If you’re here, then you probably Google’d: vitamins of shrimp.
Shrimp Is Low In Calories Yet Rich In Nutrients
Although this helps increase access to shrimp, most imported shrimp is farm-raised, which means it is grown in industrial tanks that are submerged in bodies of water (23). However, the US does not permit the use of antibiotics in shrimp and other shellfish (23, 24). For this reason, it is illegal to import shrimp that contains antibiotics.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for inspecting imported shrimp to ensure it doesn’t contain antibiotics (24). Because of this, farm-raised shrimp contaminated with antibiotics has the potential to enter the US food supply One study that investigated the antibiotic content of US-purchased seafood found that a sample of farm-raised shrimp contained a detectable amount of sulfadimethoxine, an antibiotic not permitted for use in shrimp in the US However, it may lead to antibiotic resistance, which can cause outbreaks of disease that do not respond to antibiotic treatment To reduce your antibiotic exposure, it is best to purchase wild or farmed shrimp from the US or other countries where antibiotic use is illega.
Nutrients Per Serving
Ranging in size from small to jumbo, shrimp are typically 1 to 3 inches long.
Around 90% of the shrimp you eat come from a farm. Fishermen catch wild shrimp in coastal waters.
Nutritional Value Of Shrimp
As mentioned above, the main source of food in shrimp is the meaty tail, but some cultures and various cuisines choose to eat other parts of the shrimp as well.
For people who are looking to eliminate excess carbohydrates from their diet, shrimp is a popular option because it contains zero carbs, and is also very low in calories (approximately 1 calorie/1 gram of shrimp). As an organic life form, shrimp is packed with protein and is composed primarily of water, but there is also a small amount of fat as well. However, the most beneficial aspect of shrimp is the treasure trove of vitamins and nutrients that it contains.
You can fill out your daily mineral intake of iron, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. It also provides essential fatty acids but is also high in cholesterol levels.
Concerns
There are also a small number of potential drawbacks from shrimp consumption.
1) Shrimp (Shellfish) Allergy
Shellfish allergy is one of the most common allergies in the world. Key Point: Shellfish proteins, found in shrimp, are a common allergen which can cause serious adverse reactions. For instance, Vietnamese shrimp farming is particularly well-documented for using an excessive amount of antibiotics, some of which are illegal (35).
However, this asks the question of how many contaminated imports actually do pass into the country. With this in mind, it may be better to focus on domestic shrimp rather than imported products. For peace of mind regarding potential antibiotics and contaminants, wild-caught shrimp are a good choice.
Key Point: Imported farmed shrimp from Asia are noted for having issues with banned antibiotics. Overall, this small shellfish is a great way to increase our intake of omega-3 and protein. For more on shellfish, see this guide to oysters.
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