For starters, shrimp is one of the most protein-dense foods you can find: each gram of meat packs a whopping 25 percent protein. And that’s great news for anyone looking to lose weight. When you make it a priority to fit protein-rich foods into your diet, you’ll help boost your metabolism and calorie burn, extend feelings of fullness so you won’t be reaching into that cookie jar post dinner, and maintain muscle mass so your body torches more fat. Protein isn’t the only stellar nutritional benefit. Shrimp is also an excellent source of selenium, an antioxidant mineral which is crucial for maintaining proper thyroid function, and thus, the key to a healthy metabolism. Not to mention, selenium will also support the production of collagen, keeping your skin smooth and glowing. Another killer benefit is shrimp’s vitamin B12 content. A single serving provides nearly 80 percent of your DV of the vitamin, which plays a key role in the function of your brain and nervous system, along with helping your body metabolize proteins and fats. All this, for just a fraction of the calories of other animal-based proteins—and if you buy frozen, it’s also a fraction of the price. If the nutritionals don’t sway you, maybe the fact that shrimp is quick to prepare will do so.
Add this to your recipe rotation so you can reap the waist-trimming benefits of a high-protein shrimp dish along with the bone-strengthening vitamin K via the fresh asparagus. Save Save. For a faster option, you can use an equal amount of raw zucchini noodles or ribbons in place of the spaghetti squash. Making sure your diet is healthy and balanced doesn’t have to be about cramming in fruit and veg wherever possible. Oysters Two Ways Prep Time. Brown sugar and Sriracha go into the egg white used in the breading—a brilliant way to achieve big flavor in little time and with less added sugar. The creamy garlic cilantro lime slaw is reason enough to add these crazy-good Baja inspired shrimp tacos to your Taco Tuesday rotation. With a mild, slightly-sweet flavor, shrimp pairs well with just about any sauce, veggie, or whole grain. Baked Shrimp in Lemony Garlic Sauce Recipe Ready in less than 20 minutes, these simple baked shrimp tossed in an indulgently rich lemon butter sauce boast just calories per serving. Milky Way Toasties Prep Time. This incredibly easy seafood dinner uses fresh pineapple and a teriyaki-style sauce for the classic sweet-and-tangy profile of Hawaiian shrimp. Fried shrimp Prep Time.
Throw a few ingredients—like some fire-roasted tomatoes, salsa, bell peppers, and some spices—in before you go out to run your errands, and just 3 hours later you’ll have dinner on the table. Credit: Robin Bashinsky. Here we incorporate sesame seeds into a light, supercrisp panko coating. Plus, with such bright flavors from freshly-grated ginger, sesame oil, and the hearty trio of onion, carrots, and snow peas that all come together in under 30 minutes, you’ll never think to order fried rice takeout again. The shrimp is balanced with slight sweetness, bitter char, and tangy lime—a combination that complements the refreshing melon. Best part? Fish and shellfish are excellent sources of protein for fewer calories than most meat. We know losing weight on a busy schedule can be tough, so anything that can help you can get dinner on the table in minutes is welcome news. Plus, coconut milk contains lauric acid, a healthy fat that your body preferentially burns for energy rather than stores away. Shrimp with Creamy Orange-Chipotle Sauce Recipe Half-and-half and grated orange rind create a citrusy 3-ingredient cream sauce that tames the spiciness of the chipotle chile.