# Is breaded and fried fish still considered "good" for you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [September 9, 2024, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988 "2024-09-09T03:18:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/1 "2024-09-09T03:18:16Z")
Or does the added oil override any benefits? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/2 "2024-09-09T03:55:40Z")
Ummm. I’m gonna say “no”, not good for you. Unless it’s your soul you’re feeding. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/3 "2024-09-09T06:32:07Z")
Whaddya mean “still” I don’t think anything breaded & deep-fried was ever considered healthy? Delicious, sure. But not good for you, no. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/4 "2024-09-09T06:39:38Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Whaddya mean “still” I took it to mean: Fish is considered healthy. Is it still considered healthy even after being breaded and fried? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/5 "2024-09-09T06:42:58Z")
That kinda makes more sense. Answer is still pretty much “no,” though if the O.P. would like to define “good for you” that’d probably help a bit. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/6 "2024-09-09T06:57:03Z")
All things in moderation. Eat it occasionally: not bad for you if overall there’s a balance in your diet and between your diet input and activity output Eat it all the time: not good for you - hello heart attack! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/7 "2024-09-09T07:06:16Z")
> **[Dietary fried fish intake increases risk of CVD: the REasons for Geographic...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7032933/#:~:text=Conclusions,and%20racial%20disparities%20in%20CVD)** > > The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship of dietary fried fish consumption and risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.Prospective cohort study among participants of the REasons for Geographic And Racial... “Conclusions Fried fish intake of two or more servings per week is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/8 "2024-09-09T08:51:31Z")
Ever since I had my gallbladder removed, I can’t eat deep-fried fish (pan-fried can be OK, in moderation). Not only does it make my stomach hurt like hell, I can’t even taste it - all I taste is the oil. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/9 "2024-09-09T12:51:02Z")
I remember Alton Brown did an episode of his show _Good Eats_ on how to make fish and chips. He said that properly made, the food absorbed only a tablespoon or two of oil. The oil is the cooking medium, not an ingredient. ---
**Author:** ![Quondam\_Mechanic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quondam_mechanic/32/3404_2.png) [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/10 "2024-09-09T18:47:54Z")
Long ago, when my parents lived in England, the old newspapers in which it was wrapped was considered an ingredient. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/11 "2024-09-09T19:02:32Z")
Back when I was growing up the city was dominated by Catholics who observed meatless Fridays. Therefore pop-up stores opened just on Friday to dispense fried fish dinners. I absolutely loved them on the rare occasions my non-Catholic family got one. Sure were good for me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/12 "2024-09-09T19:41:52Z")
There are critical oils in fish that are really good for your body. [Omega-3 in fish: How eating fish helps your heart - Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614#:~:text=All%20fish%20are%20a%20good,of%20dying%20of%20heart%20disease). _The American Heart Association recommends eating fish rich in unsaturated fats at least twice a week. All fish are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. But fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s and other nutrients in fish may improve heart health. They also may lower the risk of dying of heart disease… Does it matter what kind of fish I eat?_ _Many types of seafood contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish contain the most omega-3 fatty acids and seem to benefit the heart the most._ _Good omega-3-rich fish options include:_ \*\* Salmon.\* \*\* Sardine.\* \*\* Atlantic mackerel.\* \*\* Cod.\* \*\* Herring.\* \*\* Lake trout.\* \*\* Canned, light tuna.\* So yeah, the cod often used in Fish & Chips is not a fatty fish, and there is the added oils. But it would still be better than fried chicken or potatoes, etc. I get mine from eating sushi once even fortnite. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/13 "2024-09-09T21:56:05Z")
Probably more so than a steak of equal volume, but otherwise not so much. [3 oz fried catfish: 190 calories, 15% of the fat DV, 14% of the saturated fat DV, 21% of the cholesterol DV, 16 grams of protein, 7 grams carbs .](https://www.nutritionix.com/food/fried-catfish) [3 oz steak: 180 calories, 11% of the fat DV, 18% of the saturated fat DV, 25% of the cholesterol DV, 25 grams of protein.](https://www.nutritionix.com/i/usda/steak-3-oz/513fceb575b8dbbc21001bd1) [3 oz " Fish, catfish, channel, farmed, cooked, dry heat" - 122 calories, 8% of the fat DV, 7% of the saturated fat DV, 18% of the cholesterol DV, and 16 grams of protein.](https://www.nutritionix.com/i/usda/fish-catfish-channel-farmed-cooked-dry-heat-3-oz/513fceb675b8dbbc2100215e) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/14 "2024-09-09T22:09:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I remember Alton Brown did an episode of his show _Good Eats_ on how to make fish and chips. He said that properly made, the food absorbed only a tablespoon or two of oil. The oil is the cooking medium, not an ingredient. Granted, but the “properly made” is doing a whole lot of work there. Cleaned oil, hot and sustained temperatures, batter that isn’t made with a ton of “stuff” etc etc etc. The fried fish you buy from the megamart has a lot of stuff added, and plenty of oil in the breading so that when you cook it in a pan, or oven, or air fryer, you come out with the appropriate texture. The stuff you buy from most restaurants may or may not have as much stuff, but you may have compromises in the cooking oil or temperatures (depending on the places focus) or may be the same/restaurant grade pre-made stuff it it’s just a +1 on some menu to give a “fish” option. At home, you can make sure to leave out the stuff (I keep wanting to link to the movie!) but having the right oil, and getting and maintaining the right temps can be a challenge! So, overall, if I was at a specialty store for fried quality seafood, probably very little extra oil absorbed. Most everywhere else, even at home and trying to do it all right… complications. 🙂 Still, @PatrickLondon is probably most correct - in moderation you’re probably okay with most fried foods as long as the underlying ingredient is healthy - deed fried junk food is right OUT though. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/15 "2024-09-09T22:26:40Z")
The excess carbs in the breading are probably a bigger issue than the fat gained from deep frying. Many other preparation methods add even more fat. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/16 "2024-09-09T22:27:03Z")
We never measured the out going oil when Son-of-a-wrek fries catfish in peanut oil. I assure it’s not for health reasons. But dang it’s good. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/17 "2024-09-09T22:34:39Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > (pan-fried can be OK, in moderation) Pan-fried or even better, grilled, that can be delicious and a lot healthier. I don’t think breaded and deep-fried **anything** is healthy. I wonder when we’ll start seeing deep-fried heart medicine just to cover all the bases. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/18 "2024-09-09T23:06:38Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I took it to mean: Fish is considered healthy. Is it still considered healthy even after being breaded and fried? I took it to mean: Fish is considered healthy. Are people who order Filet O’Fish sandwiches just kidding themselves? ---
**Author:** ![TXRebel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@TXRebel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXRebel)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/19 "2024-09-10T02:13:23Z")
Yes! This! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988/20 "2024-09-10T02:20:10Z")
This topic really should have been in FQ. Opinions here are meaningless. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breaded-and-fried-fish-still-considered-good-for-you/1006988.md?page=2)