Neil Zevnik: Before You Throw That Shrimp on the Barbie, a Few Words of Caution
I approach this subject with some slight trepidation… My last seafood post, extolling the virtues of wild-caught salmon, engendered some heated discussion — not to mention my being mildly vilified on some obscure Alaskan Seafood blog.
Nevertheless, I embarked upon this article determined, and delighted, to rehabilitate the reputation of this popular crustacean, after years of its being much-maligned for its cholesterol content. The good news is, I can absolutely assure you that the shrimp’s negative health image, especially with regards to cholesterol, is patently undeserved; the bad news is, there are so many nerve-wracking environmental and societal issues surrounding the procurement of said shrimp that I must temper my praise with any number of hesitations and provisos and cautions.
Always Start With the Good News.
Shrimp is the single most popular seafood in the United States — the average American consumes over 4 ½ pounds a year. And yes, the cholesterol count is high (about 200 milligrams in 3 ½ ounces), but that is a deceptive figure. Since the fat content of shrimp is so low (barely 1 gram per serving, as opposed to around 20 grams for an equal amount of beef), and saturated fat increases the absorption of cholesterol in the body, the cholesterol in shrimp is not fully absorbed. Studies have shown that shrimp actually improves the ratio of “good” cholesterol to “bad” cholesterol; and the high levels of unsaturated fatty acids may even contribute to lowered cholesterol levels.
And there are numerous other nutritional benefits on offer from this tiny ocean-going critter. It is an excellent source of low-fat, low calorie protein; it provides a whopping dose of Vitamins B-12 and D, a generous amount of omega-3 fatty acids, and a serious helping of the trace mineral selenium. Both the B-12 and omega-3’s contribute to cardio-health on several levels, and the omega-3’s are known to combat depression and provide protection against age-related cognitive decline. The selenium, on its own and in combination with the omega-3’s, has been shown to inhibit the formation of cancer cells.
So I am happy to tell you that, on the basis of health benefits alone, I can heartily recommend that you include shrimp in your diet on a regular basis.
Now the Bad News.
Alas, I must draw your attention to some disturbing facts in the larger scheme of things. That #1 position on the dinner plates of America comes at a high price for the environment and certain cultures. Let me say right off the bat that I will espouse the conviction here that, as with other seafoods, wild-caught …
Read the original article at Huffington Post
