Shrimp and Seafood Q & A

Below are general questions and answers related to shrimp and seafood. If you are looking for product-specific FAQ's, please visit our FAQ page.

Q

A

Not at all. Some small-size shrimp are not deveined and experts agree this doesn't affect the taste.

Q

A

Canned tuna used to be America's favorite but today, shrimp is the most-consumed seafood in the United States. According to the National Fisheries Institute, the average American ate 4.2 pounds of shrimp in 2004, up from 2.2 pounds in 1990. You go, shrimp!

Q

A

You'll be relieved to know that for most people, the mercury in fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Young children, pregnant and nursing women, and women who might become pregnant should follow mercury-related seafood advisories, especially for high-mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and to a lesser degree - albacore tuna.

Shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish are among the five most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury. Among popular shellfish, shrimp and crab are low in mercury. Lobster is a little higher but is still not risky. For more info about mercury, see realmercuryfacts.org.

Q

A

Definitely! Shrimp is a great way to meet your twice-a-week seafood goal. You'll find links to some interesting articles on this topic at the Shrimp Council's eatshrimp.com "Nutrition & Health" page. Or, see the latest dietary guidelines and create your own healthy food pyramid at mypyramid.gov.

Q

A

No, but that's a common misconception about shrimp. Physicians and dieticians tell us it is primarily the saturated fat content of foods, as opposed to cholesterol content, that causes an elevation in blood cholesterol. Shrimp are low in calories and saturated fat. Plus, shrimp contains a healthy dose of omega-3 fats, which have been shown to decrease heart disease risk by lowering triglyceride levels, reducing blood pressure, inhibiting blood clots, and raising good (HDL) cholesterol.

Q

A

You may be pleasantly surprised - kids like shrimp's taste and firm texture and most get a kick out of having bite-sized treats on their plates. Popcorn shrimp are a fun and easy introduction, or use grilled shrimp as a cheese pizza topper. If your kids like to crunch, try our yummy Popcorn Shrimp BBQ'd Nachos (but leave the jalapeños for the grownups at the table.)

Q

A

Right here at seapak.com! Visit us often - we're your 'one-stop-seafood-site' for updates on products, delicious shrimp and seafood recipe ideas, prep and serving tips, shrimp nutrition and a lot more. We're adding more new features all the time so keep our site bookmarked. Or if you can't find what you're looking for here, you can check out eatshrimp.com or aboutseafood.com. They're both excellent resources and provide links to shrimp and seafood nutrition information, cooking tips and industry news.