The Nutrition of Langostino

Langostino, also called langostine and langoustine, is commonly thought of as lobster, although it is not. Rather, it is a pelagic crab. This small shellfish resembles a lobster in taste, texture and appearance, but costs less than authentic lobster. Restaurants across the United States often offer langostino on their menus; not all identify it as such, however. Many call it lobster, which has created some controversy in some industries including the fishing industry.

Calories

A 4-oz. serving of langostino contains 93 calories 1. This comprises 4.6 percent of the calories you should consume daily if you adhere to a 2,000-calorie diet. To create a healthy a meal, consider serving langostino with a side of vegetables, such as kale or carrots, and a nutritious grain or bread roll.

Macronutrients

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Langostino contains no carbohydrates, although it does provide you with 21 grams of protein per serving. The Institute of Medicine recommends consuming 46 to 56 grams of protein daily to meet energy needs and promote muscle building. Protein also aids your body in manufacturing hormones and enzymes and keeps your immune system functioning at optimal levels. A 4-oz. portion of langostino also has 1 gram of fat, making this shellfish a good choice for low-fat diets. Your meal plan does require some fat, but too much – more than 20 to 35 percent of your total calories in a day – can result in obesity.

Minerals

You’ll get a boost of both calcium and iron in your diet when you include langostino in your meal plan. A 4-oz. serving provides 8 percent of the daily recommended intake of calcium, a mineral your body uses to bolster the strength of your bones and teeth. A serving of langostino contains 8 percent of the iron your body needs each day.

Considerations

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Because of the high sodium content, langostino may not fit into a low-sodium diet. A 4-oz. serving contains 347 milligrams of sodium, 23.1 percent of the American Heart Association's recommended daily limit of 1,500 milligrams. You may also need to monitor your diet plan for cholesterol – a serving of langostino has 100 mg. A heart-healthy diet should not include more than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.