Shrimp: Calories, Nutrition Facts, and Health Benefits (2026)

Shrimp provides 84 calories and 20.4 g of protein per 3 oz cooked (85 g). It contains 0.2 g of carbs, 0 g of fiber, and 0 g of sugar, making it a very lean protein source. Additionally, shrimp offers 34 mcg of selenium and 1.27 mcg of vitamin B12 per serving.

This page explores the nutritional profile of shrimp, focusing on its calorie content, macronutrients, and health benefits. We will examine how shrimp fits into various dietary goals and its impact on blood sugar levels.

Shrimp Nutrition Facts (Per Serving and Per 100 g)

The following table outlines the detailed nutrition facts for shrimp per 3 oz cooked (85 g) and per 100 g serving.

Values are for 3 oz cooked (85 g).

Nutrient	Per Serving	Per 100 g	% Daily Value (per serving)
Calories	84	99	4%
Protein	20.4 g	24.0 g	41%
Carbohydrates	0.2 g	0.2 g	0%
Fiber	0.0 g	0.0 g	0%
Sugar	0.0 g	0.0 g	-
Fat	0.3 g	0.3 g	0%
Vitamin C	0.0 mg	0.0 mg	0%
Potassium	220 mg	259 mg	5%
Selenium	34 mcg	40 mcg	62%
Vitamin B12	1.27 mcg	1.50 mcg	53%

About 1% of shrimp calories come from carbohydrates, 96% from protein and 3% from fat.

Shrimp by Health Goal

Here, we evaluate shrimp based on common dietary goals, highlighting its suitability for various nutritional needs.

Goal	Rating	Why
Weight loss	Excellent	High protein for the calories (20.4 g in 84), very filling
Blood sugar / diabetes	Excellent	Contains essentially no carbohydrate, so it does not directly raise blood sugar
Immunity	Good	Rich in zinc, B12 and selenium, which support immune function
Digestion	Fair	Low in fiber; pair with vegetables or whole grains
Heart health	Excellent	Lean protein and, in oily fish, omega-3 fats that support heart health
Muscle gain	Excellent	High-quality complete protein at 20.4 g per serving

Shrimp and Blood Sugar

Glycemic index: 0. Glycemic load: 0 per serving.

Shrimp contains essentially no carbohydrate, so on its own it does not raise blood sugar; it is protein and fat.

How Shrimp Compares to Other Protein Foods

This section compares shrimp with other protein-rich foods, providing insight into its nutritional advantages.

Protein Food (per 100 g)	Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Sat Fat (g)
Shrimp	99	24.0	0.3	0.1
Canned Tuna	116	26.0	0.8	0.2
Cod	105	23.0	0.9	0.2
Tilapia	128	26.0	2.7	0.9

Shrimp Myths, Checked

Shrimp is bad because of cholesterol , Misleading. Dietary cholesterol has little effect on blood cholesterol for most people; shrimp is very lean and high-protein.

Shrimp has no nutritional value , False. 3 oz has about 20 g protein with selenium and B12 for under 100 calories.

How to Track Shrimp

With shrimp, the cut, the skin and the cooking method swing the calories and fat a lot, so log what you actually ate, not a generic average. Nutrola identifies food from a photo, barcode or voice entry and returns calories and macros, so you can log shrimp accurately instead of estimating. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

For related references, see protein per 100 calories ranked, highest-protein fish and seafood ranked, and every cut of steak and beef by calories.

Sources

Nutrition values are from the USDA FoodData Central database, shown per serving and per 100 g, rounded. Percent Daily Values use US reference intakes for a 2,000 calorie diet. Glycemic index and load are from published international tables and vary by variety, ripeness and cooking method. This is educational and not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in 3 oz of shrimp?

A 3 oz serving of shrimp contains 84 calories, making it a low-calorie protein option.

Is shrimp good for weight loss?

Yes, shrimp is good for weight loss due to its low calorie and high protein content, helping to promote satiety.

Can people with diabetes eat shrimp?

People with diabetes can eat shrimp, as it contains no carbohydrates and does not raise blood sugar levels.

How much protein is in shrimp?

Shrimp is high in protein, offering 20.4 g per 3 oz serving, making it an excellent source of lean protein.

Is shrimp high in sugar?

Shrimp is not high in sugar, containing 0 g of sugar per serving, making it suitable for low-sugar diets.

Is shrimp high in cholesterol?

Shrimp contains cholesterol, with about 166 mg per 3 oz serving, so moderation is advised for those monitoring cholesterol intake.

Key Takeaways

• Shrimp is low in calories, with only 84 calories per 3 oz cooked.
• It provides a significant amount of protein, at 20.4 g per serving.
• Shrimp contains no carbohydrates, fiber, or sugar.
• It is a good source of selenium, providing 34 mcg per serving.
• Shrimp has 0.3 g of fat, making it a lean protein choice.
• It is suitable for various dietary goals, including weight loss and diabetes management.