Shrimps are among the most delicious seafood that is rich in nutrients. Above all, shrimp are rich in protein and selenium, which may be important for our general health. In addition to the many benefits, excessive consumption can cause potential risks. So, how often can you eat shrimp?
Read on to discover the benefits shrimps offer and the potential risks you should be aware of. In addition, you will find out how often you can safely eat shrimp without worrying about side effects.
How Often Can You Eat Shrimp?
So, how many shrimp do you need to meet your daily needs? In general, you can eat shrimp every day as long as you eat them in moderation. The optimal amount is 3-4 ounces per person, which is equivalent to about seven medium-sized shrimp.
However, most doctors recommend consuming seafood twice a week, which is enough to get the desired benefits. In addition, there is a certain group of people who should be careful because of the possible side effects of consuming a large amount of shrimp.
How often can you eat shrimp in a week as an adult?
If you're an adult, the Food and Drugs Administration recommends 2-3 servings of seafood such as shrimp per week. Paying attention to the shrimp's preparation and origin is highly important.
If you want high-quality shrimp that will satisfy your appetite, we recommend Jumbo Mexican Blue Shrimp. You can easily cook and eat these shrimp from KnowSeafood without taking any extra steps. You’ll enjoy their unique taste and texture.
How many shrimp are children allowed to eat?
Shrimps are safe to be consumed by children as long as they do not have an allergic reaction. According to the Food and Drugs Administration, this seafood belongs to the group of the “Best Choices”. In the following, we will present you with the recommended amount of shrimp per week for a certain age group.
|
Age |
Portion size |
|
1-3 years |
1 ounce or 3 medium-sized shrimps |
|
4-7 years |
2 ounces or 6 medium-sized shrimps |
|
8-10 years |
3 ounces |
|
11 and over |
4 ounces |
How often can you eat shrimp while pregnant?
Although many pregnant women avoid seafood because of the presence of mercury, the truth is that certain seafood, like shrimp, can be beneficial for them and their baby. Basically, seafood is rich in nutrients that may help the growth and development of the baby.
However, when thinking about seafood, one should also be aware of the amount of mercury found in such food. According to the Food and Drug Administration, shrimp is a seafood that contains a small amount of mercury and is safe for consumption during pregnancy.
In addition, you should pay attention to the amount that is ingested on a weekly basis. For pregnant women, two to three servings of seafood per week, or 8-12 ounces, are recommended.
Nutritional Properties of Shrimp
Many associate shrimp with a high source of protein, but there is much more to this seafood. In addition to protein, shrimp are rich in minerals and vitamins. According to the USDA, 100 grams of shrimp contain the following nutrients:
- Calories - 85 kcal
- Fats - 0.51 grams
- Protein - 20.1 grams
- Cholesterol - 161 milligrams
- Carbohydrate - 0 grams
Vitamins and minerals:
- Magnesium - 35 milligrams
- Calcium - 64 milligrams
- Potassium - 264 milligrams
- Phosphorus - 214 milligrams
- Zinc - 1.34 milligrams
- Sodium - 119 milligrams
In addition to the above-mentioned nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, shrimp are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower blood pressure and support heart health. On the other hand, iodine may help with the proper function of the thyroid gland.
Health Benefits of Shrimp
Due to the rich composition of nutrients, shrimp may bring more benefits to your health. Below are some of the benefits of eating shrimp:
Antioxidative action
Regarding the antioxidant effect shrimp provide, it is worth mentioning astaxanthin, an antioxidant found in their composition. Namely, this antioxidant is a component of the algae that shrimp feed on and plays a major role in general health. First, astaxanthin may prevent inflammation by preventing free radicals, and its positive properties have also been observed in chronic inflammation.
Brain and heart health
One of the main benefits of shrimp when taken in moderation is its positive role in heart and brain health. Namely, astaxanthin plays a major role here, which may help strengthen the arteries and thereby reduce the occurrence of heart attacks. Moreover, this powerful antioxidant may help increase high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) levels and thus contribute to heart health.
In addition to heart health, shrimp may contribute to brain health. Being rich in omega-3, shrimp can contribute to the normal development of the brain and eyes of the fetus.
Bone health
Shrimp contains several nutrients that may play a role in improving bone strength. Nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, and protein may help with bone quality and prevent bone fractures. Due to this property, shrimp might be effective in elderly people because they are more susceptible to bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Weight reduction
If you want to get rid of excess weight, you surely know that it is very important to eat food that is rich in protein and has low calories. Thus, shrimps are a perfect choice as they are a rich source of protein. Eating foods rich in protein makes you feel full, which may allow you to lose weight naturally.
Healthy pregnancy
As we mentioned above, shrimps are safe seafood that may be a perfect choice during pregnancy. So, shrimps contain many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals such as B12, iron, calcium, zinc, proteins, and choline. These nutrients may help in the proper development of the fetus and help with overall health.
Side Effects of Shrimp
Besides the numerous benefits shrimp offers, it is good to know their potential risks. Generally speaking, most side effects occur if you do not pay attention to shrimp origin and its daily and weekly intake. Therefore, in the following, we will indicate the most common side effects that you should keep in mind:
Allergic reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions characterized by itching, difficulty breathing, and hives.
Cholesterol: Since shrimp contain cholesterol, increased intake may increase the risk of heart disease.
Mercury: Although shrimps belong to the group of seafood products that contain a low amount of mercury, health problems can still occur if the amount is not taken care of. Excessive shrimp intake can affect health, especially in children and pregnant women.
Sodium: Some types of shrimp can contain a large amount of sodium, so their excessive intake can lead to high blood pressure.
Conclusion
So, how often can you eat shrimp? After seeing all the details about this popular seafood, we conclude that it is an excellent source of nutrients and vitamins. Therefore, consuming shrimp in the amounts we indicated above will allow you to enjoy it without worrying about side effects.
If you want to get all the benefits shrimps offer, we provide you with a rich offer of seafood that will satisfy your taste buds. You can also choose some of our box sets according to your taste and request.
