The Sardine Man
Tello laying with his sardines
Sardines has been Tello's running mate for years. The man keeps a constant inventory of sardines in his pantry. His relationship with these small guys is real. Tellïo has a separate stash he carries in his bookbag when he's on the road. He's even brought a pack of sardines on a date to make sure he was consuming a good quality protein. This doesn't exclude overseas travel either.
Tellïo was in Marrakesh, Morocco in 2016 and followed his heart to be himself. He ordered some sardines while dining out with his comrades. They teased him while they all indulged in ice cream. Tellïo didn't let peer pressure get to him and enjoyed the largest sardines he's ever had. No sooner than that, all his colleagues that mashed up a cup of ice cream ended up with severe bubbleguts. The liquid bowels continued well after the trip ended. The sardines protected Tellïo's gut and nourished him right!
The Bar Harbor brand is a good choice
Tello's obsession with sardines derives from several factors. One thing for sure is eating lower down the food chain - We are what We Eat. Large seafood species have more toxins and metals than their smaller counterparts. In general, fish predators accumulate mercury because they gobble excessively on the smaller fishes. Predators such as tuna, swordfish and sharks are high in mercury. Other factors that influence Tellos' sardine consumption:
Contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, selenium and sodium (vital for muscle contraction, heart health, cofactors for chemical reactions in human health - e.g. selenium helps convert the non-active thyrotropin releasing hormone ((TRH )to the active form of thyroid hormone T3 & T4)
Contains vitamins like A, D, E, B12, & K (critical to immunity, DNA synthesis, gut and skin health)
Provides a decent amount of protein (key to muscle, bone and cartilage)
Has omega-3 fats (polyunsaturated & monounsaturated fats) (importance in combating inflammation, skin and brain health)
Provides retinol; beneficial for vision
Cost effective
Portable
Easy to incorporate as a snack and a meal - e.g. sardines with slices of bagette or pasta and olive oil
Easy to digest
Here is another brand you may want to consider - Ortiz
Tello must clarify, sardines are very different from anchovies. Anchovies differ in color and have a peculiar aroma Tellïo can't endure. More power to the anchovy community, but here it's team sardine. His go-to brand is Ortiz - the glass jar version. To sum it all up, don't get creeped out and underestimate sardines' health benefits potential. They are a healthy food option to keep in your food pantry. For the moment, Tellïo will grab a jar of Ortiz to get his grub on. As Always, Stay Strong & Stay Vivid!
Reference
Kim, HY., Mohan, S. Role and Mechanisms of Actions of Thyroid Hormone on the Skeletal Development. Bone Res 1, 146–161 (2013). https://doi.org/10.4248/BR201302004.
Santos HO, May TL, Bueno AA. Eating more sardines instead of fish oil supplementation: Beyond omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a matrix of nutrients with cardiovascular benefits. Front Nutr. 2023 Apr 14;10:1107475. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1107475. PMID: 37143475; PMCID: PMC10153001.
Corliss, Julie. “Why Eat Lower on the Seafood Chain?” Harvard Health, 22 Mar. 2023, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-eat-lower-on-the-seafood-chain-202303222904.