Prawns or Shrimp – Healthiest food in the world

Prawns or Shrimp - CookingRevived

Prawns or Shrimp – Healthiest food in the world

Prawns or shrimp – are they both the same? This is one doubt that many of us have, yes, including me. To be precise, prawns and shrimp, though they hail from the same family, both have its own characteristics. Whatsoever, it is a fact that both taste somewhat the same. Hence it is no wonder, why all are confused.

Anatomically, prawns and shrimp have different characteristics, though they are called the same and taste the same.

Nutritional facts about prawns

The nutritional profile of both shrimp and prawns are similar. Though, it is considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world, one needs to be careful when eating them. The main reason for considering it as a healthy food is that it is overloaded with antioxidants, proteins and also has some important vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and has no carbohydrates. What more, it is rich in Vitamin B12, D and Niacin along with minerals like iron, copper, phosphorous and selenium, and not to forget the high amount of iodine.

Some benefits of eating shrimp/prawns

  • Helps in weight loss
  • Good for your eyes
  • Helps increase bone strength
  • Helps improve the functions of your brain
  • Helps to ward off cancer
  • Provides protection for your skin

Clean them properly

One thing you need to be extra careful is to clean the prawns or shrimp well before cooking them. You need to remove its shell and then devein it. Then you need to rinse it thoroughly in water. Make sure you remove its intestinal tract completely. If this is not removed it may lead to food poisoning in some. Once cleaned properly, you make cook it as you like.

There are a variety of dishes that you can make with prawns, from salads to whole meal dishes. The choice is yours.

Must include food in a Woman’s diet

Shrimp/prawns are one food that needs special mention when we discuss about the food that women should include in their diet. It contains an antioxidant called Astaxanthin which benefits our body. It helps to reduced joint pains and moodiness in women especially during menopause. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids also helps to ease the symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome.

A Common Allergen

However, one thing to be careful is that it is a very common allergen. Many people are allergic to shell fish and prawns/shrimp are a part of the shell fish family. If you have shellfish allergy, stay away from this. Symptoms of allergy caused by this shellfish include skin rashes or itching, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting etc.

You have to stay away from this food if you have asthma related sickness, cough, cold or other respiratory infections. The reason for this, according to the studies, is the presence of the protein called Tropomyosin.

Is it for the health conscious?

Even though shrimp and prawns are considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world, many doubt this fact. Little did I know that prawns have very low calories in it? Surprised?! Yes, that is a fact. This food has very less calories in it. 100 grams of prawns or shrimp contain only 115 calories in it and has 25 grams of proteins.

But you need to be careful, because it has more cholesterol in it, and unfortunately, it is not good cholesterol. It is perfectly fine for a healthy person with no metabolic errors to have shrimp. But if you have high triglycerides or high cholesterol, it is advised to limit the intake of this food. It is better to take expert advice on this matter.

However, some researchers claim that the high cholesterol in this food does not have any adverse affect on your health or body. Now, this is a topic to debate!

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