If there is a food that is very popular in the world, it’s meat, and this is especially true for red meat. It has many benefits and is delicious to boot, so it’s not surprising why it’s so popular.
However, not all foods are considered to be red meat. One food people may wonder about is red meat is shrimp.
In this article, we will discuss if shrimp is red meat, the benefits and risks, and finally, how much you should eat.
By the end, you will know everything you need to know about shrimp.
Contents
Does Shrimp Count as Red Meat?
For meat to count as red meat, it must be a four-legged mammal and be red in its raw form. Shrimp is neither. It’s not a mammal, and it is not red in its raw form, which means that shrimp is not red meat.
Shrimp is seafood, so some may not consider it to be meat in the first place, while others do. Just tends to depend on whom you ask.
Either way, shrimp is very delicious despite it not being red meat. In the next section, we will cover the benefits as well as the risks of eating shrimp.
Benefits of Eating Shrimp
The great thing about shrimp is that it has a wide variety of benefits.
- Shrimp is very low in calories and is full of protein, iodine, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. All of these have a huge amount of health benefits for your body.
- In shrimp, you will find a decent amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The reason why this is good for your body is that it helps promote heart health. Who does not want to try to improve the health of your heart?
- Another thing you will find in shrimp is antioxidants. These can help protect against inflammation, which is always a plus.
- Finally, shrimp can be found to be healthy for your brain and heart. The reason for this is because of astaxanthin in the shrimp. However, more studies do need to be done, so keep that in mind when considering this benefit in particular.
Risks of Eating Shrimp
Despite the benefits, there are also risks! You can’t just ignore the risks, and by being aware of them, you can help protect yourself in the long run. Risks of eating shrimp include:
- One issue with shrimp is that it has a lot of cholesterol. The problem with cholesterol is that it can end up giving you high cholesterol in your body and, therefore, heart problems. If you do end up with high cholesterol, you usually will not have any symptoms and will have to go to your doctor to have them run a blood test to even find out if you have it.
- There could be mercury in shrimp, and while most of the time it’s low if you eat enough of it could become a problem. If you do end up with mercury poisoning, it could cause health problems in the long run.
- Finally, the last issue with shrimp is that it is a common allergy for people. If someone with an allergy is exposed to shrimp, they could end up having difficulty breathing, and should it not be taken care of, it can put their life at risk. However, EpiPens can help if you are in the middle of an allergic reaction.
How Much Shrimp Should You Consume?
The best way to avoid these risks is by being able to consume the recommended amount of shrimp. It is suggested that people eat about 8 ounces of seafood a week.
This portion size is based on people who are healthy and on a regular diet. Children and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should eat less.
Food is great, and it’s understandable why people may indulge in it, however, you need to eat shrimp in moderation.
If you do not, then you could end up with any of the risks that we listed right above.
Final Thoughts
And there you go, all you shrimp lovers out there! Now you know if shrimp counts as red meat, what the benefits and risks there are, and finally, how much you should eat.
The next time you end up shopping, consider picking up some shrimp so you can give this versatile food a try.
Always make sure to practice safe cooking practices. If you do, then you will have no problems.
You might also be interested in the following:
- Is Egg Considered Meat?
- Is Seafood Considered Red Meat?
- Is Pork Considered Red Meat?
- Is Lamb Considered Red Meat?
- Is Ham Considered Red Meat?
- Is Fish Considered Red Meat?
- Is Chicken Considered Red Meat?
- What Is Considered White Meat?
- What Is Considered Processed Meat?
- What Is Considered Lean Meat?
- What Is Considered Red Meat?
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.