Swordfish

seafood

Swordfish

7/ 10Good
Controversy: 5.0

Rated by 11 diets

6 approve4 caution1 avoid
Is Swordfish Healthy?

Yes — Swordfish is broadly considered healthy. 6 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g

Diet Ratings

Keto9/10APPROVED

Swordfish is carb-free with good fat and protein content. Rich in selenium and B vitamins. Whole, unprocessed food that fits keto macros well.

Vegan1/10AVOID

Swordfish is fish flesh. It is incompatible with vegan diet principles which exclude all fish and seafood.

Paleo6/10CAUTION

Unprocessed whole fish but high in mercury. Paleo-compliant as food but health concerns warrant moderation. Frequency of consumption should be limited.

iSome paleo authorities recommend avoiding high-mercury fish entirely; others accept occasional consumption for nutrient density.

Mediterranean6/10CAUTION

Quality seafood meeting twice-weekly recommendation with good protein and omega-3 content. However, swordfish accumulates higher mercury levels than many other fish. Moderation advised, particularly for vulnerable populations. Traditional in Mediterranean but mercury concern warrants caution.

iSome Mediterranean diet authorities emphasize swordfish as a traditional staple in Mediterranean coastal regions and consider occasional consumption acceptable given overall diet benefits. Mercury concerns vary by individual health status.

Carnivore9/10APPROVED

Unprocessed fish, complete protein, nutrient-dense, fully aligned with carnivore diet principles.

Whole309/10APPROVED

Fresh swordfish is whole seafood with no additives. Compliant protein source when prepared without non-compliant seasonings or sauces.

Low-FODMAP9/10APPROVED

Swordfish is a pure protein source with no FODMAPs. Monash classifies all plain, unprocessed fish as low-FODMAP at any serving size.

DASH7/10APPROVED

Lean fish with good protein and omega-3 content. Low sodium and saturated fat. Some concern regarding mercury content in larger predatory fish, but DASH guidelines support fish consumption. Acceptable as part of varied fish intake.

iNIH DASH guidelines emphasize fish as core protein; however, updated clinical interpretation recommends limiting high-mercury fish (swordfish, shark) to 1-2 servings monthly, especially for pregnant women and children. For general hypertension management in adults, swordfish remains acceptable with frequency moderation.

Zone7/10APPROVED

Lean fish with good protein and moderate omega-3s. Low saturated fat and excellent for Zone meals. Minor concern: higher mercury content, so moderate frequency recommended but not a Zone disqualifier.

Good source of omega-3s and selenium, but high mercury content limits consumption frequency. EPA/DHA content supports anti-inflammatory benefits, but mercury accumulation creates toxicity concerns. Limit to 1-2 servings monthly, especially for vulnerable populations.

GLP-1 Friendly6/10CAUTION

Swordfish provides good protein (20g per 3.5oz) and is relatively lean (5g fat per 3.5oz). However, swordfish accumulates high levels of mercury, which is a concern for long-term consumption. FDA recommends limiting to 1 serving per week. Acceptable occasionally but not as a staple protein source for GLP-1 patients.

Controversy Index

Score range: 19/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus5.0Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Swordfish

Keto 9/10
  • 0g net carbs per 100g
  • Good fat content (5g per 100g)
  • High protein (20g per 100g)
  • Whole, unprocessed food
Paleo 6/10
  • Whole food
  • High mercury content
  • Limit frequency
  • Rich in nutrients but health risk
Mediterranean 6/10
  • Seafood category
  • Omega-3 present
  • Higher mercury content
  • Traditional Mediterranean
  • Moderation recommended
Carnivore 9/10
  • Unprocessed fish
  • Complete protein
  • Selenium rich
  • Minimal processing
Whole30 9/10
  • unprocessed seafood
  • whole food
  • no additives
Low-FODMAP 9/10
  • Pure protein
  • No fermentable carbohydrates
  • Unprocessed fish
DASH 7/10
  • Lean protein source
  • Omega-3 content
  • Low sodium
  • Mercury content consideration
Zone 7/10
  • Lean protein
  • Moderate omega-3s
  • Low saturated fat
  • Mercury consideration for frequency
  • Moderate omega-3 content
  • High mercury levels
  • Good selenium content
  • Frequency restrictions necessary
  • Good protein (20g per 3.5oz)
  • Low fat (5g per 3.5oz)
  • High mercury content
  • FDA recommends 1 serving per week maximum
  • Better as occasional choice
Last reviewed: Our methodology