Hey there! I’ve been getting tons of questions about whether shrimp is okay to eat when watching carbs. Let me break down everything you need to know about shrimp and carbs in simple terms.
The Quick Answer
Nope, shrimp isn’t high in carbs at all! In fact, it’s one of the most carb-friendly proteins you can eat. A 3-ounce serving of plain shrimp contains just 0.2 grams of carbs. Pretty amazing, right?
Shrimp Nutrition Facts Per 3oz Serving
- Carbs: 0.2g
- Protein: 20g
- Calories: 85
- Fat: Less than 1g
Why Shrimp is Great for Low-Carb Diets
Here’s why I love recommending shrimp to my health-conscious friends:
- Super Low in Carbs: With practically zero carbs, shrimp fits into any low-carb eating plan
- High in Protein: Keeps you feeling full without the carb crash
- Low in Calories: Great for weight management
- Nutrient-Rich: Packed with good stuff like:
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Iodine
- Selenium
Carb Counts in Popular Shrimp Dishes
But here’s the thing – how you prepare shrimp makes a huge difference in the carb count Let me break it down for ya
Low-Carb Shrimp Preparations
- Boiled shrimp: 1.4g carbs per 3oz
- Grilled shrimp: 1.3g carbs per 3oz
- Shrimp scampi (without pasta): 0.01g carbs per cup
- Garlic butter shrimp: ~1g carbs per serving
High-Carb Shrimp Dishes (Watch Out!)
- Fried shrimp: 40g carbs per serving
- Coconut shrimp: 31g carbs per serving
- Shrimp tempura: 31g carbs per 4 pieces
- Shrimp cocktail with sauce: 19g carbs (mostly from cocktail sauce)
Tips for Keeping Shrimp Low-Carb
-
Choose Simple Cooking Methods:
- Grilling
- Boiling
- Sautéing
- Steaming
-
Watch Your Sauces:
- Skip sugary glazes
- Avoid cocktail sauce
- Use butter, garlic, lemon instead
-
Smart Substitutions:
- Replace pasta with zucchini noodles
- Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice
- Try lettuce wraps instead of tortillas
Easy Low-Carb Shrimp Recipe Ideas
Quick Garlic Shrimp (Under 2g carbs)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Simple Grilled Shrimp Skewers (1.3g carbs)
- 1 lb large shrimp
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
The Bottom Line
Look, I’ve been studying nutrition for years, and shrimp is definitely one of the best low-carb proteins out there The key is keeping the preparation simple Skip the breading and sugary sauces, and you’re good to go!
Remember Plain shrimp = practically zero carbs It’s what we add to it that can make the carb count climb!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Buy peeled and deveined shrimp to save time
- Keep frozen shrimp on hand for quick meals
- Season well but keep it simple
- When in doubt, garlic butter is your friend!
Need more low-carb recipe ideas? Drop a comment below, and I’ll share some of my fave shrimp recipes that won’t bust your carb budget!
Disclaimer: While I aim to provide accurate nutritional information, values may vary slightly based on specific products and preparation methods used.
How to Prepare Shrimp
Shrimp is a versatile food that you can cook in several ways. Healthier methods include:
Unless you live near the coast, shrimp at your local grocery likely arent fresh. Theyll be frozen or previously frozen and thawed. Some food experts will tell you its OK to buy thawed shrimp if you plan on cooking them right away. Just dont refreeze them. Others argue that thawed shrimp may have been frozen and thawed more than once, which affects both texture and flavor.
âWhen you see a product labeled âfresh frozen,â it means that the seafood was frozen when it was fresh, often within a few hours of harvest. Frozen seafood can be better in quality compared to fresh seafood. But donât buy frozen shrimp if the package shows signs of ice crystals or frost.Â
Methods vary, but to prepare your shrimp, first soak them in cold water before you clean them. Some cooks use salt water. To remove the shell, pull the legs off first and use your thumbs to separate the shell from the body. You can pull the head away as the shell comes off.
You can remove the tail next, but thats optional. Also up to you is “deveining” the shrimp. The “vein” is the black digestive tract that runs along the back. Simply use a paring knife to separate the flesh in a line and dig it out.
When youre done cleaning, rinse the shrimp and pat them dry.
Make sure you cook the shrimp completely. Youll know its ready when they curl up â almost in the shape of the letter “C” â and the gray turns pink.
 Risks of Eating ShrimpÂ
Shellfish, including shrimp, is also the cause of a common and sometimes severe food allergy. More than half the people who are allergic to shellfish have their first reaction as an adult.
Avoid shrimp that has an unusual smell to it, especially if it smells like ammonia, which is a sign of bacterial growth.
High mercury levels are a concern, especially for pregnant people. But shrimp tend to have low levels of mercury and are typically safe to eat during pregnancy.Â
Is shrimp high in cholesterol?
One potential concern is the high amount of cholesterol in shrimp. Experts once held that eating too many foods high in cholesterol was bad for the heart. But modern research shows its the saturated fat in your diet that raises cholesterol levels in your body, not necessarily the amount of cholesterol in your food. Still, if youre wary of the stuff, moderation is key.
Shrimp and foodborne illness
As mentioned above, raw shrimp can lead to several foodborne illnesses, which is why its important to buy and eat shrimp from trusted sources.Â
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FAQ
Can I eat shrimp on a low carb diet?
For seafood enthusiasts following a low carb lifestyle, shrimp is a delectable protein option that is not only delicious but also versatile. Bursting with flavor and essential nutrients, shrimp is an excellent addition to any low carb diet.
Which is healthier, chicken or shrimp?
Chicken is richer in proteins, iron, zinc, and vitamins B2, B3, B5, and B6. In comparison, shrimp is richer in magnesium, phosphorus, copper, calcium, selenium, and choline. However, shrimp is higher in sodium. Comparatively, chicken meat with skin is higher in total fats and calories.
Is shrimp healthy for weight loss?
What seafood is low carb?
Cod – Cod makes the cut on our keto list because it’s low in carbohydrates – just 2% of your recommended daily value. Mackerel – Its oily, dark flesh makes it a keto diet necessity because of its high fat content. Tuna – Think beyond the can and try wild fresh tuna in your favorite keto fish recipes.