This Week’s Recipe: Easy Shrimp & Cucumber Salad
This easy shrimp and cucumber salad is packed with protein and extremely low-calorie. This makes the perfect easy appetizer or healthy snack for any day of the week. Add tomatoes and avocado for a little something extra.
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History of Shrimp Salad
Health Benefits of Shrimp
Shrimp has an impressive nutrition profile.
It is quite low in calories, providing only 84 calories in a 3-ounce (85-gram) serving, and does not contain any carbs. Approximately 90% of the calories in shrimp come from protein, and the rest come from fat.
Additionally, the same serving size provides more than 20 different vitamins and minerals, including 50% of your daily needs for selenium, a mineral that may help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
Here is an overview of the nutrients in a 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of shrimp:
- Calories: 84
- Protein: 18 grams
- Selenium: 48% of the RDI
- Vitamin B12: 21% of the RDI
- Iron: 15% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 12% of the RDI
- Niacin: 11% of the RDI
- Zinc: 9% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 7% of the RDI
Shrimp is also one of the best food sources of iodine, an important mineral that many people are deficient in. Iodine is required for proper thyroid function and brain health.
Shrimp is also a good source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to astaxanthin antioxidants, which may have a variety of health benefits.
Health Benefits of Cucumber
Though commonly thought to be a vegetable, cucumber is actually a fruit.
It’s high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions.
Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.
One 11-ounce (300-gram) unpeeled, raw cucumber contains the following:
- Calories: 45
- Total fat: 0 grams
- Carbs: 11 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Vitamin C: 14% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 62% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 10% of the RDI
- Potassium: 13% of the RDI
- Manganese: 12% of the RDI
Additionally, cucumbers have a high water content. In fact, cucumbers are made up of about 96% water.
To maximize their nutrient content, cucumbers should be eaten unpeeled. Peeling them reduces the amount of fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.
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Pin for Later – Easy Shrimp & Cucumber Salad
healthy shrimp and cucumber salad
Equipment
- bowls
- cutting board
- knife
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 12-20 medium cooked shrimp, tails removed
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 medium roma tomato, diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups leafy green lettuce of choice, chopped this ingredient is optional
Instructions
- dice cucumber and tomatoes
- add shrimp, cucumber, and tomatoes to a bowl
- season with chili flakes, salt, and pepper
- add apple cider vinegar and combine all ingredients
- Serve over lettuce if using & enjoy!
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