BBQ SHRIMP
If you are like me, you probably enjoy seafood! My wife created this super, simple shrimp dish and it was so delicious that I had to share it with you. But first, let’s talk about the food!
Healthy Benefits of Shrimp
Shrimp is a great source of more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. A 3 ounce serving of shrimp provides 50% of your daily needs for selenium–a mineral that may help reduce inflammation and promote heart health. Another mineral high in shrimp is iodine. This mineral is a must for proper thyroid function. An improperly functioning thyroid can hinder your weight loss! Furthermore, iodine is important for brain health.
Shrimp is also an excellent source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-3’s are polyunsaturated fatty acids and have beneficial effects on the following:
- Blood triglycerides and cholesterols
- Blood vessel health
- Inflammation
- Brain Function
- Insulin Sensitivity
Omega-6’s are also polyunsaturated fatty acids and while you want to get more Omega-3’s compared to Omega-6’s in your diet, these fatty acids are necessary for….
- Blood vessel constriction
- Inflammation
- Blood clotting
Although this fatty acid has been given a bad reputation, a 2018 study of nearly 40,000 adults from 10 different countries argued that Omega-6 fatty acids may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Shrimp also contains astaxanthin, which is an antioxidant. This carotenoid comes from the algae shrimp eat; it also is what gives the shrimp its reddish hue. According to Healthline.com, studies of astaxanthin show that it may help with the following:
- Reducing the risk of chronic diseases
- Strengthening arteries and, thus reducing the risk of a heart attack
- May help increase levels of HDL (the so-called “good” cholesterol)
- Helps with brain healthThe long-associated negative of shrimp is the high cholesterol level. Shrimp may have as much as a 85% higher amount of cholesterol when compared to other seafoods!Cholesterol is produced by your liver and is needed from proper cellular function. There is evidence which suggests that cholesterol coming from food has only a slight impact on one’s overall cholesterol level. The reason cholesterol from food doesn’t boost your overall level is because the liver slows down production enough cholesterol is present in the body. Furthermore, according to a study adults who ate shrimp everyday actually saw an increase in “good” cholesterol levels and a reduction of triglycerides! Another study showed that regular consumption of shrimp does not increase the risk of heart disease.
Shrimp and Weight Loss
Shrimp is beneficial for weight loss because it is low in calories and high in protein. You are not going to get a significant insulin (Fat Truck) response when you enjoy this wonderful seafood option and you can leverage it for fat burning power. Since it is lower in calories, you may enjoy a good amount of shrimp. For example, 15 medium raw shrimp are about 100 calories so you can enjoy 20 to 30 and still be good.
In weight loss mode, you may enjoy the shrimp by itself or you may safely pair it with a fibrous carbohydrate (FC). If you are losing weight and your cholesterol numbers are good, you may add a natural carbohydrate along with the fibrous carbohydrate as long as you watch your portion control. We teach about portion control and how to combine food to make it work for you in the Achieve Weight Loss Course
The Recipe
Below is the simple and super-tasty BBQ Shrimp recipe my wife made. I hope you try it. I’d love to hear your feedback!
