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Nutritional Information on a Shrimp Basket With Fries

A food's nutritional value is affected by the way it is cooked. Cooking with vegetable oil can increase the level of trans fats in the food, which increase bad cholesterol in the body while lowering good cholesterol. However, there are some nutrients found in dishes like shrimp baskets with fries that remain in the food regardless of how they're cooked.

  1. Shrimp vs. Fries

    • Shrimp are lean and contain several beneficial nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids. French fries, however, are not considered healthy. Fries come from potatoes, which contain healthy nutrients, but the oils they're cooked in, such as corn oil and cottonseed oil, make them less healthy. For example, cottonseed oil is high in saturated fat, which is unhealthy.

    Examples

    • Long John Silver's crunchy shrimp contains 19 g of fat, including 5 g of saturated fat. It has 105 mg cholesterol and 12 g of protein for a 114 g serving size. Canned shrimp has 2 g of fat, no saturated fat, 323 g of cholesterol, 994 mg of sodium and 26 g of protein for a 128 g serving size. Long John SIlver's fries have 10 g of fat, with 2 g of saturated fat. They have 347 mg of sodium, 34 g of cholesterol and 2 g of protein for an 85 g serving size. McDonald's fries have 19 g of fat, 266 mg of sodium and 4 g of protein for a 117 g serving size.

    Shrimp Protein

    • Shrimp provides a lot of protein. Many foods that provide protein also contain a lot of fat, so shrimp is a low-fat source of protein. Some turn down shrimp because it has high cholesterol content. However, the shrimp has more good cholesterol than bad cholesterol.

    Shrimp Nutrients

    • Shrimp has a high amount of vitamin D and vitamins B12. Omega-3 fatty acids found in shrimp are good for the heart, helping to protect against abnormal heart rhythms. Omega-3 fatty acids also improve blood pressure. Both omega-3 fatty acids and selenium found in shrimp help protect against cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids are brain food and help protect against Alzheimer's disease. The fatty acids help improve mood and lower depression.

    Fry Nutrients and Fiber

    • French fries contain fiber, which helps improve the digestive system by clearing out the intestines. French fries contain potassium, which is important for keeping a positive mood and for maintaining energy levels. Vitamin B6 helps improve energy levels and reduce irritability. Vitamin B6, also in french fries, protects against bloating and hormonal swings.

    Fry Health Concerns

    • French fries are not considered a healthy meal, for the most part. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans on cutting the amount of french fries served in public schools by one fifth. Fast food restaurants often cook french fries in corn oil, which is high in harmful saturated fats and low in heart protective acids. A study published in the National Academy of Sciences found that five out of the six fast food chains tested contained corn oil. French fries have high calories in proportion to their size. French fries also often contain high amounts of sodium.

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