Is Shrimp Bad for Diabetes? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Shrimp is good for diabetes. Because it has omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin that can lower the risk of diabetes complications.

Diabetes is a condition that affects your blood sugar levels and how your body uses insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use glucose, the main source of energy for your body.

In diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly.

This can lead to various health problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye problems.

One of the key factors in managing diabetes is diet.

What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, which can impact your diabetes symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage diabetes, you should consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and avoid added sugars and refined grains like white bread, rice, and pasta.

Fiber helps slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, which can prevent spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels.

Now, shrimp is a type of seafood that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein.

People usually eat shrimp boiled, grilled, or fried with different sauces and seasonings.

Shrimp is good for diabetes because it contains omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin.

Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for your heart and blood vessels, and astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that can protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.

Both of these can help lower the risk of diabetes complications.

A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of shrimp can give you 20 grams of protein, 540 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, and 38 micrograms of vitamin D (about 59% of your daily needs).

Protein can help you feel full and maintain your muscle mass.

Omega-3 fatty acids can improve your blood lipid profile and lower your blood pressure.

Vitamin D can support your immune system and bone health.

Furthermore, shrimp is a lean protein and lean proteins are good for diabetes.

Because, they can help you control your weight and blood sugar levels without adding too much fat or calories to your diet.

You can eat up to 8 ounces (227 grams) of shrimp per week safely.

More than that can cause excess cholesterol intake, which can raise your risk of heart disease.

Shrimp is also high in sodium, which can increase your blood pressure if you consume too much.

Also, you shouldn’t eat shrimp if you have an allergy to shellfish or iodine to prevent anaphylaxis or other allergic reactions.

Because, shrimp contains proteins and minerals that can trigger your immune system to overreact.

You can buy fresh shrimp in your local market or can order it from online.

Always choose shrimp that are firm, translucent, and smell fresh.

Because, these are signs of good quality and freshness.

You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing diabetes effectively.

I always recommend my diabetes patients to follow a diabetes-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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