Eating a healthy diet can be expensive. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 90% of adults say healthy food has gotten more expensive in recent years. While seafood has long been viewed as the pricier protein compared to beef, the tide is turning—and the data tells a compelling story.

Beef Prices Are Spiking

The US cattle herd is at its lowest point in 70 years. A combination of severe drought, pandemic supply-chain disruptions, rising interest rates, and high tariffs on imports has driven costs sharply upward. Rebuilding a herd takes years, and with beef at record prices, ranchers face little short-term incentive to do so.

The USDA projects beef and veal prices will rise another 5.5% in 2026. Over the longer view, beef has increased more than 50% since 2020, with no structural fix on the horizon.

Seafood Prices Have Risen, But Not Spiked

Seafood faces pressures too—climate, overfishing concerns, and fuel costs all play a role. But its supply dynamics are fundamentally different. Aquaculture and fish populations respond to market conditions faster than cattle herds, and global seafood trade is spread across dozens of species and countries. The result: seafood prices rose just 5.1% over the same period beef climbed 15%.

Seafood is looking more and more like the savvy shopper's protein of choice.

Nutrition: Seafood vs. Beef

Both meat and seafood contain all 10 essential amino acids your body needs. The difference is in fat—specifically saturated fat:

Source: ASC Aquaculture Stewardship Council

The Health Case for Eating More Fish

Eating fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to directly address many of the leading health challenges Americans face today:

• Heart Health The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in fatty fish reduce triglycerides, lower blood pressure, slow arterial plaque buildup, and lower the risk of irregular heartbeat. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week.
• Obesity & Insulin Resistance Regular seafood consumption appears to increase weight loss and reduce insulin resistance markers. Diets rich in fish are linked to significantly lower obesity rates compared to diets high in red and processed meat.
• Brain Health & Mood DHA, a key omega-3 in fish, is a structural component of brain cells. Regular seafood consumption is linked to better cognitive function. EPA has also shown mood and stress benefits, particularly in middle-aged women.
• Muscle Strength & Healthy Aging Seafood provides lean protein combined with omega-3s, calcium, and vitamin D—a combination that supports muscle maintenance. Studies show seniors supplementing with EPA and DHA from fish oil see meaningful gains in muscle mass and strength.
• Vision Protection Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50. Research suggests that higher dietary omega-3 intake is associated with a reduced risk of developing AMD.