Likewise, seafood lovers should consider the environment of the fish they are consuming. Wild-caught fish, such as salmon, contains higher amounts of natural minerals from their diets in the ocean, such as iron and calcium. Farm-raised fish are fed specific feed that allows them to be higher in fat, but this is mainly omega 6 while wild-caught has higher omega 3 content. Aside from diet, some researchers believe the stress of the animal plays a role in the higher amounts of omega 6s in the meat of farm-raised animals versus the wild [2, 3, 4].
It's not just meat, the environment your produce items are grown also should be considered when it comes to nutritional value. Organic produce, for example, is free of any pesticides, synthetic fertilizer, irradiation, genetic engineering, and antibiotics in livestock. Research has found organic foods to be more nutritious, containing higher levels of nutrients and omega-3 fats in organic farm animals. Studies have also found organic foods to contain less toxic metals, such as cadmium, and lower pesticide residue [5].
You may not be used to considering where your food comes from, and how it was raised, or grown, but maybe you should. After all, the higher price is well worth it for your overall health in the end.