What is the main area of focus when weighing seafood against dietary guidelines?

The composition of its fat content

When evaluating seafood, such as pompano, in the context of established dietary guidelines, the primary metric for concern or commendation is not merely the absolute amount of fat present in the fish. Instead, significant attention must be paid to the qualitative breakdown of those fats. This involves dissecting the proportions of different fatty acid types—specifically looking at the balance between saturated fats, which dietary recommendations often advise limiting, and the beneficial unsaturated fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties. Understanding this composition dictates whether the fat contributes positively or negatively toward maintaining healthy lipid panels, especially for individuals monitoring cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol.