Fish is a staple of every bodybuilder’s diet. Even before we knew that certain fats were actually good for us, most types of fish made a great source of lean protein for the serious weight trainer. On today’s bodybuilding menu, fattier fish like tuna and trout also make the list, thanks to their essential omega-3 fatty acids that not only offer health benefits, but also can actually enhance muscle growth and fat loss. Low-fat fish, such as cod, halibut, sole, light tuna and tilapia still makes a great meal for bodybuilders.
So, if FLEX is telling you that tilapia is a good low-fat fish to eat, you may be wondering why the mainstream media has been telling you to avoid tilapia like the plague. That’s a great question, and of course, we have a great answer. It’s just another case of scientists failing to use common sense. The researchers who claimed that tilapia was unhealthier for you than bacon or a greasy burger were from Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina). Why did they make this claim? It’s because, according to a study they published in a 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, tilapia has an unsavory ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids.