many people prefer to remove them due to the texture. Let me clear the air of any future misconceptions right here and now: Trout have teeth, and they know how to use them.