Why are squids useful?

Squid is a shellfish used in cooking. Due to its low calorie content and mass of useful properties, it is popular in dietary nutrition. The benefits and harms of squid have been studied by doctors for a long time. In Japan, its meat is referred to as "heart balm".

What is squid

Marine inhabitants belong to the order of ten-armed cephalopods. Their closest relatives are octopuses and cuttlefish. They differ in a variety of species, there are individuals painted in blue, pink and white.

They live in a variety of climates, most commonly subtropical and temperate waters. They are found mainly in the Japanese, Yellow, Adriatic seas. Some species are found even in the arctic regions. Another name for its valuable minerals is sea ginseng. It has long been considered a delicacy in many countries.

Chemical composition of squid

They contain many nutritional vitamins and minerals with beneficial properties.

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of squid in nutrition:

• vitamin C;
• vitamin E;
• thiamine;
• zinc;
• iodine;
• iron;
• vitamin B1;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• Omega-3;
• Omega-6;
• sulfur;
• vitamin B9;
• manganese.

Nutritional value and calorie content of squid

The nutritional value:

• proteins - 36%;
• carbohydrates - 1%;
• fat - 3%;
• sodium - 5%;
• cholesterol - 28%;
• potassium - 8%.

Energy value: an average of 120 kcal per 100 grams.

The number of calories and useful properties are determined depending on the method of preparation.

Cholesterol in squid

Most scientists agree that the cholesterol content in squid exceeds the permissible norm. It is most useful to use the product boiled. If a person already suffers from high cholesterol, doctors do not advise eating fried foods with a fatty sauce - this can be harmful to health.

Useful properties of squid

The main beneficial properties of seafood dishes:

• improve the work of the endocrine system;
• strengthen the cardiovascular system;
• remove slags and toxins from the body;
• have a diuretic effect;
• have a beneficial effect on the digestive system;
• have an anti-sclerotic effect;
• have a regenerating effect on the liver;
• promote muscle building.

Seafood is rich in riboflavin, which is why its use will help get rid of cramps and migraines. Phosphorus strengthens bones and teeth. Copper helps maintain optimal iron levels in the body. Potassium and cobalt improve blood composition, strengthen blood vessels.

The benefit of squid tentacles is that they contain easily digestible iodine. It helps to normalize the brain, activates the thyroid gland. Vitamin E maintains the beauty and youthfulness of the skin.

Why are squids useful for women

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids prevent aging. These substances are the prevention of neoplasms in the genital area in women.

The benefits of squid for men

The protein found in seafood is healthier for men than beef or pork protein. The benefits of squid for men's health is that it helps to increase potency, has a beneficial effect on the entire reproductive system as a whole, without harm to the body.

Is it possible to eat squid for pregnant women

They are valuable for the health of pregnant women due to the beneficial properties of the substances that make up them.

1. Protein contributes to the growth and development of the fetus.
2. The low fat content helps a woman not gain weight during pregnancy.
3. Normalize bowel function.
4. Useful for the development of the brain and memory of the unborn child.
5. A large amount of vitamins and minerals helps the expectant mother to strengthen the immune system and protect the body from colds.

Are squid good for breastfeeding?

Pediatricians consider the product to be useful for breastfeeding, but it is recommended to add the dish to the diet with some reservations.

Because of what harm can be done to the health of the baby:

1. Shellfish is a strong allergen. If an allergic reaction occurs, it can cause breathing difficulties or hives.
2. Due to the accumulation of heavy metals (including mercury) in carcasses, this may not be beneficial, but harm to health. For example, it can lead to a delayed development of the child's nervous system.
3. Poisoning can occur if defrosted incorrectly.
4. It is undesirable to eat high-protein foods by lactating women who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

At what age can squids be given to children

The product is absorbed by the child's body very quickly, but doctors do not recommend introducing it into the diet of children under 2 years of age. For the intestines of younger children, this is too much of a burden.

For children, the carcass is cut into small pieces and fried. Served with rice.

Squids with pancreatitis

Marine protein is very easily absorbed by the human body. Despite this useful property, doctors prohibit the delicacy for acute pancreatitis for the following reasons:

• it contains substances that enhance the secretory ability of the pancreas: for a healthy person this is the benefit of squid meat, for a patient - harm;
• refers to allergens, it enhances the pathological process in the pancreas.

Useful properties for pancreatitis:

• high iodine content;
• a large number of amino acids;
• high content of fatty acids;
• the presence of taurine, which maintains muscle tone.

The benefits of squid for weight loss

Eating dishes from this product throughout the week, you can lose about 5 kilograms without harm. Drink 2 liters of water a day throughout the week.

Diet

1. Breakfast - vegetable salad with squid.
2. Lunch - boiled clam meat, apples.
3. Dinner - boiled meat, feta cheese, green tea.

During the diet, it is not recommended to eat fried foods in order not to cause additional harm to the digestive system. People who are allergic to seafood should not adhere to a diet.

Salad recipe

Ingredients for cooking:

• shrimp - 0.2 kg;
• shellfish - 4 carcasses;
• Chinese cabbage - 0.2 kg;
• crab sticks - 1 pack;
• cheese - 0.125 kg;
• leeks - 1 bunch;
• olives - 12 pieces;
• olive oil to taste;
• lemon juice to taste.

Preparation:

1. Cut the boiled carcasses into half rings. Chop Chinese cabbage, grate cheese.
2. Cut the crab sticks into small pieces.
3. Chop the leeks finely.
4. Stir all the ingredients in a salad bowl, add olives, shrimps and season with olive oil and lemon juice.

The benefits and harms of squid, depending on the type of processing

Depending on the cooking method, the health benefits and harms of squid are different.

Dried squid

One of the most common beer snacks. They can also be used as an independent delicacy.

Benefit

Many manufacturers of dried seafood convince their customers that the benefits of squid shavings are preserved in full. Indeed, there are technologies that allow you to preserve all the benefits of seafood. The use of squid rings depends entirely on the good faith of the producers.

Harm

This method of heat treatment can bring not only benefits, but also harm. Despite the fact that most manufacturers indicate only shellfish meat and salt in the composition of the product, various examinations revealed the presence of flavoring additives, flavor enhancers and other substances harmful to human health.

Pickled squid

This is a delicacy snack for the home table and special occasions.

Benefit

Compared to fresh marinated squid, they are less calories - 106 kcal.

Harm

Unfortunately, with such processing, the chemical composition of the dish changes: the amount of protein and healthy fats decreases, the carbohydrate content increases, and many useful properties disappear. In addition, because of the vinegar, this delicious food is contraindicated for people with gastrointestinal diseases.

Smoked squid

Smoked meat is used as a snack or a salad. This dish has a spicy taste and leaves few people indifferent. Hot smoked squid can be cooked on the airfryer. The delicacy is kept in the refrigerator.

Benefit

To preserve valuable properties, the mollusk is smoked immediately after the catch. Thanks to smoking, pathogenic bacteria are destroyed in it, and the shelf life is increased. Another positive factor is that no oil or additional fats are used when smoking. Thus, the human body is saturated only with those fats that were originally in the meat. It is ideal for making salads with Korean carrots.

Harm

Unfortunately, despite its many benefits, smoking can be harmful to the body. Scientists have proven that smoked food retains a minimum of beneficial properties and contributes to the development of cancer (wood smoke contains volatile carcinogens).

Smoked meat contains 250 kcal per 100 grams. Despite the low calorie content, supporters of proper nutrition still warn against frequent consumption of this dish. It contains a large amount of salt, which disrupts the water-salt balance in the body.

Boiled and fried squid

The two most common home treatment methods do not coincide in the amount of benefits and harms to the body.

Boiled

Boiled seafood is very useful for improving memory, the work of the cardiovascular system. It increases tone in the elderly. The product does not need to be stored in the refrigerator, where it immediately loses its taste - it is better to eat it right away. It is often usefully included in the vitamin-protein diet menu.

Fried

The benefits of fried squid are minimal. This is a heavy food - it is not recommended for people who are on a diet, watch the figure. If shellfish meat has been cooked with a lot of fat, the dish loses most of its beneficial properties and can harm digestion.

Squid in cooking

When cooking shellfish dishes, chefs use mainly tentacles or carcasses. It is important to know one culinary secret: squid cannot be boiled for more than 5 minutes.

The best side dishes for seafood are rice or pasta. It goes well with other seafood. You can make tender minced meat from it and stuff pies with it. These gifts from Neptune are often used to prepare sushi and rolls and serve with soy sauce.

How to quickly peel squid

Shellfish are sold in two types: peeled and unpeeled.

Producers sell the freshly frozen product without a head, so all that remains is to clean the squid from the inside.

Cleaning fresh squid

To remove the film, you need to lower the frozen carcass in boiling water for a few seconds. The film will shrink and begin to fall off in rags.

Frozen shellfish

To begin with, the product is thawed, then dipped in boiling water for a few seconds and immediately poured over with ice water. The film will begin to shrink and will be easy to remove.

Mechanical cleaning method

Temperature fluctuations negatively affect the taste of the dish, so it is best to remove the film by hand using a knife. This method will take longer, but the dish will turn out to be much tastier and retain more useful properties.

How much to cook squid

Cooking time depending on the method:

• in a saucepan - 1–2 minutes;
• in the brewer - 5 minutes;
• in a pressure cooker - 1 min;
• in a slow cooker - 2 minutes;
• in the microwave - 3 minutes.

What can be cooked from squid

Almost all seafood dishes came to us from Japan and Italy, where chefs know how to appreciate the beneficial properties of ingredients.

The most popular seafood dishes:

• squid salad;
• in batter with Chinese sauce;
• pasta with clams in a creamy sauce;
• pickled squids;
• captain's salad;
• mushroom soup with squid;
• stuffed with mussels;
• stewed;
• squid appetizer with vegetables;
• seafood with rice;
• Bouillabaisse soup;
• burrito;
• paella;
• pizza with squid;
• salad "Emperor".

Several recipes:

Harm of squid and contraindications to use

Doctors and nutritionists do not recommend squid dishes for people with individual intolerance.

If the shellfish has been grown in an artificial environment, it may contain growth hormones or antibiotics that can harm humans.

The sea also currently contains many harmful substances such as mercury. In order not to harm your health, it is worth buying seafood only from reliable manufacturers.

Doctors advise against eating canned shellfish, as such food contains preservatives and other harmful substances and does not retain practically any useful properties.

Do not exceed the norm - 600 grams per week.

Conclusion

The benefits of squid for the human body are high, they are able to replace meat or fish in the amount of valuable substances. The health benefits and harms of squid directly depend on the amount of product consumed. By following the recommendations of doctors and the daily intake, you can get maximum nutrients from seafood.