45 Squid Nutrition Facts: Protein-Rich Diet For You And Your Kids!

Squid is seafood and animal that belongs to the same family as octopuses, scallops, and oysters.

Squid is a popular food that is enjoyed by many. Squid, like many other kinds of seafood, also has many subspecies.

This seafood can be enjoyed in many ways. It can be grilled, broiled, seared, or braised. Squid can also be eaten raw in the form of sashimi. This popular seafood can also be eaten by breading and frying it. This process is known as preparing calamari.

In other words, calamari is a squid that is covered with bread crumbs and deep-fried. However, calamari is a common term that can be used to mean squid as food prepared in many ways.

Squid or calamari are relatively healthy foods. A three oz (85 g) serving of raw squid contains 78 calories, 0.09 oz (2.6 g) of carbohydrates, 0.04 oz (1.2 g) of total fat, and 0.47 oz (13.3 g) of protein. A serving of squid does not contain any fiber or sugars. Moreover, it contains nutrients such as selenium, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B12. Meanwhile, fried squid or fried calamari has extra calories and fats because of the added ingredients.

Once you finish reading this fun-facts article, you might be interested in reading our articles about sushi nutrition facts and sunflower seeds nutrition facts here at Kidadl.

It Reduces Bad Sterol

Sterol is a compound that is any part of a group of unsaturated steroid alcohols that occur naturally. Sterols are known as second messengers, as they pass information from outside a cell to the parts inside a cell in order to bring about change. The sterol present in squid fish is cholesterol.

A serving of three oz (85 g) of uncooked squid has around 0.006 oz (0.19 g) cholesterol in it. Squid has a very low saturated fat content. Saturated fat and trans fats are categorized as bad fat groups.

Saturated fat can cause high cholesterol levels in the body. Fried calamari has a total fat content that's more than raw calamari, with the total saturated fat amount increased too.

Raw calamari contains monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat that are of the good kind. The fatty acids from them can actually help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels in the body and improve the good cholesterol levels. Moreover, these fatty acids can also improve overall health.

Salt And Squid

As we mentioned earlier, squid is a fish that can be eaten in many ways. Grilled calamari, as well as raw squid, is a good source of vitamins, protein, and nutrients. They can be considered to be healthy foods. However, fried calamari is another matter.

Calamari cooked in olive oil and seasoned with salt is truly delicious. However, this food can increase the daily value of sodium. Daily value is a measure of how much a nutrient should be consumed on a daily basis. If the daily value of a nutrient is exceeded, it can cause several health-related issues.

When calamari is fried in oil and seasoned with salt, the amount of sodium increases significantly and can contribute to high cholesterol levels. The high cholesterol levels, in turn, can lead to various diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Impact On The Brain

Squid has many health benefits. It is a food that can be considered to be a good source of nutrient iron. The properties of iron help the functioning of the brain.

Squid also contains vitamin B12, which aids in the development and function of the brain and the health of the nervous system. It also helps patients with memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and poor concentration levels to some extent. Another vitamin present in calamari is vitamin C. One of the primary functions of vitamin C is to boost the immune system.

Another nutrient present in squid is fatty acids. Omega-three fatty acids are known for their many health benefits. They improve the health of a person by reducing the risk of developing heart disease, treating depression and anxiety, and improving eye health. In addition to this, omega-three fatty acids are also known for promoting a fetus' brain health during pregnancy and that of a child in the early stages of life.

Drawbacks Of Overeating Squid

Even though adding squid to your daily diet can be considered healthy, there are disadvantages to overeating squid.

Calamari, which is fried in oil, has a high cholesterol content. If this food is eaten on a daily basis, it can lead to severe negative effects on your body and overall health. There is a high chance of your body developing a (potentially severe) heart condition or very high blood pressure. Heart disease is a chronic disease that can also prove to be fatal.

A squid is also considered to be a shellfish. Thus, people with a shellfish allergy should avoid eating squid. An allergic reaction after consuming squid can have adverse effects on your body. If you accidentally eat squid and develop the symptoms of this allergy, you should immediately consult a doctor and get treated.

Moreover, like salmon and tuna, squid also contains mercury. Although the mercury levels are not very high, like in some tuna species, there is still a possibility of mercury poisoning after consuming squid. This can happen when you consume a large amount of this fish or overeat it.

Mercury poisoning can be really dangerous. Even though squid contains low levels of mercury, it is still advised to eat it in moderation. The recommendation for the consumption of this fish by adults is a four oz (113.39 g) serving eaten two or three times a week. Meanwhile, for children, it is a serving of one oz (28.34).

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our squid nutrition facts, then why not take a look at our samosa nutrition facts or spinach nutrition facts?