Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been getting tons of questions about shrimp calories lately, and today I’m gonna break it all down for you. As someone who’s absolutely obsessed with seafood (and watching my waistline), I’ve done some serious research on this topic.
Quick Answer
One medium shrimp contains just 6 calories! Yep, you read that right – it’s practically guilt-free eating.
The Complete Nutritional Breakdown of a Single Medium Shrimp
Let me share what I found in my deep dive into shrimp nutrition:
Macronutrients
- Protein: 1.22g (this is the star of the show!)
- Fat: 0.1g (barely anything)
- Carbs: 0.05g (practically zero)
Calorie Distribution
- Protein: 81% of calories
- Fat: 16% of calories
- Carbs: 3% of calories
Micronutrients (per medium shrimp)
- Cholesterol: 9mg
- Sodium: 9mg
- Potassium: 11mg
- Iron: 0.14mg
- Calcium: 3mg
- Vitamin C: 0.1mg
- Vitamin A: 3mcg
- Vitamin D: 0mcg
Different Shrimp Sizes and Their Calories
We’ve put together this super handy table for ya
| Shrimp Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small | 5 |
| Medium | 6 |
| Large (4) | 30 |
| 3 oz | 90 |
| 100g | 106 |
| 1 lb | 481 |
Why Shrimp is a Dieter’s Best Friend
Listen up y’all! Here’s why I’m totally in love with shrimp for weight management
-
Super Low-Cal: At just 6 calories per medium shrimp, you can eat quite a few without breaking your calorie bank!
-
Protein Powerhouse: With 81% of its calories coming from protein, it’s perfect for:
- Building muscle
- Keeping you full longer
- Supporting weight loss goals
-
Almost No Carbs: With just 0.05g carbs per shrimp, it’s:
- Keto-friendly
- Perfect for low-carb diets
- Great for blood sugar control
Common Ways to Enjoy Shrimp (and Their Calorie Impact)
Now, here’s where things can get tricky. Different cooking methods can change the calorie count:
- Steamed/Boiled: Keeps the original 6 calories (my fave!)
- Baked/Broiled: Slightly higher, but still healthy
- Scampi Style: Watch out for added butter calories
- Fried/Battered: Significantly higher in calories
Pro Tips for Keeping Shrimp Healthy
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of cooking these little guys:
-
Skip the butter sauce and try:
- Lemon juice
- Fresh herbs
- Garlic and olive oil (just a touch!)
-
Choose cooking methods wisely:
- Steam
- Grill
- Bake
- Air fry (my new obsession!)
Real Talk: Common Questions I Get About Shrimp
“Is shrimp healthy despite the cholesterol?”
While one medium shrimp contains 9mg of cholesterol, research shows dietary cholesterol isn’t as big a concern as we once thought. Plus, the protein and nutrients make it a healthy choice!
“How many shrimp can I eat on a diet?”
With just 6 calories each, you can enjoy quite a few! A typical serving (about 3 oz or roughly 12-15 medium shrimp) is only around 90 calories.
The Bottom Line
Y’all, I gotta tell ya – shrimp is pretty much a dieter’s dream come true! With just 6 tiny calories per medium shrimp and packed with protein, it’s hard to go wrong. Just remember to watch those cooking methods, and you’re golden!
I’ve been incorporating shrimp into my meal prep for years now, and it’s been a game-changer for maintaining a healthy diet without feeling deprived. Whether you’re counting calories, following a specific diet plan, or just trying to eat healthier, shrimp is definitely your friend!
Before I wrap this up, remember that while the calorie content is super low, it’s still important to pay attention to how you prepare them. Nobody’s saying you can’t enjoy that occasional shrimp scampi, but for regular meals, simpler preparations will help you keep those calories in check.
What’s your favorite way to prepare shrimp? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your healthy shrimp recipes!
#HealthyEating #Seafood #NutritionFacts #WeightLossJourney #HealthyLifestyle
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.
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.