How Many Carbs Are in a Pound of Shrimp?

Shrimp are a popular type of seafood that are low in carbs and calories but pack a good amount of protein. With their sweet, briny flavor and firm yet tender texture when cooked, shrimp make a nutritious addition to many dishes. But if you are watching your carbohydrate intake, you may be wondering – how many carbs are in a pound of shrimp?

In this article, we’ll break down the carb content in shrimp and look at how many carbs you can expect to get from a typical pound of these tasty crustaceans. We’ll also overview the health benefits shrimp provide and give tips for low-carb ways to enjoy them

Carb Content in Shrimp

Shrimp are naturally very low in carbohydrates. According to the USDA, one pound of shrimp (with shells removed) contains:

• Total Carbs: 4.13g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g

So a pound of shrimp has just over 4 grams of carbohydrate, with minimal fiber or sugar. The carbs come mainly from the glycogen stored in the shrimp muscle

Shrimp get most of their calories from protein. A 100g serving contains approximately:

• Calories: 106
• Protein: 23g
• Fat: 1g

The small amount of fat in shrimp comes mostly from healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Other common serving sizes for cooked shrimp show similarly minimal carbs:

• 3 oz shrimp: 1 gram carb
• 4 large shrimp: less than 1 gram carb
• 1 medium shrimp: less than 1 gram carb

So you can enjoy a protein-packed serving of shrimp without worrying about too many extra carbs.

Nutrition Benefits of Shrimp

In addition to being low in carbs and calories, shrimp offer many valuable nutrients:

• Selenium – Shrimp provide over 50% of your RDA for selenium, an antioxidant that supports immune and thyroid health.

• Vitamin B12 – A serving of shrimp delivers over 100% of the RDA for B12, which helps form DNA and keeps nerves healthy.

• Iodine – Shrimp are a good source of iodine, key for proper thyroid function and metabolism.

• Astaxanthin – This antioxidant compound gives shrimp their pink color and provides anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Protein – With around 20g protein per 3oz serving, shrimp support muscle growth, wound healing, and satiety.

So shrimp offer much more than just low carb content – they also supply antioxidants, key vitamins and minerals, and lean protein.

Low-Carb Ways to Enjoy Shrimp

There are many tasty ways to cook shrimp that keep carb counts low:

• Shrimp Kebabs – Alternate shrimp with low carb veggies like peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini on skewers. Grill until done.

• Shrimp Salad – Toss cooked shrimp with spinach, avocado, tomato, olive oil, and lemon juice.

• Garlic Shrimp – Saute shrimp in olive oil with minced garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon, and parsley over zoodles or cauliflower rice.

• Shrimp Tacos – Wrap shrimp with cabbage slaw, salsa, and avocado in lettuce leaves instead of tortillas.

• Shrimp & Veggie Foil Packs – Seal shrimp with broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, and butter in foil then grill or bake.

With just a few simple swaps like avoiding breaded coatings, sugary sauces, and high carb sides, you can enjoy succulent shrimp on a low carb diet.

Should You Eat the Shrimp Tail?

The tail of a shrimp contains mostly inedible shell or exoskeleton. Many people remove the tail before eating shrimp. However, the tail is safe to eat if peeled or sucked. It contains a small amount of meat and provides extra flavor. Eating the tail shouldn’t significantly impact the carb or calorie counts.

Shrimp Nutrition Facts Summary

To wrap it up, a pound of shrimp contains only about 4 grams of carbohydrate, with no fiber or sugar. The minimal carbs make shrimp a great protein choice for low carb and keto diets. Shrimp provide plenty of other key nutrients too like selenium, B12, iodine, and antioxidants.

There are many simple ways to prepare shrimp while keeping net carbs low. Considering their impressive nutrition profile and versatility, shrimp are one of the best low-carb seafood options to include in your diet.