Shrimps: Healthy or not

Is shrimp healthy or is it secretly full of cholesterol?

Shrimps are among fish categories that are rich in healthy fats. Even if they get bad reputation among high cholesterol content. Moreover, cooking them in the right way keep them healthy source of good fat and lean protein source.

Is shrimp healthy?

4 ounces of cooked shrimps contain:

· 112 calories

· 27 g protein

· 0.32 g fat (0 g saturated fat)

· 0.23 g carbohydrates

· 0 g sugar

· 126 g sodium

Moreover shrimps has a rich nutrition profile as they are rich in selenium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium. In addition to omega-3 and omega-6 in small amounts. Moreover, they provide muscle-building protein. They also contain astaxanthin a powerful antioxidant for protecting eye sight.

Is there any reason I shouldn't eat shrimp?

If you have shrimps allergy you can find alternative choices high in omega-3 like salmon and tuna.

When you are dining out avoid unhealthy choices like: tempura shrimp, popcorn shrimp, and garlic butter shrimp. Moreover, avoid fried shrimps as they become rich in unhealthy fat and become worse source of fat.

Okay, but what about cholesterol?

Considering cholesterol content in shrimps it is higher than other types of fish moreover, dietary cholesterol don’t really increase level of cholesterol unless you are increasing consumption of saturated fatty acid food.

AHA recommends an intake of cholesterol to be kept below 300 mg daily but considering cholesterol content in shrimps it is about 161 mg per 4 ounces which is low compared to processed food and red meat.

How do I choose the right shrimp?

Here's a checklist for what you should look when you buy raw shrimps:

· It's from a reputable supplier

· It's firm to the touch

· It has a mild odor that isn’t too fishy

It doesn’t make a difference whether you purchase your shrimp in a bulk bag from the frozen aisle or from the fish counter, as long as the shrimp meets the above criteria.

For an extra layer of security, you can always ask the employee serving the shrimp behind the counter if it came in frozen, when it was delivered to the store, and where it came from (the longer the distance, the higher the risk of spoiling in transit).

How can I make shrimp healthier?

You can sauté, bake, or broil it in olive oil or you can steam it in boiled water with added spices.

When you order at restaurant ask for shrimp’s cocktail as appetizers which is simply boiled or poached without any extra ingredients. Or you can order it grilled and you may add it to your pasta or salad to boost protein content.

You can make healthy sauce at home simply by combining your own preferred ratio of horseradish, ketchup and lemon juice.

Sources:

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a26413534/is-shrimp-healthy/

https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/salted-eggs-shrimps/