My Meals are on Wheels

Bread Crumb Crusted Tilapia w/ Shells and Cheese, Green Beans, and…

Today’s Menu: Bread Crumb Crusted Tilapia w/ Shells and Cheese, Green Beans, and Whole Grain Bread

 
I prepared a Bread Crumb Crusted Tilapia w/ Velveeta Shells and Cheese, Green Beans, and Whole Grain Bread for dinner tonight. The Tilapia are the ones I purchased from Costco a while back. They come pre seasoned and already breaded. I fried them on a flat top grill pan. I really like using the grill pans. No oil needed just spray it with Pam Spray and it’s ready. I fried them about 4 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Then for a sides I prepared a single serving of Del Monte Cut Green Beans and I also microwaved a single serving of Velveeta/Kraft Shells & Cheese (made with 2% milk). For Bread i used Aunt Millie’s Light Whole Grain Bread. Later tonight for dessert a 4 Slice Package of Dole Banana Dippers (Covered in Dark Chocolate).

 
Tilapia

Tilapia (pron.: /tɨˈlɑːpiə/ ti-la-pee-ə) is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia are mainly freshwater fish, inhabiting shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes, and less commonly found living in brackish water. Historically, they have been of major importance in artisan fishing in Africa and the Levant, and are of increasing importance in aquaculture. Tilapia can become problematic invasive species in new warm-water habitats, whether deliberately or accidentally introduced, but generally not in temperate climates due to their inability to survive in cooler waters below about 21 °C (70 °F).

 
Whole tilapia fish can be processed into skinless, boneless (PBO) fillets: the yield is from 30 percent to 37 percent, depending on fillet size and final trim. The use of tilapia in the commercial food industry has led to the virtual extinction of genetically pure bloodlines. Most wild tilapia today are hybrids of several species.
Tilapia have very low levels of mercury, as they are fast-growing, lean and short-lived, with a primarily vegetarian diet, so do not accumulate mercury found in prey. Feral tilapia, however, may accumulate substantial quantities of mercury. Tilapia is low in saturated fat, calories, carbohydrates and sodium, and is a good protein source. It also contains the micronutrients phosphorus, niacin, selenium, vitamin B12 and potassium.

 
However, typical farm-raised tilapia (the least expensive and most popular source) have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids (the essential nutrient that is an important reason that dieticians recommend eating fish), and a relatively high proportion of omega-6. “Ratios of long-chain omega-6 to long-chain omega-3, AA to EPA, respectively, in tilapia averaged about 11:1, compared to much less than 1:1 (indicating more EPA than AA) in both salmon and trout,” reported a study published in July 2008. The report suggests the nutritional value of farm-raised tilapia may be compromised by the amount of corn included in the feed. The corn contains short-chain omega-6 fatty acids that contribute to the buildup of these materials in the fish.
The lower amounts of omega-3 and the higher ratios of omega-6 fats in US-farmed tilapia raised questions about the health benefits of consuming farmed tilapia fish. Some media reports even controversially suggested that farm-raised tilapia may be worse for the heart than eating bacon or a hamburger. This prompted the release of an open letter, signed by 16 science and health experts from around the world, that stated that both oily (i.e. high in omega-3 fatty acids) fish and lean fish like tilapia are an important part of the diet and concluded that “replacing tilapia or catfish with ‘bacon, hamburgers or doughnuts’ is absolutely not recommended.”

Velveeta Shells and Cheese – 2% Milk Cheese

Shells and Cheese – 2% Milk Cheese. Microwaveable shell pasta and cheese sauce. Made with 2% milk cheese; 1/2 the fat of regular microwaveable shell and cheese. Ready in 3-1/2 minutes. Fat per serving: Regular Microwaveable Shells and Cheese: 8 g.
Nutrition Facts
Calories in Velveeta Shells and Cheese

Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 360.0
Total Fat 12.0 g
Saturated Fat 4.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 20.0 mg
Sodium 940.0 mg
Potassium 0.0 mg
Total Carbohydrate 49.0 g
Dietary Fiber 2.0 g
Sugars 4.0 g
Protein 13.0 g