If youre a fan of shrimp, youve got plenty of company. The small crustacean has a long body and is typically collected for food. The average American eats about 4 pounds of the stuff every year. Thats more than any other seafood.
Ranging in size from small to jumbo, shrimp are typically 1 to 3 inches long. The crustaceans come from warm and cold waters around the world. The pink cold-water ones come cooked and peeled. Warm-water shrimp, in white, brown, or pink, are available cooked or raw.
Around 90% of the shrimp you eat come from a farm. Theyre raised in ponds on a controlled diet.
Fishermen catch wild shrimp in coastal waters. These shrimp make up about 10% of what we eat in the U. S.
Shrimp are packed with nutrients and low in calories, making them a great protein source. Photo credit: iStock/Getty s.
The term “shrimp” includes many species of similar-looking shellfish. Cold-water shrimp are small and harvested in the oceans in the northwest and northeast regions of the U. S. and Canada. Â.
Warm-water shrimp are harvested in tropical areas and are usually farmed. More than 90% of the shrimp consumed in the U. S. are from farms. Â Most of the seafood eaten in the U. S. is imported from other countries, such as China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Shrimp are mostly made up of protein and water. On average, 100 grams of cooked shrimp has:
In order to lose weight, shrimp are a great choice because they are low in carbs and calories and high in nutrients.
But be careful how you cook it. Shrimp that is cooked in a deep fryer or mixed with a creamy sauce tips the scales in the wrong direction.
The antioxidants in shrimp are good for your health. These substances can protect your cells against damage. Studies suggest that the antioxidant astaxanthin helps prevent wrinkles and lessens sun damage.
Shrimp also has plenty of selenium. Some research shows that this mineral may help stop some types of cancer, but not enough research has been done to say for sure.
The FDA says pregnant women and young children should avoid raw seafood. Their weaker immune systems put them more at risk for foodborne illnesses.
Vibriosis. Vibrio (or Vibrio vulnificus) is a marine bacteria found in sea creatures. It makes humans sick with an illness called vibriosis. You can get infected with this germ by eating raw or uncooked seafood. But you can also get an infection if you touch raw or undercooked seafood or its juices on a wound. Â.
If you have a mild case of vibriosis, you should feel better in three days. But 20% of people with vibrio infections die, sometimes within a few days of getting sick.
Researchers tested shrimp they bought at a fish market and found that 75% of them had vibrio bacteria. And 100 strains of vibrio â many resistant to antibiotics â have been found in farmed shrimp.
Cholera is an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea. You can get it by drinking water or eating food thatâs contaminated with cholera bacteria. Itâs also occasionally spread when raw or undercooked shellfish are eaten. Â.
The Vibrio cholerae bacteria that cause cholera attach themselves to the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish. Cholera is rare in the U. S. , but itâs a major infection in many parts of the world.
Researchers found Vibrio cholerae non-O1% in about 13 percent of the samples they tested in a study of a major shrimp-producing area in Thailand. This germ has been associated with cases of gastroenteritis , or âstomach flu. â.
Parasites. Shrimp, like all living creatures, can have parasites. Foods like sashimi, sushi, and ceviche that are eaten raw or with only a little heat may contain these germs that need a host to live. This is why restaurants use commercially frozen seafood to prepare sashimi and sushi.
After reading these FDA rules, you should know how to store cold seafood that is sold raw and for how long:
If you must eat raw shrimp, make sure you get it from markets and restaurants that have a good reputation for being clean and safe. For the most part, though, organizations concerned with food safety recommend that you cook your seafood. Most seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C). Â.
Raw seafood that has spoiled can have odors that are sour, rancid, or ammonia-like. Cooking makes these smells stronger. Donât eat raw or cooked seafood that has these odors. Â.
Diarrhea is never fun. The urgent trips to the bathroom, abdominal cramps, and watery stools can put a damper on your day. When diarrhea strikes, your first instinct may be to avoid all foods. But believe it or not, eating certain foods can actually help improve diarrhea symptoms. So can you eat shrimp when you have diarrhea?
The short answer is yes, you can eat shrimp in moderation when you have diarrhea. Shrimp contains protein, vitamins, and minerals that can help replace lost nutrients. However, you’ll want to avoid heavily spiced or fried shrimp since that may further upset your stomach. Instead, opt for boiled, grilled, or steamed shrimp.
Keep reading to learn more about why shrimp can be a good food choice when you have diarrhea, as well as how much shrimp you should eat and the best cooking methods.
Why Eat Shrimp With Diarrhea?
Shrimp contains important nutrients that can help replenish what’s lost during diarrhea episodes. Here are some of the key nutrients found in 3 ounces of shrimp:
- Protein: 18 grams
- Vitamin B12: over 100% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Selenium: Over 50% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: Over 30% of the RDI
- Zinc: Over 25% of the RDI
Protein helps maintain muscle mass when you have diarrhea and aren’t able to eat normally. The B vitamins help your body convert food into energy, while minerals like selenium, phosphorus, and zinc support immune function
Shrimp is also low in fiber, which makes it easier on the digestive system when you have diarrhea. High fiber foods can be difficult to digest and may worsen diarrhea in some cases.
Lastly, shrimp provides fluids and electrolytes like sodium and potassium that are lost through frequent trips to the bathroom Electrolyte drinks are commonly recommended when you have diarrhea to prevent dehydration
How Much Shrimp Should You Eat With Diarrhea?
When you’re dealing with diarrhea, it’s best to eat small, frequent meals rather than large portions. This puts less strain on your digestive system.
Aim to eat about 3 ounces of shrimp two to three times per day. Three ounces is about 5 medium sized shrimp. Spread out your shrimp intake throughout the day rather than eating it all at once.
Pay attention to how your body reacts after eating shrimp If it makes your diarrhea worse, avoid it until your symptoms improve. Then try reintroducing just 1-2 ounces at a time.
Best Ways to Prepare Shrimp With Diarrhea
The way you prepare shrimp can make a big difference in how well you tolerate it when you have diarrhea. Here are some preparation tips:
- Opt for boiled, grilled, or steamed shrimp instead of fried shrimp. Frying makes shrimp greasy and harder to digest.
- Avoid heavily spiced shrimp. Spices and seasonings may further irritate your stomach. Instead, use just a small amount of mild herbs like parsley, basil, or dill. A squeeze of lemon can also add flavor without spices.
- Peel shrimp before eating. The shells can be difficult to digest when you have diarrhea.
- Cook shrimp thoroughly until it’s opaque throughout. Be extra careful to cook seafood thoroughly when you have a weakened immune system from diarrhea.
Shrimp that’s prepared simply without a lot of added fat or seasoning will be gentlest on your stomach. Pay attention to how shrimp affects your diarrhea symptoms and adjust your intake accordingly.
Foods to Eat and Avoid With Diarrhea
While shrimp can be a good choice when you have diarrhea, there are many other foods that can help relieve symptoms. Stick to a bland, low fiber, low fat diet until diarrhea improves. Here are some foods that are usually well tolerated:
- Bland starches like white rice, white bread, crackers, noodles, oats
- Boiled or mashed potatoes
- Cooked carrots
- Skinless chicken or turkey
- Eggs
- Low-fat yogurt
- Soup and broth
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Toast
On the other hand, these foods tend to worsen diarrhea and should be avoided:
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Beans and legumes
- Milk and dairy products
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Fatty and fried foods
- Foods that cause gas like carbonated drinks
Stay hydrated by sipping on electrolyte drinks, broth, diluted juices, and gelatin. Seek medical treatment if your diarrhea is severe or accompanied by symptoms like bloody stool, fever, dizziness, or vomiting.
The Bottom Line
Shrimp can be a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals when you have diarrhea. Just be sure to keep your portions small and avoid heavily spiced or fried shrimp. Listen to your body and scale back on shrimp if it seems to worsen your symptoms. Coupling shrimp with other gentle, low fiber foods can help you get adequate nutrition until the diarrhea runs its course.
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 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.
Don’t eat shrimp that smells funny, especially if it smells like ammonia, which means bacteria are growing on it.
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. However, new research shows that it’s the saturated fat you eat, not the cholesterol in your food, that makes your cholesterol levels rise. Still, if youre wary of the stuff, moderation is key.
Shrimp and foodborne illness
As was already said, eating raw shrimp can make you sick, so it’s important to only get shrimp from reliable food sources. Â.
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 chefs say it’s fine to buy shrimp that has already been thawed if you plan to cook them right away. Just dont refreeze them. Some people say that thawed shrimp might have been frozen and thawed more than once, which changes the taste and texture.
If seafood is marked “fresh frozen,” it means it was frozen while it was still fresh, usually just a few hours after being caught. 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. First, pull off the legs, then 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. When they curl up almost like the letter “C” and the gray turns pink, you’ll know it’s ready.
The one thing that you are eating that could be causing diarrhea || Main Cause of Diarrhea
FAQ
Can I eat seafood during diarrhea?
Can you eat shrimp cocktail with diarrhea?
What foods should I avoid with diarrhea?
Can you eat a lot if you have acute diarrhea?
Most likely, you aren’t going to feel like eating much, especially if you have stomach cramping or pain. With acute diarrhea, the key is getting over whatever caused the problem in the first place, which usually means waiting things out. In this case, “food isn’t the solution,” says Katz. Once you are ready to try food, go easy.
Are diabetics allowed to eat shrimps?
Shrimp is appropriate for pre-diabetics and diabetics in most cases because of its minimal effect on blood sugar. Shrimp is a versatile, high protein, low carbohydrate food. It contains moderate amounts of vitamin B12, selenium, and is low in saturated fat. The concentration of cholesterol in shrimp may present an issue for some individuals with type 2 diabetes or those with already unhealthy lipid profiles. However, this is most likely only an issue if consumed in excess and in the context of an already unhealthy dietary pattern. Shrimp, when caught sustainably and consumed moderately are a healthy choice for humans and the environment. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest aiming for two 4-ounce servings of seafood per week and many health experts suggest up to 12 ounces per week. Look for shrimp certified by an independent agency such as Wild American Shrimp or the Marine Stewardship Council(MSC), which certifies that wild fisheries are well-managed and sustainable. Or look for the Best Aquaculture Practices label, which is for farmed shrimp.
Can you eat poop if you still have diarrhea?
If you still have diarrhea afterward, it’s okay to continue with them, but you may want to pause on adding anything more. When your poop is looking better, you can start eating more normally—but don’t go right to that takeout you’ve been craving. It’s probably best to err on the side of caution for a few days.
What happens if you don’t eat when you have diarrhea?
If you don’t eat when you have diarrhea, you might lose weight and become malnourished. Not eating can also cause low blood sugar levels and fainting, especially when paired with dehydration from diarrhea. The key to eating with diarrhea is to eat the right foods as your body recovers from whatever is causing your diarrhea.