Ready to belly up to the oyster bar this summer? Before enjoying some of your favorite shellfish, you might want to understand their health benefits and the role they can play in a balanced diet.
Lucky for you, we know a thing or two about seafood. Shellfish happen to be high in protein and a great source of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids. Once you know the health facts and have a high-quality source of shellfish, they can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet.
Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into the health benefits of one particular shellfish; oysters. Read on to learn once and for all if oysters are good for you along with their specific health benefits.
In a serving of six medium-sized oysters (wild, raw or steamed) you’ll consume less than 50 calories. That’s 50 calories, total which makes them very heart-healthy.
Part of a Balanced Diet
Finally, we can’t overlook the importance of including oysters (or other seafood) as part of a balanced diet. As you can see, oysters can benefit your overall health. Since they’re low in calories but high in protein, they can also help support weight loss.
Click above (or right here) to hear what our chef and restaurant partners have to say about North Coast Seafoods.
What’s more, high protein diets may reduce heart disease risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes.
Oysters contain an exceptionally high amount of zinc. While this mineral is important for health, consuming too much can be harmful.
Though these results are promising, more research is needed to determine whether DHMBA would be effective in protecting against oxidative stress in humans.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Those who choose to eat raw oysters should be aware of these potential risks. At this time, there is no way to ensure that raw oysters are safe to consume, despite rigorous monitoring by both state and federal authorities.
Why You Should Eat Oysters at Home (And How to Shuck Them!) | What’s Eating Dan
FAQ
Is eating 12 oysters too much?
How many oysters is 1 serving?
How many oysters do I need for 2 people?
How many calories are in 6 raw oysters?
How many ounces of oysters are in a serving?
Oysters are one of the few species that are eaten both raw and cooked. Three ounces of raw oysters, which is about two medium oysters or three small oysters, is equal to a single serving. Three ounces of raw oysters contain: Calories: 69 Total fat: 2 g Cholesterol: 42.5 mg Sodium: 90.1 mg Total carbs: 4.2 g Dietary fiber: 0 g
Are oysters bad for cholesterol levels?
No, on the contrary, studies show that frequent consumption of oysters manages to lower cholesterol levels, due to the high content of essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6).
How many oysters should you order?
Many pros, including Erin Murray, author of Shucked, have some pretty strong opinions about how many oysters you should order. In a restaurant setting, Murray recommends ordering 6 oysters per person, which could be great for an appetizer. However, ordering in bulk for a party is a different story.
How many oysters should a party eat?
In a restaurant setting, Murray recommends ordering 6 oysters per person, which could be great for an appetizer. However, ordering in bulk for a party is a different story. Consider a few things: What else are you serving? If you’re serving another heavy main, people may eat fewer oysters. Are your guests big oyster fans?