Surprising Shellfish | GEARED2bewell — Dr. Laura Korman (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest shellfish to eat? ›

Regularly eating shellfish — especially oysters, clams, mussels, lobster, and crab — may improve your zinc status and overall immune function. Shellfish are loaded with protein and healthy fats that may aid weight loss.

Glycogen makes up 20–40% of the oyster's dry weight, and as the main flavor component the glycogen content is critical to oyster quality. The glycogen content is not only related to the flavor and the quality of the oyster, but is also related to its hardiness.

Fish flesh contains virtually no carbohydrate. Not so for shellfish. A number of shellfish contain a significant percentage of calories (10 – 25%) as carbohydrate, including oysters, mussels, abalone, whelk, clams, octopus and scallops.

Herein lies the beauty of shellfish: they are food and therefore recognised as one by the body and contain generous levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. Having a small bowl of mussels, oysters or crab is a good way to obtain bountiful amounts of Omega 3s whilst also benefitting from muscle building protein.

The toxins include okadaic acid and its derivatives, dinophysistoxins, pectenotoxins, and yessotoxins.

According to a study in the UK, eating fish regularly helps protect patients against type 2 diabetes, but shrimp, crab or snail can have the opposite effect. The recorded data show that the risk of type 2 diabetes in people with a preference for these shellfish increases by about 36%.

There are several types of toxins in contaminated shellfish that can cause illness. Toxins may be in found in mussels, oysters, clams, scallops, cockles, abalone, whelks, moon snails, Dungeness crab, shrimp, and lobster.

Fish and other seafood tend to provide incredibly nutritious and healthy benefits. They're particularly high in B12, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids — all nutrients many people do not get enough. Like meat, almost all types of fish and seafood contain next to no carbs.

What seafood is not fattening? ›

Best: Lean Fish

Lean seafood has fewer calories than the fatty kind -- and lots of protein. For example, low-fat fish like tilapia, cod, flounder, and sole have fewer than 120 calories in a 3-ounce serving and give you plenty of protein.

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness. It's not clear what kind of possible long-term health risks a low-carb diet may pose.

Another reason why some people may choose to opt away from adding crustaceans to their diet is the cholesterol content. They are on the high side. Four ounces of shrimp contain 220 milligrams of cholesterol, 4 ounces of crab contain 60 mg, and one lobster tail contains 120 mg.

Although shrimp is relatively high in cholesterol, it can still be a part of a heart-healthy diet. This is because it contains a high amount of 'good' cholesterol. Scallops are low in cholesterol and therefore do not pose a risk of raising your cholesterol levels. They are also low in saturated fats.

If you are wondering which seafood choices are highest in Omega 3's, look no further than Salmon, Fresh Tuna, Trout, Mackerel, Herring, Oysters, Sea Bass, and Sardines, which all have greater than 500 mg per serving. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are not the only benefit to seafood consumption.

Smaller fish—sardines, anchovies, farmed trout, fresh tilapia, arctic char—and bivalves such as scallops, clams, and oysters don't build up as many contaminants as do the large carnivores. Small fish also reproduce quickly, so their populations can recover from overfishing much more easily than the long-lived giants.

Both crab and lobster meats are rich in protein. Thus, making them excellent choices for those looking to boost their protein intake. However, crab meat tends to be slightly lower in calories and fat. Making it a smart choice for those aiming for a leaner option.