Written by Caitlin Havener Rogers — Certified Precision Nutrition Coach
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Also note: While I am a certified nutrition coach, I am not a medical doctor. Information here is not intended to be a replacement for the advice you should seek from your doctor.
Craving southern comfort food but trying to crush your health goals!? This Cajun Shrimp 🍤 & Grits has all the taste and comfort without the ridiculous amount of fat!
It is so easy to make! Pair with my recipe for Low-Fat Creamy Grits here.
Ingredient Selection Tips
Shrimp
The most important thing when buying shrimp (if not frozen) is to choose the freshest possible. Like other seafood, shrimps should not have a “fishy” smell. They should have the smell of clean sea and saltwater. Their eyes should be glossy and intact, and if you press their body with your finger, it should bounce back immediately.
Avoid imported shrimp, the most secure is to buy shrimp caught in America, like from Oregon or British Columbia.
If you want to bring the same quality standards to other seafood, suppliers like Lobster Anywhere ship fresh, sustainably sourced lobster straight to your door, a reliable option when you’re craving that same coastal freshness in a dish but don’t have easy access to a quality fishmonger nearby.
Spices
For optimum flavor, buy spices as fresh as possible and try to purchase whole ones, and grind them. Also, ground spices are not required to be free of contaminants. Avoid buying them in your regular store, as there is a big chance that they are on the shell for a long time already. Better places for looking for fresh spices are some ethnic stores, online, or local spice merchants. It’s ideal to buy small amounts often. I encourage you to grow your own spices like Basil, Oregano, Chilli, Parsley, etc., as this way you can have the best spices for sure!
After you find your spices, make sure that you store them right. It is important to save them in a dry and dark place, preferably in glass jars.
Noteworthy Health Benefits
Shrimp
Shrimp are low in calories and contain no carbs at all. Around 90% of calories come from protein and 10% from fat. It has a rich nutrition profile with more than 20 different vitamins and minerals like selenium, vitamin B12, iron, niacin, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. Shrimp is also a good source of iodine which is important for proper thyroid function and brain health and is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
All of this makes shrimp an ally of your health:
- It may promote weight loss
- It may have anti-aging properties
- May prevent hair loss
- May improve bone health and brain health
Shrimp are high in cholesterol, so try to be moderate your consumption. Though according to Healthline, it raises both “good” and “bad” cholesterol, so there are other factors to consider here if you are worried about your cholesterol levels.
Green Peppers
Green Peppers are basically unripe Bell Peppers. They are a type of fruit, not vegetables as most people think. Green Peppers are low in calories, very nutritious, and rich in Vitamin C and B6.
Here are some health benefits of consuming this healthy fruit:
- they are good for your gut health, as they are a good source of fiber
- may promote eye and heart health
- can help to maintain your healthy weight
Healthy Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 0,5 Medium Onion diced
- 1 Green Pepper diced
- 1-2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 Tomato diced
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1lb Shrimp defrosted
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 tsp Dried basil
- 0,5 tsp Dried thyme
- 0,5 tsp Black pepper
- 0,5 tsp White pepper
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0,25tsp Ground red pepper, or Red pepper flakes
Grits
- 1 cup Grits
- 0,5 tsp Salt & Pepper
- 2 Bay leaves
- 0,5 tbsp Butter
- 0,25 cup Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2,75 cup Water
Instructions
Shrimp
- Combine seasonings (or purchase cajun blend) in a large ziplock bag or sealable container.
- Add shrimp to bag and toss to coat.1lb Shrimp
- Heat pan on medium-high with olive oil.1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until slightly softened.0,5 Medium Onion
- Add shrimp and diced tomato.1 Tomato, 1lb Shrimp
- Cook shrimp on both sides about 2-3 minutes on each side, while frequently tossing other ingredients in the pan.1lb Shrimp
- Ingredients in pan are ready when shrimp is no longer pink.1lb Shrimp
- Top over grits and squeeze lemon on top.1 cup Grits
Grits
- Bring water to a boil and then add grits and seasonings. Lower to a simmer and cover.1 cup Grits
- After about 10 minutes stir in butter. Then recover and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once ready, remove from heat and enjoy!
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