Satisfy Your Cravings: A Closer Look at Calories in Shrimp Breaded and Fried

Shrimp is a classic seafood that most of us love especially when it’s crispy and golden brown from frying. Breaded fried shrimp is a popular appetizer or entree at many restaurants. But when counting calories it’s good to know exactly what you’re biting into. In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into the calorie count and nutrition facts for breaded fried shrimp.

An Overview of Calories in Fried Shrimp

A typical serving of breaded fried shrimp contains about 120-170 calories This is for 3-5 pieces of medium sized shrimp with batter. For comparison, here are the calories for some common shrimp preparations

• 3 steamed shrimp: 27 calories
• 3 grilled shrimp: 42 calories
• 3 breaded baked shrimp: 90 calories
• 3 breaded fried shrimp: 120 calories

As you can see, breading and frying adds a significant amount of calories. The cooking method really impacts the calorie density.

Now let’s look at the calories and macros for a typical serving of breaded fried shrimp:

• Calories: 120
• Total fat: 7g
• Carbs: 11g
• Protein: 3g

The majority of calories come from fat, followed by carbs and protein. The high fat and carb content is due to the oil used for frying and the breading coating.

Calorie Count for Different Sized Fried Shrimp

Shrimp come in sizes like small, medium, large, jumbo and more. So the calorie count can vary depending on the size of your fried shrimp. Here are some common serving sizes and calorie amounts:

• 3 small fried shrimp: 90 calories
• 3 medium fried shrimp: 120 calories
• 3 large fried shrimp: 170 calories
• 1 jumbo fried shrimp: 74 calories

Jumbo shrimp have the highest calorie count per piece, but a typical serving will have less jumbo shrimp than smaller shrimp. When counting calories, check the serving size details to get an accurate amount.

Nutrition Facts for Fried Shrimp: More Than Just Calories

When choosing foods, it’s important to look beyond just calories. Here are some key nutrition facts in 3 fried medium shrimp (120 calories):

• Fat: 7g (9% DV)
• Sodium: 350mg (15% DV)
• Cholesterol: 23mg (8% DV)
• Protein: 3g (6% DV)
• Iron: 0.3mg (2% DV)

Fried shrimp is high in cholesterol and sodium, which you may want to limit. It provides a small amount of protein and iron. Overall the nutrition profile is unbalanced, with not many redeeming nutrients.

Compare this to 3 grilled shrimp (42 calories) which has way less fat, cholesterol and sodium. The cooking method really changes the nutrition profile.

Tips for Enjoying Fried Shrimp While Watching Your Calories

Here are some tips to enjoy breaded fried shrimp in moderation as part of a balanced diet:

• Stick to a small serving size of 3-5 pieces. Avoid “all you can eat” fried shrimp.
• Try lighter cooking methods like grilling, steaming, or baking instead to reduce calories.
• Enjoy it as an occasional treat, not a regular meal option.
• Pair it with lower calorie sides like a salad or steamed veggies.
• Ask for sauce on the side to control how much you use.
• Opt for smaller shrimp sizes to get a satisfying crunch with less calories.

At the end of the day, breaded fried shrimp is a high calorie food. But armed with the facts, you can still incorporate it into your diet in moderation. Just focus on small portions, lighter cooking methods, and pairing it with lower calorie foods. This allows you to satisfy your cravings and love your food while still looking after your health!