Hey there! I’ve been getting tons of questions about shrimp and carbs lately, so I thought I’d break it down for ya’ll As someone who’s been following a low-carb diet for years and cooking up these little sea creatures regularly, I’m excited to share everything I know about shrimp and their carb content
The Quick Answer: Shrimp is Super Low-Carb!
Let me cut straight to the chase – shrimp are basically carb-free! A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains only about 0.2 grams of net carbs Yep, you read that right – practically zero carbs!
Detailed Nutritional Breakdown of Shrimp
Here’s what you’ll get in a 3-ounce serving of cooked shrimp
- Calories: 84
- Total Carbs: 0.2g
- Protein: 20.4g
- Fat: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 211mg
- Sodium: 94mg
Bonus Nutrients:
- Phosphorus: 201mg
- Vitamin B12: 1.4mcg
- Selenium: 31.8mcg
- Choline: 86.8mg
Why Shrimp is Perfect for Low-Carb Diets
I love recommending shrimp to my friends who’re starting their low-carb journey because:
- It’s super low in carbs
- Packs a serious protein punch (20g per serving!)
- Contains almost no fat
- Versatile for cooking
- Quick to prepare
Watch Out! When Shrimp Gets Carby
Now, here’s where people sometimes mess up. While plain shrimp is practically carb-free, certain preparations can add carbs:
- Breaded and fried shrimp: ~9.5g net carbs per 3oz
- Shrimp teriyaki: ~12.6g net carbs per cup
- Shrimp cocktail sauce: Can add 8-12g carbs
- Shrimp gumbo: ~15.7g net carbs per cup
My Favorite Low-Carb Shrimp Recipes
1. Simple Garlic Shrimp Scampi
- Only 0.01g net carbs per cup!
- Uses butter, garlic, and white wine
- Ready in 15 minutes
2. Keto Shrimp Curry
Ingredients I use:
- 1 pound shrimp
- Coconut milk
- Curry powder
- Garlic and ginger
- Butter
- Seasoning to taste
3. Low-Carb Grits Alternative
(Perfect for my Southern friends missing their shrimp and grits!)
- Uses cauliflower rice instead of regular grits
- Topped with butter-sautéed shrimp
- Creamy and satisfying
Health Benefits Beyond Being Low-Carb
We’re not just talking about carbs here – shrimp’s got lots more going for it:
- Helps with weight management (low-cal protein source)
- Great for muscle building
- Supports heart health
- Provides brain-boosting nutrients
- Strengthens bones (thanks to that protein and mineral content)
Storage and Safety Tips
Listen up! Here’s how I make sure my shrimp stays fresh:
- Buy shrimp that’s shiny and translucent
- Store in fridge immediately
- Use within 2 days if fresh
- Keep frozen shrimp at 0°F
- Cook until flesh is pearly and opaque (145°F internal temp)
Common Questions I Get About Shrimp
Q: Can I eat shrimp on keto?
A: Heck yeah! It’s one of the most keto-friendly proteins out there.
Q: Does wild-caught vs. farm-raised affect carb content?
A: Nope! The carb content stays the same regardless of source.
Q: What’s the best way to cook shrimp while keeping it low-carb?
A: I love grilling, steaming, or sautéing in butter with simple seasonings.
The Bottom Line
So, are there carbs in shrimp? Barely any! With just 0.2g of carbs per 3-ounce serving, shrimp is pretty much as low-carb as it gets. It’s honestly one of my favorite proteins to recommend for anyone watching their carb intake.
Just remember – keep it simple with the preparation, watch out for sugary sauces, and you’ll have yourself a perfect low-carb protein option that’s versatile and delicious!
We’d love to hear how you prepare your low-carb shrimp dishes! Drop a comment below with your favorite recipe or any questions you might have about cooking these tasty crustaceans!
Note: As always, if you’ve got shellfish allergies, steer clear and consult your doctor about alternative protein sources!
Grilled vs. Boiled Shrimp Carbs
Preparation matters if your goal is keeping shrimp low-carb. Creating keto-friendly meals is easier the closer you stick to foods in their natural form; using our first example above, stir-frying shrimp will keep carbs in check better than battering and frying will. Grilling and boiling shrimp are great ways to cook shrimp because they don’t add many ingredients (other than seasonings you enjoy) that could up the carbs.
Boiled: boiled shrimp are great for salads, dipping, or as an appetizer, and since you just drop them in boiling water for a few minutes, they couldn’t be easier to cook. Anyone looking to keep shrimp low in carbs will rejoice; 3 ounces of boiled shrimp comes in at just 1.4 grams of carbs.
Grilled: warm weather calls for grilling, and tossing marinated shrimp on the grill adds flavor and texture to your meal, whether you’re making fajitas, kebabs, or surf and turf. It might surprise you that grilled shrimp has only 1.3 grams of carbs per 3-ounce serving, but remember, that means marinating without high-carb sauces, like BBQ or other condiments high in sugar.
Carbs in Shrimp Tempura
Tempura shrimp, a Japanese version of battered, deep-fried shrimp, has a light, puffy batter made from flour, egg, and ice water. This combination takes the carb count to 31 grams for four pieces of shrimp, so ordering this dish at your favorite Japanese steakhouse is probably the wrong choice for keto dieters.