A 3-ounce (oz) serving of crawfish contains just over one-third of the Daily Value (DV) of cholesterol. If people prepare crawfish correctly, it can be part of a balanced diet.
Some shellfish dishes, such as fried crayfish tails and crayfish au gratin, may contain significantly more cholesterol. This is because they contain other cholesterol-rich ingredients like butter and cheese.
All seafood can be part of a heart-healthy diet because it’s usually
Read on to learn about crawfish cholesterol levels and nutritional information, as well as low-cholesterol seafood options and tips for preparing low-cholesterol foods.
The DV for cholesterol is less than 300 mg. A 3 oz serving of crayfish tail meat contains
If a person is at high risk for cardiovascular disease, doctors may suggest limiting cholesterol to less than 200 mg per day. In this case, a 3-ounce serving is just over half the recommended amount.
The amount of cholesterol in crayfish dishes depends on how much fish they contain and the amount of cholesterol in other ingredients.
However, fried crawfish tails are breaded and fried, so they are not as healthy. In addition, crayfish gratin contain more cholesterol because they contain cheese, butter and cream. Baking, boiling and steaming are healthier cooking methods.
Below is the nutritional information for a
The crayfish contains
The AHA recommends eating 8 oz of unfried fish per week. Because shellfish is low in saturated fat, it’s a healthy alternative to poultry and many cuts of meat.
However, it is important to note that crawfish are only a healthy choice if a person prepares them in a nutritious way and avoids using ingredients high in cholesterol and saturated fat. Crawfish dishes fried or containing ingredients containing saturated fat may not be suitable.
The fish is
Some fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in cholesterol. These are particularly heart-healthy choices, as fats help lower triglycerides and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Below are the cholesterol values for 3 oz of several varieties of omega-3 rich fish:
The
- Eat less meat: People may try replacing meat with bean and vegetable dishes, using the meat primarily for flavoring rather than as the main ingredient in a dish.
- Cook vegetables the nutritious way: This may involve cooking them with a small amount of oil and water and seasoning them with herbs and spices instead of heavy pre-packaged seasonings and sauces.
- Substitute oil for pureed fruits and vegetables in baked dishes: For example, a person could use applesauce or mashed bananas instead of oil in muffins.
- Replace solid fats with liquid oils in recipes: Liquid oil is more beneficial than shortening, stick margarine, lard, and butter.
- Choose low-fat dairy products: While the AHA recommends low-fat or skim instead of whole milk, it should be noted that some studies dispute this recommendation.
Research from 2017 states that most of the evidence supports the hypothesis that there is generally no link between dairy fat and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. - Increase fiber and whole grains: Examples include eating whole fruit instead of drinking fruit juice and replacing brown rice with white rice.
- Make sauces and gravies less fatty: People can remove the hardened fat before making the sauce and separate the fat from the cooking broth.
- Decrease saturated fat in poultry and meat: When shopping, a person can choose lean or extra lean ground beef and cuts of meat with minimal visible fat. They can also choose chicken or turkey over fattier poultry, such as goose or duck, and limit processed meats, such as sausages and hot dogs.
As long as a person prepares them in a healthy way, the
People with high cholesterol should be careful in preparing the crayfish dishes they eat. Healthy preparation involves boiling, baking, broiling, or broiling while avoiding the addition of cholesterol-rich ingredients like cheese, butter, and cream.
