Throw Another Shrimp on the Barbie!

Shrimp may be small in size but make no mistake; they are big in nutrient density!

An extremely versatile food, shrimp is widely available year round, fresh or frozen, which makes it a cook book favorite and arguably the most popular seafood in the United States.  It is also one form of fighting Alzheimer’s disease with omega-3s.

If you’re looking for a low-fat, low-calorie, high-protein food, look no further. According to Nutritiondata.com, a 3oz serving of shrimp supplies 18g of protein and only 85 calories, which makes it an excellent food for people trying to manage their weight. Shrimp is also a great source of vitamin D, vitamin B12 and selenium, a nutrient that plays an important part of antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against the effects of free radicals.

We’ve all heard that we need to increase the amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in our diet, and shrimp and seafood are a great source. The body cannot produce omega-3 by itself and so it’s vital that we get enough from our diet. Omega-3 helps keep the brain healthy and may prevent coronary heart disease by helping to keep the cardiovascular system healthy. In fact, the Harvard School of Public Health recommends eating fish once or twice a week to reduce the risk of stroke, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic conditions.

Despite these amazing health benefits, shrimp has a reputation for being a high cholesterol food. But a 1996 study done at Rockefeller University Hospital put concerns to rest showing that the cholesterol content of shrimp was no longer a worry. A shrimp diet actually raises levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol, and decreases levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.

Similarly, if you are worried about mercury levels, don’t be. The FDA describes shrimp as being characteristically low in mercury, making it a far healthier choice to species such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish that are notoriously higher in mercury, so eat up!

Fire Grilled Shrimp Skewers

• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp of paprika
• 2 garlic cloves crushed
• 1-2 tsp of Tabasco
• 1 tbsp of lime juice
• Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• 2 lbs of large raw shrimp peeled

Combine oil, garlic, spices, tabasco, and lime juice in a bowl. Coat shrimp in mixture and allow to marinate for 2-3 hours before grilling. Thread shrimp on to skewers and grill 2 minutes each side or until pink.