Why Whelk Meat? Gym Rats Go Crazy for New Super Food
Whelk (species Buccinum undatum), a type of sea snail harvested from Canada’s Atlantic coast, is making waves among fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals—and for good reason. This unique mollusk is not only a culinary delicacy but also a nutritional powerhouse, perfect for those seeking a balanced diet packed with benefits.
One of whelk’s standout features is its incredible protein content. A 100-gram serving contains approximately 48 grams of protein, fulfilling 95% of the recommended daily value. This high-quality, easily digestible protein supports muscle repair, growth, and recovery, making whelk an ideal choice for athletes, gym-goers, and anyone focused on rehabilitation or physical activity.
In addition to protein,whelk is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It provides significant levels of vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, and potassium, all crucial for maintaining energy levels, supporting oxygen transport, and optimizing cellular function. A 100-gram serving offers 30 mg of iron (377% of the daily recommended value) and 172 mg of magnesium (123% of the daily value), helping to boost overall health and vitality.
Whelk is harvested sustainably in Canada’s North Atlantic, particularly off Newfoundland and Labrador, where it has been commercially fished since 1986. Fishermen use long-line baited traps at depths of 45 to 60 m
eters. After landing, the whelks are deshelled, cooked whole, and packed in 3-lb (1
.362 KG) food-grade tubs (6 tubs per case, 18 lbs per case ) topped with brine water to preserve freshness. Frozen and shipped by reefer trucks to Smokey Bay Seafood in Vancouver, this succulent product is distributed down the West Coast from British Columbia to California.
Preparing whelk is simple and versatile. If you are receiving the whelk in 3 lbs tubs you may want to partially thaw the product, divide it into smaller portions, and store it in Ziplock bags for future use. For a quick and delicious meal, thaw it in the fridge for about 12 hours, then thinly slice and marinate in ginger, sesame oil, green onion, and garlic before giving it a quick fry. The result? A flavorful and nutrient-dense snack or main dish.
Incorporating whelk into your diet offers a flavorful and nutrient-dense option, particularly beneficial for those focused on muscle development and overall health. Its high protein content, coupled with a rich array of vitamins and minerals, makes whelk a valuable addition to a health-conscious lifestyle.
Some sources:
https://www.nutritionadvance.com/whelk-nutrition-benefits/
https://foodstruct.com/food/whelk
https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/212579.pdf
https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/ifmp-gmp/whelk-buccin/2021/index-eng.html
Patrick Warren is the founder of Smokey Bay Seafood Group, which has been in continuous operation since 1998. He has extensive experience in the seafood industry, including work in both shellfish aquaculture – manila clam, pacific oysters, and wild fisheries such as dungeness crab, geoduck, wild salmon, and crustaceans. He has developed long lasting export programs to Asia, Europe, and North America. Patrick’s career also includes collaborative projects with tribal and First Nations communities and expertise in aquaculture feeds such as krill and algae production. He holds a postgraduate degree in geography and environmental planning. Additionally, Patrick is the majority shareholder of Sebastian Stuart LLC a legacy dock and pier in Anacortes, Washington, and the founder of Eldorado Square in New Denver, BC. He also served as Park Board Commissioner for Vancouver, BC at a time that significant decisions were made for the city’s parks, aquarium, sea wall, and community centers.