Squid are mollusks and a type of cuttlefish. They have a conical body, a pale color with light brown spots, a large head, and ten tentacles at the front. The fin at the tail is triangular. They often swim in schools in the ocean at a depth of about 20 meters. Taxonomically, squid belong to the phylum Mollusca, class Cephalopoda, subclass Dibranchia, and order Decapoda. Squid have two gills as respiratory organs; their bodies are divided into a head, a very short neck, and a trunk.
Squid, also known as cuttlefish or arrow squid, are highly nutritious and a precious seafood product. They are basically the same as other cephalopod seafood like cuttlefish and octopus in terms of nutritional function. They are all rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other trace elements such as selenium, iodine, manganese, and copper.
Benefits of Squid:
1. Squid is rich in calcium, phosphorus, and iron, which is beneficial for bone development and blood production, and can effectively treat anemia;
2. In addition to being rich in protein and the amino acids the human body needs, squid also contains a large amount of taurine, which can inhibit cholesterol levels in the blood, relieve fatigue, restore vision, and improve liver function;
3. The peptides and selenium it contains have antiviral and anti-radiation effects. Squid has the function of nourishing yin, nourishing the stomach, tonifying deficiency, and moisturizing the skin.
1. Squid can be used in dishes such as stir-frying, sautéing, braising, stewing, and blanching;
2. Squid tentacles must be cooked thoroughly before eating. This is because fresh squid contains a peptide component; if eaten undercooked, it can cause intestinal motility disorders.
How to identify high-quality squid: High-quality squid have a complete and firm body, are pink, have a luster, have a slight white frost on the surface, have thick and semi-transparent meat, and the back is not red. Inferior squid have a thin, incomplete body, a yellowish-red color with a hint of black, no luster, too much white frost on the surface, and the back is dark red or moldy red.
There are two types of squid seen on the market today: one is the squid with a thicker trunk, also known as "arrow squid"; the other is the squid with a slender trunk, also known as "cuttlefish". Small cuttlefish are commonly called "small tubes".
Nutritional Content:
Calories, 84, kcal; Protein, 17.4, g; Fat, 1.6, g; Cholesterol, 268, mg; Vitamin A, 35, μg; Thiamine, 0.02, mg; Riboflavin, 0.06, mg; Niacin, 1.6, mg; Vitamin E, 1.68, mg; Calcium, 44, mg; Phosphorus, 19, mg; Potassium, 290, mg; Sodium, 110, mg; Magnesium, 42, mg; Iron, 0.9, mg; Zinc, 2.38, mg; Selenium, 38.18, μg; Copper, 0.45, mg; Manganese, 0.08, mg;
People who should avoid eating squid:
Every 100 grams of squid contains as much as 615 mg of cholesterol, which is 40 times that of fatty meat, 44 times that of whole milk, 3.4 times that of cuttlefish, 11 times that of hairtail, 7.7 times that of chicken breast, 7 times that of lean pork, 6.15 times that of lean lamb, 6.75 times that of lean beef, and 615 times that of soy products. Therefore, although squid is delicious, it is not suitable for everyone. People with hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, and liver patients should be cautious. Squid is cold in nature, so people with a weak spleen and stomach should also eat less. Squid is a "trigger food," so people with eczema, urticaria and other diseases should avoid it.
Healthy eating tip: Do not drink beer when eating seafood
Seafood is a high-protein, low-fat food that contains purines and nucleotides; beer contains vitamin B1, which is a catalyst for the metabolic breakdown of purines and nucleotides.
Eating seafood and drinking beer at the same time causes purines, nucleotides, and vitamin B1 to mix together, causing a chemical reaction that increases uric acid levels in the human blood and disrupts the original balance. If uric acid is not excreted from the body in time, it precipitates in the form of sodium salt, easily forming stones or triggering gout. In severe cases, it can lead to a body covered in red bumps, constant pain and itching, and an inability to walk. It truly is "a moment of gluttony leads to a bitter fruit to swallow".