Demystifying the Calories in Kroger’s Cooked Cocktail Shrimp

As a seafood lover, I frequently find myself grabbing a pack of cooked cocktail shrimp from the grocery store deli for a quick protein-packed snack or meal addition. Kroger’s cooked shrimp always catch my eye – they look plump and appealing in those little containers. But recently I decided to take a closer look and uncover just how many calories are actually lurking in these ready-to-eat shellfish.

When trying to eat healthy and maintain my fitness routine, details like calories sodium and other nutrition facts really matter. I try not to obsess over counting every calorie, but I also don’t want to be caught off guard by unexpected numbers. So I did a deep dive into the nutrition details on Kroger’s cooked cocktail shrimp. Keep reading to uncover what I learned!

Focusing on Tail-Off Shrimp

Kroger sells pre-cooked cocktail shrimp both with the tails on and tails removed For the purposes of this nutrition investigation, I focused specifically on Kroger’s cooked cocktail shrimp tail-off

Shrimp with the tails removed are often easier to eat, so they’re my go-to variety. Here’s an overview of the nutrition information per 3 oz serving (about 8 shrimp) of Kroger cooked cocktail shrimp with the tails off:

• Calories: 80
• Total Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 165mg
• Sodium: 550mg
• Total Carbs: 0g
• Protein: 18g

Now let’s break down those nutrition facts further.

Calories and Macros

Each 3 oz serving of Kroger’s tail-off cooked shrimp contains 80 calories. That’s quite low, making these shrimp a great option for low calorie, high protein snacks and meals.

With 18g of protein and virtually no carbs per serving, the macro nutrient breakdown is excellent as well. The protein will help you stay full and recover after workouts.

There’s only 1g of total fat. And with no carbs or fiber, this food is all about lean, filling protein.

Sodium Content

My biggest nutrition concern with deli shrimp is often the sodium content, since seafood products frequently contain added salt or preservatives.

Kroger’s cooked tail-off shrimp contain 550mg sodium per 3 oz serving. That’s not outrageous, but still relatively high at almost 25% of the recommended daily value. The American Heart Association recommends sticking to 1500mg sodium at most per day.

So if you ate 3 servings of these cooked shrimp, you’d be consuming well over your sodium max. Moderation is key to keep sodium in check.

Cholesterol and Calories

These shrimp pack quite a cholesterol punch, with 165mg per serving. That’s over half of the 300mg daily limit recommended for healthy adults.

Again, moderation is key. But for those with high cholesterol concerns, opting for plant-based protein sources more often may be a smarter choice.

As for calories, 80 calories per serving is nice and low. That makes these pre-cooked shrimp a solid choice for low calorie meals and snacks. You could enjoy 3 servings for just 240 total calories!

Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to protein, Kroger’s cooked shrimp provide a number of beneficial vitamins and minerals:

• 40mg Calcium
• 3mg Iron
• 200mg Vitamin A
• 2mg Vitamin C

Vitamin A supports eye health and immune function, while Vitamin C aids collagen production and iron absorption. The calcium and iron are nice bone and blood-boosting bonuses too.

Buying and Cooking Tips

When purchasing cooked cocktail shrimp:

• Look for shrimp that smell fresh, not fishy
• Avoid discolored or mushy shrimp
• Check the use-by date and pick the package with the latest date
• Make sure they are kept cold at the seafood counter

To cook raw shrimp at home:

• Thaw frozen shrimp before cooking
• Peel, devein, and rinse raw shrimp before cooking
• Grill, saute, or bake peeled shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side
• Cook shrimp until they turn pink and opaque

The Verdict

Overall, Kroger’s cooked cocktail shrimp provide an impressively protein-packed snack or meal addition at just 80 calories per serving. With 18g protein and minimal fat and carbs, they make the perfect high protein, low calorie food.

Just watch your sodium intake, as the 550mg per serving can quickly add up. And be mindful of cholesterol as well if that’s a concern for you. Moderation and portion control is key. But when you want a quick, lean protein fix, cooked cocktail shrimp do the trick!