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.
Summer is around the corner, and beach season will soon be here. For many that means one thing – it’s time to start working on getting defined abs! While strength training is critical nutrition also plays a huge role in revealing your six pack. So an important question is, is shrimp a good choice for getting abs? Let’s dive in and find out.
An Overview of Shrimp’s Nutrition Profile
Shrimp packs a nutritional punch, making it a great option if you’re trying to lose weight and get shredded. Here’s a quick look at the nutrition facts for shrimp (per 100g):
- Calories: 84
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 0.3g
- Carbs: 0g
Right off the bat, you can see shrimp is very low in calories and fat. With zero carbs, it provides a nice protein punch without any unwanted extras.
Some other beneficial nutrients found in shrimp include
- Selenium – supports thyroid and immune function
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc
- Copper
- Iodine
Shrimp also contains anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA.
Overall, shrimp offers stellar nutrition to support fat loss and lean muscle growth.
How Can Shrimp Help You Get Defined Abs
Here are 5 ways shrimp can assist you on your journey to a 6-pack:
1. Low in Calories
With just 84 calories per 100g serving, shrimp is one of the lowest calorie protein options out there. This makes it easy to create low-cal, high-protein meals perfect for losing fat.
The low caloric density also means you can eat a larger portion size without going overboard on calories. This helps keep you feeling full while eating in a deficit.
2. High in Protein
Protein is the most important macronutrient when trying to get lean and maintain muscle.
Shrimp provides a whopping 20g of protein per 100g serving – giving you plenty of protein to preserve or build muscle while cutting calories.
Protein also requires the most energy to digest compared to carbs and fat. Getting enough boosts your metabolic rate.
3. Supports Fat Loss
To reveal your abs, you need to reduce overall body fat through a consistent calorie deficit.
Shrimp makes it easy to create reduced calorie meals that keep you feeling satisfied. This helps you stick to the deficit required for fat loss.
The high protein content also prevents muscle loss when eating in a deficit – key for losing pure fat.
4. Contains Omega-3s
While not a huge amount, shrimp do provide anti-inflammatory omega-3s EPA and DHA.
Chronic inflammation can hinder fat loss. It also contributes to gut issues that can make it harder to get lean.
Shrimp’s omega-3 content helps fight inflammation, optimizing the internal environment for fat loss.
5. Rich in Selenium
Shrimp is high in selenium, an antioxidant mineral.
Some research shows selenium deficiency can negatively impact metabolism and thyroid function – both vital for fat loss.
Getting enough selenium ensures your metabolism and thyroid are humming along to support fat burning efforts.
Sample Meal Plans with Shrimp
Now let’s look at how to incorporate shrimp into high protein, low calorie meals:
Citrus Shrimp Salad:
- 5oz grilled shrimp
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup orange segments
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 oz goat cheese
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
Cajun Shrimp and Rice:
- 6oz blackened shrimp
- 1 cup cauliflower rice
- 1 cup roasted broccoli
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
Coconut Shrimp Curry:
- 6oz shrimp
- 1 cup green beans
- 1/2 cup light coconut milk
- 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry:
- 5oz shrimp
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
Supplementing with Whey Protein
While whole foods should be the priority, adding whey protein can further increase your protein intake to accelerate fat loss.
Whey is quickly digested, making it great for breakfast or post-workout. It also contains leucine to stimulate muscle growth.
Aim for 20-30g of whey protein one to two times daily to complement food sources like shrimp.
Wild vs. Farm-Raised Shrimp
With seafood, sustainability and farming practices are always a consideration.
Wild shrimp is preferable for nutrition and eco-friendliness. However, wild populations are often overfished.
Farm-raised shrimp makes up the majority of the market. When sourced responsibly, it can be a safe alternative.
Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch helps identify the most sustainable shrimp options.
The Bottom Line on Shrimp for Abs
Thanks to its stellar nutrition stats, shrimp can be a key component of your abs diet.
It’s low-cal, high in protein, low in fat, and free of carbs – perfect for crafting fat burning meals.
Aim for 4-6 oz, 2-3 times per week as the protein base for reduced calorie meals packed with veggies and healthy fats.
While diet is crucial, don’t forget the importance of strength training and cardio.
With strategic shrimp dishes as part of a comprehensive fitness plan, you’ll be beach ready in no time!
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.
 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.
8 Incredible Benefits of Shrimp | Health And Nutrition
FAQ
Is shrimp good for belly fat?
Is shrimp good for muscle building?
Is seafood good for abs?
Is shrimp good for getting lean?
Is shrimp a good nutrient?
Here are some of shrimp’s standout nutrients: Protein: Shrimp is an excellent source of protein, a vital macronutrient that’s needed for building enzymes, hormones, and vitamins in the body. Protein is also necessary for maintaining muscles and bones, and supporting a healthy immune system.
Is shrimp a good source of protein?
Protein is also necessary for maintaining muscles and bones, and supporting a healthy immune system. Selenium: Shrimp contains the mineral selenium, which plays an essential role in making thyroid hormone and DNA.
Are shrimp and prawns healthy?
Shrimp and prawns are popular seafood options. From being a source of lean protein to omega-3s, here are the top shrimp health benefits.
What can I eat if I have a low ABS?
For defined abs, focus on lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich foods. Here are some suitable alternatives: Replace Greek yogurt with plain skyr for a higher protein, creamy alternative. Instead of quinoa, try bulgur for a whole grain that is high in fiber and protein.