All seafood products have immense health benefits, and oysters are no exception. On top of their robust health profile, oysters are delicious to feast on, making them a go-to summer treat. Here’s a glimpse of the nutritional value of oysters.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
Many people prefer to eat oysters raw right out of the shell, but you can also steam, grill, roast and poach them. Oysters are true nutritional powerhouses because they are loaded with essential minerals and proteins, plus they have next to no fat (unless you fry them of course).
Oysters are low in calories and fat, and are high in zinc, iron and protein. They also contain very little carbs yet are extremely flavorful and filling.
Let’s take a quick look at the nutritional value of oysters:
- Calories: 79
- Protein: 9 g
- Carbs: 4 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Zinc: 555% of Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B12: 538% of DV
- Copper: 493% of DV
- Selenium: 56% of DV
- Iron: 40% of DV
- Manganese: 20% of the DV
- Phosphorus: 12% of the DV
- Vitamin E: 9% of the DV
- Riboflavin: 9% of the DV
- Calcium: 7% of the DV
As one of the most nutritious foods in the world, oysters offer a wide range of nutrients, including:
Vitamin B12
This vitamin is important in maintaining your nervous system as a whole, as well as your metabolism and blood cell formation. Many people have a vitamin B12 deficiency, so eating oysters could help with this.
Zinc
This mineral is important in maintaining good immune health, cell growth and metabolism. Just a 3.5-ounce serving of oysters gives you more than 500% of the DV.
Selenium
This mineral is essential for maintaining proper thyroid functioning and metabolism, and oysters have plenty of it.
Iron
The body needs iron in order to make myoglobin and hemoglobin, which are proteins responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Many people are anemic, which means they get insufficient levels of iron from regular dietary sources. Oysters have 40 percent DV of iron.
Protein
Oysters are high in protein, with just a 3.5-ounce serving containing nine grams of this nutrient. Oysters also happen to be a complete protein source, which means they comprise all nine essential amino acids your body needs to function.
When you add protein sources like oysters to your diet, you are promoting a feeling of fullness while encouraging weight loss. That’s because protein-rich foods work to stabilize hunger by boosting levels of hormones such as cholecystokinin, which help you feel fuller for longer.
With so many benefits behind them, it’s a no-brainer to incorporate oysters into your regular diet!
Contact HM Terry Co. For Fresh Sewansecott Oysters
We invite you to try our farm-raised oysters originating from the ocean-filtered Atlantic waters of Hog Island Bay, VA. Fresh, tender and nutritious, our oysters offer the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Order from H.M. Terry Co. today when you call us at 757-442-7006.
