Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been getting tons of questions about shrimp calories lately, and lemme tell you – I’m super excited to share what I’ve learned after hours of research and personal experience with this amazing seafood. Let’s dive right in!
The Quick Answer You’re Looking For
One large shrimp contains just 9 calories! Yep, you read that right – a measly 9 calories per piece. That’s basically nothing!
Why Shrimp Is A Dieter’s Dream Come True
I gotta tell you why shrimp is literally becoming my go-to protein source these days. Here’s what makes it so special:
- Protein Powerhouse: Each large shrimp packs 1.66g of protein (that’s 81% of its total calories!)
- Super Low Fat: Only 0.14g of fat per piece
- Virtually No Carbs: Just 0.07g of carbs per shrimp
- Cholesterol Content: 12mg (4% of daily value)
- Sodium Smart: Contains 37mg (2% of daily value)
Nutritional Breakdown Per Large Shrimp
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 9 |
| Protein | 1.66g |
| Total Fat | 0.14g |
| Carbs | 0.07g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 0g |
Different Serving Sizes and Their Calories
Sometimes you might eat more than one shrimp (who doesn’t?), so here’s a handy guide:
- Small shrimp (shelled): 6 calories
- Medium shrimp (shelled): 7 calories
- Large shrimp (shelled): 9 calories
- 1 oz cooked: 40 calories
- 1 cup cooked: 209 calories
- 100g: 144 calories
The Hidden Benefits You Didn’t Know About
Besides being low in calories, shrimp’s got some pretty awesome micronutrients too:
- Calcium: 4mg
- Iron: 0.18mg
- Potassium: 11mg
- Vitamin A: 4mcg
- Vitamin C: 0.1mg
Ways to Keep Your Shrimp Low-Cal
Look, I’ve made ALL the mistakes when it comes to cooking shrimp Here’s what I’ve learned about keeping it healthy
- Steaming or Boiling: The absolute best way to keep calories low
- Grilling: Adds flavor without extra calories
- Baking: Just use minimal oil
- AVOID: Deep frying or heavy butter sauces (trust me, I learned this the hard way!)
Common Mistakes That Add Calories
Ya’ll. don’t mess up like I did! Here are some things to watch out for
- Adding too much butter or oil
- Using heavy breading
- Drowning them in high-cal sauces
- Overcoking (makes them rubbery and tempts you to add more sauce)
How to Include Shrimp in Your Diet
I’ve been experimenting with shrimp for months now, and here are my fave low-cal ways to enjoy them:
- Shrimp cocktail (classic and simple!)
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Shrimp and veggie stir-fry
- Cold shrimp salad
- Garlic lemon shrimp (go easy on the butter!)
The Bottom Line
If you’re counting calories but still want delicious, filling meals shrimp is honestly your best friend. At just 9 calories per large piece you can enjoy a satisfying portion without breaking your calorie bank. Plus, with that amazing protein content, it’ll keep you feeling full longer!
FAQ About Shrimp Calories
Q: Does the cooking method change the calorie content?
A: The base calories stay the same, but what you cook it in (oil, butter, etc.) adds extra calories.
Q: Are frozen shrimp just as healthy?
A: Yep! Frozen shrimp have the same nutritional value as fresh ones.
Q: How many shrimp should I eat for a meal?
A: A typical serving is about 3-4 ounces (roughly 8-10 large shrimp).
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Buy them frozen – they’re usually fresher than “fresh” ones at the counter
- Thaw in the fridge overnight, not under running water
- Don’t overcook! They should form a “C” shape, not an “O”
- Season before cooking for the best flavor without extra calories
Remember, while shrimp is super low in calories, it’s still important to watch your portions and cooking methods. But honestly? With just 9 calories per large shrimp, you’ve got plenty of room to play with in your daily calorie budget!
Now go forth and enjoy your shrimp without the guilt! And hey, if you’ve got any amazing low-cal shrimp recipes, drop ’em in the comments below – I’m always looking for new ideas!
Symptoms of shellfish allergy
Symptoms of shrimp allergies vary and may include:
- tingling in the throat
- digestive issues
- breathing difficulties
- skin reactions
Some people with shrimp allergies may have anaphylactic reactions, as well. This is a dangerous, sudden reaction that can lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and even death if it is not treated immediately.
If you’re allergic to shrimp, the only way to prevent allergic reaction is to completely avoid eating it.
In some instances, even the vapors from cooking shrimp can trigger a reaction. So, those with shrimp allergies must also avoid situations where they may be exposed to it indirectly.
It’s important to choose high quality, fresh shrimp that isn’t damaged, infected, or contaminated.
When purchasing raw shrimp, make sure they’re firm. The shells should be translucent and grayish-green, pinkish tan, or light pink in color. Blackened edges or black spots on the shells may indicate quality loss.
Additionally, raw and cooked shrimp should have a mild, “ocean-like” or salty smell. Shrimp with an overwhelming “fishy” or ammonia-like odor is likely spoiled and unsafe to consume.
You should purchase shrimp from a knowledgeable and reputable supplier who can answer your questions about the shrimp’s country of origin and handling practices.
Heart and brain health
Many studies have found astaxanthin may help strengthen arteries, which may reduce the risk of heart attacks. It may also help increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, an important factor in heart health.
In addition, a 2017 review of studies suggests that astaxanthin may be beneficial for brain health. Its anti-inflammatory properties may prevent damage to your brain cells that often leads to memory loss and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
Despite these findings, more human research is needed to determine the overall role that the astaxanthin in shrimp may have on overall health.
Due to the high demand for shrimp in the United Sates, it’s often imported from other countries.
Although this helps increase access to shrimp, most imported shrimp is farm-raised, which means it’s grown in industrial tanks that are submerged in bodies of water.
Farm-raised seafood from other countries is frequently treated with antibiotics due to its high susceptibility to disease. However, the United States does not permit the use of antibiotics in shrimp and other shellfish.
For this reason, it’s illegal to import shrimp that contains antibiotics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for inspecting imported shrimp to ensure it doesn’t contain antibiotics.
However, due to the high volume of shrimp imports, the FDA is unable to regulate all of them. Because of this, farm-raised shrimp contaminated with antibiotics has the potential to enter the U.S. food supply.
Using antibiotics in shrimp has not been confirmed to have any major adverse health effects. However, it may lead to antibiotic resistance, which can cause outbreaks of diseases that do not respond to antibiotic treatment.
If you’re concerned about antibiotics in shrimp, it’s best to opt for wild-caught shrimp, which is never treated with antibiotics. Additionally, you can be assured that shrimp caught and prepared in the United States does not contain antibiotics.
Shellfish, including shrimp, are classified as one of the top nine food allergies in the United States, along with fish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, milk, and soy.
The most common trigger of shrimp allergies is tropomyosin, a protein found in shellfish. Other proteins in shrimp that may trigger an allergic reaction include arginine kinase and hemocyanin.