The Nutrition in Shrimp & Lobster Sauce

Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is a common dish found in Chinese restaurants, where peeled shrimp are stir fried in a wine and cornstarch based sauce. Depending if the dish was homemade or from a restaurant, one serving may be 309 calories to over 400 calories. Shellfish can be part of a healthy diet, but you need to add vegetables to make it really nutritious.

Protein

• One serving of shrimp is four to five ounces and offers approximately 15 grams of protein. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the best animal proteins are fish and poultry. Shrimp has less saturated fat than other meats, such as steak, and it is higher in protein than legumes, such as lentils. Diets that are well-balanced in protein and carbohydrates, such as brown rice, may help in weight control. Protein helps build muscle mass and provide the amino acids you need to be healthy.

Iron

• Shrimp with lobster sauce contains 34 percent of the daily requirement of iron, which is an essential mineral which helps proteins in the body form hemoglobin and myoglobin. Anemia is when the body is too low in iron, and this may cause weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness and weight loss. Children, strict vegetarians, and pregnant women are more susceptible to low iron levels. Eating food like shellfish can help prevent low iron levels. Also, combining iron rich foods with fruits and vegetables with vitamin C help the body absorb iron.

Niacin

• Niacin or vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means you need to continually replenish the body's source. Niacin is important in converting food into usable energy. It is needed in digestion, the nervous system and for the skin. It is found in meats like shellfish, and fortified cereals and bread contain niacin. Shrimp contains about 70 percent of the daily requirement. Pellagra is a niacin-deficient disease, and the symptoms include digestive problems and inflamed skin. Adult males should consume 16 milligrams of niacin per day, while adult women should consume 14 milligrams per day.

Magnesium

• Shrimp with lobster sauce has magnesium, which is an important mineral for the body. It is necessary for protein production, the transport of energy and the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Shrimp does contain some amounts of magnesium, about 15 percent of the required daily amount, but good sources of it include dark-green, leafy vegetables and beans. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are muscle weakness and sleepiness.

Omega-3

• The American Heart Association recommends Americans eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week, and this applies to shrimp. It reduces the risk of developing heart disease, and it reduces inflammation in the body. Shellfish, like shrimp, also tend to have less risk of mercury than larger fish such as tuna and tilefish. Shrimp with lobster sauce is a good source of omega-3 because fattier fish contain the most omega-3.