Explore shrimp macros! Low-calorie yet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals like selenium, zinc, and iodine, shrimp is a delicious, nutrient-packed addition to your diet. Learn more here.
Love flakey batter-fried shrimp or a decadent shrimp cocktail? No need to skimp on shrimp! The popularshellfishis swimming with nutrients.
Shrimpis a low calorie and nutrient-dense food that contains a hefty serving of protein,vitamin B12, and essentialmineralslikeselenium,zinc, and iodine. Shellfish allergies aside, thiscrustaceanis a healthy addition to most peeps’ plates.
Here’s the scoop on shrimp nutrition and the many benefits of eating this sea starlet.
Shrimp nutrition facts
Sinceshrimpcome in a wide range of sizes and types, their nutrition content varies. Generally, shrimp don’t contain manycaloriesorcarbs, but it is rich in protein,vitamins, and minerals. #Winning
On average, here’s what you’ll get in a 3.5-ounce (100 gram) serving ofsteamed or boiled shrimp:
Shrimp is an especially stellar source ofselenium. Your body needs this mineral for properthyroidfunction,fertility, and infection andinflammationprevention.
This little crustacean also offers small amounts ofomega-3 fatty acidsandiodine. Since your body doesn’t need much of these nutrients to thrive, even a shrimp-sized bit goes a long way.
Benefits of eating shrimp
Shrimp can offer several health benefits for anyone not allergic to shellfish.
Oodles of antioxidants
While shrimp salad won’t cure cancer, theantioxidants in shrimpmay help your body ward offoxidative stress.
In general,antioxidants can supportyour body’s ongoing fight against health probs like:
Heyo, heart health
If you leave behind bang-bang shrimp and shrimp cocktails, these crustaceans become a mean, lean source of protein. And that’s good news for your ticker.
TheMediterranean Diet, which emphasizes lean protein (like shrimp!) over fatty protein (like red meat!), has been shown toreduce the riskof heart disease.
Shrimp also containscholine, which might ward off heart problems by reducing blood pressure.
Weight-loss support
Anyone working tolose weightknows the importance of creating acalorie deficit. Shrimp to the rescue!
Shrimp are low cal and stuffed with protein, whichis knownto boost feelings of fullness. So, a cup o’ shrimp will satisfy you more than, say, a tossed salad — but you’ll still keep your calorie count low.
High protein, low carb eats like shrimp help folkslose weight(if that’s your goal) without feeling deprived.
Shrimp contains protein,magnesium, and selenium, which all play a part in bone health.
More studies are needed, butresearchsuggests that higher protein intake = better bone density.
To be clear, you’re able to’t just shrimp-fest your way out of brittle bones. Strong, healthy bones require awell-balanced dietandregular movement.
Safe seafood for pregnant peeps
Unlike some seafood, shrimp containsvery low levels of mercury. So, if you’repregnant, you should be able to safely add shrimp to the weekly menu.
Researchalso suggests that pregnant peeps who consume more omega-3s are less likely to give birth prematurely. And while shrimp won’t supply you withheapsofomega-3s, it’s not a bad start.
Brain food
Remember thecholinein shrimp? Well, it’s essential for memory andbrain function.
Beyond that,astaxanthin, one of the antioxidants in shrimp, may help protect against Alzheimer’s and other neurocognitive declines.
Are there any risks of eating shrimp?
Shrimp should be safe for most people to eat. But there are a few potential risks. 👇
Shellfish allergies affect about2 percentof the U.S. population. And shrimp = public enemy No. 1 for folks with shellfish allergies.
Anallergic reactionmight trigger:
Think you might be allergic to shellfish?Don’t. eat. shrimp.And talk with your doc about getting an EpiPen.
Shellfish poisoning
In a 2011 report,researcherswrote, “Shellfish poisoning frequently masquerades as an allergic reaction.” In other words, sometimes folks assume they’re allergic because they’ve eaten contaminated shrimp.
You canreduce the risk of shellfishpoisoning by eating shrimp that’s been properly refrigerated or frozen ASAP after being caught. Oh, and if it smells funky, don’t eat it!
Iodine and mercury overload
Shrimp contains iodine. Your thyroid needs someiodine to function, but ingesting too much can dial up your risk for conditions likehypothyroidism.
You probably know that seafood contains mercury. In the world of sea critters, shrimp has thethird-lowest mercury concentration(after scallops and clams). So, while mercury overload is super unlikely, it’s a risk to keep in mind.
Gout attack
Shrimp might not be your friend if you havegoutorkidney probs. That’s because eating shrimp can raise your uric acid levels — acommon triggerfor gout attacks.
How to choose and safely store shrimp
A shrimp is not just a shrimp. It could be a wild white shrimp, a rock shrimp, a northern pink shrimp… Sinceshrimpcome in many types and sizes, choose your shrimp variety according to your recipe.
But how do you verify you’re getting the best shrimp? Here are a few tips on how to safely choose and storeshrimp:
How to prepare shrimp
As shrimp stan Bubba would say, “you may barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it.” There are endless ways to prepareshrimp.
If you’ve purchased frozen shrimp, let it defrost in the fridge or in cold water. Depending on the recipe, you may also want to devein the shrimp and peel off the shell before cooking.
FYI that dark line running along the shrimp’s length isn’t actually a vein — it’s the critter’s digestive tract. While eating it won’t hurt you, many folks do remove it. To devein shrimp:
Ready to get cooking? If you need some #shrimpspo, try these recipes:
Depending on how you prepare it,shrimpcan be a healthy low calorie, high protein snack.Shrimpalso contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like selenium, magnesium, and iodine.
Most folks — including pregnant people — can safely enjoy shrimp’s nutritional bounty. But anyone with a shellfish allergy must steer clear ofshrimp. Shrimp might also not be a healthy choice for people living with gout.
To get the most health benefits from shrimp, buy it frozen (or fresh from the water!). Look for firm, plump shrimp with a pleasantly salty smell. Keep your meal light and well-balanced by steaming or boiling the shrimp instead of battering and frying it.Bon appetit!
