Regardless of age, calcium supplementation is very important. Obtaining natural calcium from food is not only safer, but the absorption and utilization rates of calcium are also high. Besides milk, dried tiny shrimp is an excellent source of calcium. Dried tiny shrimp is a nutrient-rich food with diverse cooking methods that can greatly enrich the deliciousness of the dining table. However, when supplementing calcium with dried tiny shrimp, special attention must be paid to the cholesterol it contains, and it should not be consumed in excessive amounts.
Dried tiny shrimp can be called the calcium champion among daily foods
Dried tiny shrimp is processed from krill, and its calcium content is very considerable. Every 100 grams of dried tiny shrimp contains nearly 1000 milligrams of calcium, making it almost the champion in calcium content among common foods. A handful of dried tiny shrimp contains about 247 milligrams of calcium, which is almost equivalent to the calcium content in 250 milliliters of milk. However, dried tiny shrimp is small in volume and doesn't take up much stomach space. Coupled with its diverse cooking methods, a small handful of dried tiny shrimp, with a little sesame oil and chopped scallions, plus some seaweed, becomes a bowl of excellent soup with great color, aroma, and flavor when poured with boiling water. Home-cooked dishes like dried tiny shrimp tofu, dried tiny shrimp chives, dried tiny shrimp with small onions, and dried tiny shrimp radish soup are all delicious. Using it to make wontons not only adds a layer of freshness but also increases its nutritional value. Therefore, it can be said that supplementing calcium by eating dried tiny shrimp is simpler than doing so by drinking milk.
The cholesterol and salt in dried tiny shrimp cannot be ignored
However, as an animal-based seafood, dried tiny shrimp also contains a relatively high amount of cholesterol. In terms of data, a handful of dried tiny shrimp contains about 107 milligrams of cholesterol, which is roughly equal to the cholesterol content in 710 milliliters of milk. This means that for people with abnormal blood lipids, supplementing calcium by drinking milk would be safer.
Dried Tiny Shrimp and Winter Melon Soup
Another noteworthy point is the salt content in dried tiny shrimp. A handful of dried tiny shrimp contains about 1264 milligrams of sodium, equivalent to 3.2 grams of salt, which is already more than half of the recommended daily salt intake for Chinese people according to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines for Residents. Some studies suggest that blood pressure has a negative correlation with calcium content. For some patients, appropriately supplementing with calcium-rich dried tiny shrimp can control blood pressure without any medication, just by increasing calcium intake. Therefore, increased intake of dried tiny shrimp is recommended. However, if it is sodium-rich dried tiny shrimp, it may not only fail to control blood pressure but could potentially increase the risk of developing hypertension during certain seasons like winter.
There are two types of dried tiny shrimp sold on the market: one is sun-dried, and the other is boiled and then dried. The former is salt-free, has a strong umami flavor, a good texture, and is less prone to dampness and mold, allowing for long-term storage. When buying, pay attention to the color; a white and bright color is best. If the color is dark yellow, the individual pieces are soft, broken, and unshapely, and lack luster, the quality is poor and it should not be purchased. The latter is shrimp that has been boiled, then dried. It should have a light red color, be shiny, have a moderately firm texture, and possess a fresh flavor. Low-sodium dried tiny shrimp are also available in the market. This type is better, and it is recommended that everyone purchase this type with less salt. At the same time, when cooking with dried tiny shrimp, pay special attention to controlling the addition of salt.