Paddlefish are North American river fish that live in waters in the Mississippi Valley and down to the gulf areas near Texas and Louisiana. This species of fish is similar in appearance to swordfish with large mouths and paddle-like appendages off the front of their faces. Paddlefish can grow to weigh up to 60 pounds and measure up to 5 feet. Similar in taste to swordfish, give paddlefish a try as a new variety of fish in your diet.

Eating baked or broiled fish as part of your regular eating plan may help reduce your risk of heart problems. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish can help protect the heart against the development of dangerous cardiac rhythm disturbances, as well as help lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel function and may ease inflammation, notes the Harvard School of Public Health website. Opting for paddlefish in place of beef, chicken or pork is also a way to reduce your overall intake of saturated fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease.

The bad news is that one of the most popular ways to eat paddlefish is by deep frying it. This is a health drawback because any fried fish is high in unhealthy saturated fats. Another major drawback to making paddlefish your fish of choice is that they are not considered a sustainable species. Paddlefish are over-farmed, which means that the population has decreased significantly, partly due to the popularity of caviar made from paddlefish eggs. If you are concerned with ecosystems in your area, paddlefish may not be the best choice for you.

Like most fish, paddlefish are a healthy source of protein that is also lower in fat and calories than other types of meat, such as beef or pork. The paddlefish is a type of sturgeon, which is also a healthy source of phosphorus and potassium, as well as vitamin A. While the caviar from paddlefish is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it also contains a significant amount of sodium and fat.

Paddlefish is a large fish that can be cut into steaks and broiled as a nutritious way to get the protein, vitamin and mineral benefits it has to offer without additional fat. Marinate paddlefish steaks for two hours in your favorite fish marinade, which might include soy sauce, white wine vinegar, crushed garlic and brown sugar, and then broil the steaks until they are firm and flake easily with a fork, flipping halfway through cooking. Boil the marinade until it reduces by half and brush it on the fish during the last two minutes of broiling.