how many calories in 12 shrimp

Deciphering Shrimp Calories: Getting to the Bottom of How Many Calories Are in 12 Shrimp

Shrimp are a cherished seafood treat that lend delightful flavor and texture to appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, and more. Their versatility and popularity at the dinner table means shrimp appear often in many diets. However, some calorie-conscious diners may hesitate before digging into a crispy shrimp cocktail or zesty shrimp scampi. That’s where the question arises – just how many calories are there in everyone’s favorite crustacean?

When hunger comes calling, knowing shrimp calorie counts provides useful insight into dietary decisions Let’s explore the calorie content in 12 shrimp to figure out where these succulent shellfish stand in your meal plan. We’ll also look at factors that influence total shrimp calories and see how shrimp compare to other high-protein selections

Total Calories in 12 Medium Shrimp

First, we need to establish how many total calories are in a standard serving of 12 medium-sized shrimp? According to the USDA, 12 medium shrimp cooked with no added butter or oil contain approximately 76 calories. Each medium shrimp has roughly 6 calories, so a serving of 12 pieces rings in at 76 calories total.

For comparison, Nutritionix data lists 12 medium cooked shrimp at 86 calories total, with each shrimp averaging around 7 calories So in the range of 76-86 calories is a reasonable estimate for total calories in 12 basic medium shrimp When adding sauces, oils or deep frying, calories will increase.

Shrimp Nutrition Facts and Macronutrients

Now that we know the total calories, let’s examine the full nutrition facts and macronutrient profile of shrimp. In a 76 calorie serving of 12 shrimp:

• Fat: 1.3g
• Carbohydrate: 0.7g
• Protein: 14.6g

We can see that shrimp offer high protein content with minimal fat and carbs per calorie. The majority of shrimp’s calories, about 81%, come from its protein. Shrimp also provide vitamin D, selenium, and antioxidant astaxanthin.

Calorie Factors: Size, Preparation Method and Weight

Of course, the precise calorie count for 12 shrimp depends on a few factors:

• Shrimp size – calories differ for small, medium or large
• Cooked vs. raw – raw is slightly lower calorie before cooking oil/butter is added
• Preparation method – grilled, boiled, fried etc.
• Weighed with or without shell
• Individual shrimp weight in ounces

For example, 12 jumbo shrimp may have more calories than 12 medium, since jumbo are larger. Deep frying adds more calories from oil than boiling. And weighing shrimp with the shell increases calories compared to weighing cooked, peeled shrimp.

Calories in Other Common Shrimp Portions

Beyond 12 shrimp, it’s helpful to know calories in other common shrimp portion sizes:

• 100g of shrimp has about 106 calories
• 1 pound of shrimp contains roughly 481 calories
• 1 cup of cooked shrimp has around 209 calories
• 1 tablespoon of canned tiny shrimp is about 11 calories
• 1 fried breaded shrimp is around 18 calories

As a guideline, shrimp generally contain about 100 calories per 3-4 ounces when steamed or boiled plain. Know that sauces, butter, breading or frying oil will increase the calories.

Shrimp Calories vs. Other High-Protein Foods

Now let’s see how shrimp compare to other protein-rich foods. Three ounces of cooked shrimp provides roughly 90 calories. That’s fewer calories than the same weight of chicken breast (140 calories) or flank steak (150 calories). Shrimp also has fewer calories compared to salmon (156 calories) or tuna (119 calories).

Shrimp offer a high ratio of protein to calories, packing over 20g of protein into a 100 calorie serving. Compared to red meat, shrimp provide more protein per calorie, with less total fat and no carbs or cholesterol. Shrimp are also low in mercury risks compared to some fish.

So in terms of calories, fat, carbs and mercury, shrimp offer an appealing nutritional profile among seafood and meat. Their lower calorie density makes shrimp, and seafood in general, a smart choice when managing calories and macros.

Keep Shrimp on the Menu in a Balanced Diet

Now that we’ve explored the calories in everyone’s favorite crustaceans, shrimp can stay on the menu even when counting calories. Pay attention to portion sizes, choose lean preparations like grilling or boiling, and balance intake as part of your daily calorie goals.

A 3-4 ounce serving of shrimp averages 100-120 calories, aligning nicely with a standard portion of protein in a meal. So for a flavorful, nutrient-dense protein low in carbs and fat, shrimp should continue to play a delicious role in healthy diets and lifestyles. Just keep the calorie count for your preferred serving size in mind as you enjoy juicy, succulent shrimp in salads, seafood dishes and more.