Across the globe, there are a few rare places where people live significantly longer—and better. These regions, known as Blue Zones, are home to some of the highest concentrations of centenarians in the world. While each culture is different, they share common threads: strong communities, daily movement, and a diet built around whole, nourishing foods.

And yes in many of these blue zones, seafood plays a role.

Food as a Way of Life

In many Blue Zone regions—like Okinawa, Japan; Icaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica—seafood is incorporated in balance. It’s not always the centerpiece of every meal, but it’s a reliable, nutrient-dense source of protein that supports brain and heart health.

Rather than focusing on volume, these communities focus on quality and simplicity. Seafood is often enjoyed grilled, stewed, or lightly seasoned—paired with fresh vegetables, legumes, or whole grains, and always eaten mindfully.

Meals aren’t rushed. They’re shared with family, friends, and neighbors. And seafood isn’t just food—it’s part of a deeper connection to land, sea, and tradition.

Lessons from the Longest-Living

Here’s what we can learn from the Blue Zones about how to eat well and live well:

• Keep it simple. A few ingredients prepared with care often go further than a complicated recipe.

• Choose quality over quantity. When you source well, you don’t need a lot.

• Make meals intentional. Eating slowly and with others is good for digestion—and for the soul.

• Incorporate seafood regularly as part of a balanced, whole-food lifestyle.

Our Blue Zone-Inspired Approach

At Whidbey Seafoods, we’re lucky—we know that. We have access to some of the best wild seafood in the world, and we don’t take it for granted. Our bodies are used to being fueled by this kind of food, and honestly? We notice a difference when we go a few days without it.

Seafood makes us feel light—not weighed down or “stuffed.” It gives us steady energy, clearer minds, better moods, and a greater sense of balance. And one thing we have noticed is that sometimes the simpler we keep it, the better we feel. And that’s what makes us feel like the Blue Zones are really on to something.

We believe food should do more than just fill you up—it should nourish you, body and soul. That’s what we aim for with every fish we catch and every box we send out.

Want to eat like the world’s longest-living communities? These Blue Zone–inspired seafood recipes using Whidbey favorites are a great place to start.