This Triple-Omega Crispy Shrimp recipe delivers a boatload of healthy omega-3 fats to your family’s diet, and it’s easy to make any night of the week.
The reason I call this triple-omega shrimp is because I use three omega-3 ingredients: shrimp, ground flaxseed, and expeller pressed canola oil.
Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) ward off inflammation, lower heart disease risk, boost immune function, keep our brains healthy and strong, are essential for fetal brain and eye development, are critical for pregnant women, lessen symptoms of arthritis … I could go on and on. Seafood, especially fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as omega-3 eggs contain the long-chain EPA and DHA omega-3s while vegetarian sources known as ALA, which are considerably less potent yet still important, include flaxseeds, chia seeds, canola oil, and walnuts.
As for omega-3 supplements, the amount you may decide to take depends on your diet as well as your age and health status. And the quality is super important since not all brands are created equal. A recent review of 30 top-selling fish oil supplements sheds light on which brands are the best of the bunch, so you may want to check that out.
Eating fried shrimp defeats the purpose of eating shrimp for good health. For my fried shrimp makeover, I created a breading with Panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and ground flaxseed. I cooked the shrimp in a skillet with a moderate amount of butter and expeller pressed canola oil.
- Serves: 5
- Serving size: 4 shrimp pieces
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- 1 pound jumbo raw shrimp (16 - 20 count), shelled and deveined
- 1 cup Panko (Japanese style) bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon expeller pressed canola oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 lemon cut into wedges, optional
- Place the shrimp on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, cut almost through the curved back side of the shrimp. Open flat, and then gently pound each shrimp with a mallet or rolling pin to flatten. Set aside.
- Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and ground flaxseed in a shallow bowl. Place the egg in a separate bowl. Dip each shrimp in the egg, then coat evenly with the bread crumb mixture. Arrange on a plate.
- Heat the oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until crispy and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. You may need to cook the shrimp in two batches depending on the size of your skillet.
- Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce, as desired.
Thank you for your great podcast! I would like to enter the giveaway. My question is: for kids with seafood allergies is there any risk associated with taking an omega-3 supplement, or would any contaminants be filtered out? I would like to win this giveaway b/c I routinely supplemented during pregnancy, lactation and then directly to my toddler when he was little, and I swear it helped make him the 5 yo genius he is. I have continued to give him and my 2 yo gummy omega 3s that I get at the grocery or Trader Joe’s but as your guest pointed out, these are so high in sugar and low in omega 3, that i recently realized it is not worth the money. I am glad to find something appropriate for kids!
Thanks for your question, Elizabeth! Taken directly from Nordic Naturals FAQs: “In theory, fish proteins should be effectively removed in processing. However, it is certainly possible for fish oils to have small traces of protein.” I would think that if the allergy is shellfish, however (as opposed to fish), then they should be fine with a good quality brand.
And I bet your 2 YO will love the Nordic Omega-3 Fishies (300 mg DHA + EPA per fish!), and turn out just like his genius big bro. 🙂 Shoot me an email ([email protected]) if you’d like a sample or would like to order (15% off + free shipping)!
Hey Melanie…..I’m now taking your product and supplementing with foods. Feeling great. My question is for those super sensitive spouses who hate fish and won’t take the fish oil (despite it being tasteless) because they’ve heard that the taste comes back up. Any tricks or tips to sneak more omega 3s in their life?? Also, thanks for the contest entry opportunity.
Very informative podcast! I would love to win this giveaway as I have 2 boys, my husband, and myself who are all in need of omega-3 supplementation! Thank you for the opportunity!
I guess my most pressing questions is what is the safe limit on Omega supplements for my girls ages 6 and 7?
Also what is the same limit for myself?
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/katiemur80/status/429957654723579904
I follow you on Twitter @katiemur80.
I follow on Pinterest.
Hi Katie, while I’m not aware of, or have found, an “official” tolerable upper limit (TUL) for omega-3s, my OPINION would likely be 3 g/day for you (unless suggested by your doctor to take more such as in the case of high triglycerides, concussion syndrome, etc.). As for your girls, I’d suggest staying near the mg per pound for that age suggested in the podcast (15 mg/lb of EPA + DHA), unless suggested by their pediatrician due to a need other than daily maintenance. Just as important is what kind you & the girls are taking, to ensure you’re getting a pure product. Good quality fish oil supplements generally have a good safety profile. Hope that helps!
I would love to win the giveaway because my daughter LOVES Nordic Naturals and so do I! They taste so much better than other brands. Also, Melanie is great at advising which products are best for you.
I would love to win this for my whole family. I have 2 toddlers and am pregnant. I only supplemented with Dha for part of my pregnancy and really want to keep up with it while nursing and also start my husband on it for heart health. My most pressing question is what trimester is the omega 3 supplement most important if I can only afford it for part of the time. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I follow you on Pinterest too!
Anna, while DHA is important before, during & after pregnancy, the DHA content of the baby’s developing brain increases 3–5x during last
trimester, so aim to increase your intake then!
Followed you on Pinterest, twitter and facebook! I LOVE your podcast. I listen to every episode and always learn so much! My pressing question is about what to give to my 8 year old daughter. After listening to your podcast I would guess the pina colada tasting fish oil but, would love your suggestion. And, what about omega-3s in tuna fish. My daughter actually loves tuna fish so one of her school lunches is canned tuna fish tossed with white beans, olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and capers. Would that count as one of her fish servings for the week? We’re a big salmon family, wild caught salmon, so gratefully that’s one of our weekly dinners. Lastly, I’m also low in vitamin D so the product you were taking sounds like it would work great for me. Thanks and I’m going to order some products after I get your recommendation for my daughter. – Amelia
I followed you on Pinterest.
I would love to win the give away. I was very diligent to take DHA when pregnant and give them to my son as a newborn. Now that my mom has been diagnosed with breast cancer, I am reminded how important anti inflamitories are to our overall health.
Hi Jen! There’s always the plant sources, but ideally, getting EPA/DHA in would be even better. A marine algae source could be an option, but there is also a new product called Omega Boost. It tastes like mango, and is more of a smoothie consistency, and designed for those just like you described (& great for kids & those who can’t swallow pills). 1 tsp has 270 mg EPA & 165 mg DHA! Here’s the link for more info; let me know if you’d like to give it a try: http://goo.gl/pZevHX
Correction: when mentioning the 2012 Journal of Nutrition study, I incorrectly stated that DHA from marine algae was shown to decrease triglycerides & “good” HDL cholesterol, while increasing “bad” LDL cholesterol. It does, however, increase “good” HDL cholesterol. I apologize for any confusion that caused!
(not sure if my post was submitted correctly so sending again)
I loved your podcast and want to infuse more omega 3s into my family’s diet. Something palatable for my 8 year old daughter, hubby and myself. For me I prefer liquids because I have difficulty swallowing pills. I also am low in vitamin D and am going through perimenopause. I’ve heard that evening primrose, borage, etc oils can help balance hormones. I know you were speaking to brain health during your podcast but I’m curious about how your products can help with hormones. So, I’d love to win this giveaway because I believe your products can great benefit me and my family!! I’ve followed your fb page and your twitter account. oh. my other question was about omega 3s in canned tuna fish. my daughter loves this tuna fish, white bean, olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and caper salad I put in her school lunch. can you comment on the omega-3s in canned tuna fish?? Thank you!! Amelia
I am so glad that I stumbled across your podcast today. I have learned so much about Omegas listening to it, and I would be excited to win.
Thanks!
We are glad you found our podcast as well!
Hi Amelia! I have lots of info/links for you–would you be able to email me at [email protected] or if it’s OK, I can email you at the email address from the website you provided? (Oh, and that’s pretty great that your daughter love that tuna fish salad–sounds like something from a restaurant!)
I been using Omega 3 for so long. Would love to get the giveaway as the token of appreciation for been a loyal Nordic Natural customer.
My question is, are there issues with omega 3 supplements and mercury consumption?
Leah, not with good quality supplements. Just be sure the brand you choose is molecularly distilled to removed mercury, PCBs & other toxins, and is 3rd party tested for purity.
My question is that my husband needs extra DHA to increase his HDL, he already takes 2 pills a day, his doc just recommended 4 a day. Is there another option? It’s getting expensive!
I’m following on Facebook and Pinterest!
I haven’t had success with my older daughter and fish oil supplements. Both girls disliked the Nordic Naturals (I know, they’re strange–everyone likes them!), and while the little one likes Barlean’s, the older one can’t handle it. I suspect it’s a texture issue?
Is there another option for fish oils for kids that provides enough potency but also uses small fish based on concerns of mercury?
Hi Amy, if it’s DHA that his doc is recommending, I would suggest a high-DHA supplement so that most of the $ per mg is focused on that. I do carry a DHA concentrated gel cap–why don’t you email me at [email protected], and tell me how much is in what he’s taking now, and we can figure out it if it would be a cost-effective change.
Hi again, Amy–if it’s more of omega-3s in general (EPA + DHA) that his doc wants him to take, a liquid may also be a more cost effective option. They’re often very concentrated. Again, just let me know how much of each he’s getting in his present supplement, and I’ll compare to see if it’s a better option.
Hi Amy K., first, as with new foods, if it’s something you really them to take, keep on trying. If she’s not a fan of biting into the small gel caps, I would suggest seeing if she’s ready to swallow small gel caps OR the Fishies (the 300 mg gummies). The new smoothie-like Omega Boost may work, but it may be similar to the Barleans you’ve already tried. A last option may be getting one of the liquids, and since they’re concentrated, “hiding” a small amount in foods, smoothies, etc.
Hi! Thanks for answering my question on the podcast this week about the Prostate cancer risk! I feel better now about feeding my husband and 3 boys fish oil supplements!
Amy from North Pole, (really!) Alaska!
How do you know that the Omega 3 in these supplements is not from fish that have high mercury levels?
Please enter me into the contest. Are the omega-3 chewables as effective as the ones you swallow?
I’m also a follower on pinterest.
I’m a follower in twitter
I don’t really have a question about Omega 3’s. I just know that my family has a history of heart disease on both sides and it frightens me. So, I should be taking a supplement, but never know what a good one would be. Some have nothing in them, I have heard. All my close family members have died of heart related illness, my mom had congestive heart failure as well as her brothers. My dad had a heart attack. Will taking a supplement help with this issue at all?
Hi Renee, good fish oil companies will have the type of fish listed in the ingredients. So look for fish oil from small species such as sardines & anchovies.
Hi Kelley–as long as they contain a comparative amount of EPA & DHA (should be listed on the label), then yes. Some of the chewables I mention in the podcast ARE the oil-filled gel caps, but are flavored & small enough that they’re able to be chewed. Technically, any fish oil gel cap is chewable (but you’d want to make sure you were taking a quality, fresh brand so it wasn’t fishy).
Would supplementing a child with omega 3’s help with attention in the classroom? My child does not have ADD/ADHD, but often gets distracted by little things. I have heard fish oils can help with attention in ADD students but wondered if this were true and how much a 10 yr old boy should receive.
Hi Nancy, yes, omega-3s (EPA especially) would be helpful. And check out the podcast since we talk about how to choose a good fish oil supplement. Hope you Dad gets better soon!
My doctor recommends that I take an Omega-3 supplement, and I would love to try the Nordic Naturals.
Would love to try Nordic Naturals.
I would like to win this giveaway for my whole family. I have a 4 and 7 year old and my question is, can this be taken safely at their ages?
I would like to win the Omega 3 because I have very dry eyes & I’ve heard taking these would help. Thanks!
I am certainly one who encourages fish and/or supplementation for pregnant moms in particular, yet disheartned to see yet another research review discrediting the benefits. Does Melanie have anything to say to this recent article?
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-08/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-health-omega3bre9170za-20130208_1_fish-oil-intake-dha-supplementation-acids
Thank you!
Perhaps in part as this study focused on the latter half of pregnancy rather than the early days of conception? And of course much like any study with people, there are countless unmeasured factors which may have influenced the data. So curious! Thanks 🙂
I have Hashimotos and I’ve read the Omegas are very helpful in reducing my inflammatory response and can help my autoimmune response.
I need all the brain support I can get!
I’ve never taken Omega 3 supplements but would like to start! Would love to win! I’ve also followed you on pinterest. Thanks!
My brother recently learned he has crazy high cholesterol. I’ve already recommended Nordic Naturals supplements to him. I would like to win so he can see for himself how helpful they are.
Miss C, yes, research has been very promising when it comes to that effect in children, especially when combining omega-3s with GLA (more info in the podcast). Feel free to email me at [email protected] & I can give you more specifics!
Meshell, yes, it’s absolutely safe at those ages. Just be sure to pick a high quality brand.
Jessica, good points you made. I’d also question this: my understanding is that, much like other nutrients like iron & calcium, the baby is going to get the DHA it needs from the mother, regardless of whether the mother supplements or not. So it would need to come from her diet and if not, her blood & nervous system (brain). So my thought is I wonder how the MOTHER does, since her stores would now be so low. Higher incidence or postpartum depression, perhaps? Shortened gestation? Just a bad case of “mom brain”? The supplementation/good diet is both for the baby AND the mom!
the hardest thing for me is taking the supplements without getting nauseous. I used to take them before bed so if I burped fish I was sleeping and it was no big deal, but now I can’t do even that. I have tried with food, without, before bed,etc.
My husband and I have been eating chia seeds to increase our consumption of Omega-3. What do you think of chia seeds? Also, do you think children need Omega-3 supplements? I have one child who is a picky eater, so I know he does. But what about kids who eat a healthy diet. Is it possible to get to much Omega-3 and if so, does the body excrete any extra. Thanks so much!!
We love nortic natural’s at our house! Please ebter us in the drawing.
What is the difference in omega 3’s in fish oil and flax seed oil? Is there one? BTW my teenaged daughter’s eye Dr. put her on flax seed oil supplements to help her combat getting styes on her eyelids. (So far it’s worked for 2 plus years!) I don’t know if fish oil has the same effect or not.
Great podcast! Thank you for clearing up some of the confusion surrounding Omega-3 supplements. I now know the huge benefits of Omega-3, and know what type of supplements to buy — they are not all created equal!
Thank you for the great podcast topic! I really enjoyed listening to it today. I have been trying to add Omega-3s to my family’s diet for a while, but have a difficult time with my daughter in particular. We buy Nordic Naturals, but she doesn’t care for the strawberry or lemon flavors. She wants to eat a “gummy”, but at 8 years old, I’m not sure they provide enough of what she needs. (They seem geared toward preschool age). From what you mention in the podcast about suggested doses, I think she would need at least 1 gram/day. Can you suggest a N.N. product that might work for us?
Thank you!
I follow on Pinterest.
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Jessica W., sounds like you may need to switch brands. In the podcast, we chat a lot about how to choose a good supplement, or you can check out this link. You should NOT taste fish or have fishy burps. (And if you ARE on a quality brand, it may be old.) Happy to send you a few samples of Nordic Naturals to try, if you’d like! Just email me at [email protected]. http://www.freshstartnutrition.com/fishoil/
Hi Martha–great questions! We discuss them all in the podcast when you get a chance to listen. In short, chia seeds are a great source of ALA, but not EPA/DHA (the omega-3s from fish), and ideally, all of them would be obtained through diet/supplements. And a YES for kids, especially if they don’t get their 2 servings of fish per week + daily plant sources (more details in podcast). We also discuss safety. Let me know if you’d like some samples for your kiddos! ([email protected])
Amelia, I got your latest email this morning–so sorry that you didn’t get my original reply last week! I forwarded it to you this morning–maybe check your ‘spam’ folder & let me know if you did/did not get it this time. Thanks!!
Nicole F., the main difference is the TYPE of omega-3s in each. Fish oil contains DHA & EPA, while flax seed oil contains ALA (more on each of these in the podcast). Both are important in the diet/supplements, since ALA is not converted well to DHA/EPA in the body. I’m assuming your daughter’s doctor put her on flax seed oil supplements b/c of omega-3s themselves (since there’s a lot of research, especially with dry eye, connecting eye health with omega-3s). I imagine fish oil would have the same effect, while also providing EPA/DHA (but then still make sure she gets some ALA in her diet, such as through flax seed), but if it’s working, then there’s something to be said for that too!
Hi Lisa–glad you enjoyed the podcast! And happy to hear you’re already an NN fan. I’d love to be your new provider. 🙂
As for your 8 YO daughter…you mention she doesn’t like the flavors. Is it the liquid or gel caps she’s tried? Can she swallow pills yet?
The gummy I was referring to isn’t the typical gummy (they have those too!). Each “fishie” contains 300 mg, so while it’s not as much as you’re looking for, it’s still a good amount for a gummy-like supplement. Happy to send you a sample!
The other option that comes to mind is the new Omega Boost (the mango flavor, smoothie-like product). That contains 435 mg per teaspoon, and she could always take more. (Unfortunately, there are not samples available of this or any other liquid product.)
Email me at [email protected], if you’d like. That may be an easier way to pinpoint what’s best for her!
I’ve heard good things about Nordic Naturals and I’d love to try the supplement.
How much Omega 3’s should a women in her thirties be getting?
Kim, aim for a minimum of 500 mg EPA + DHA per day from fish or supplements, plus 1000 mg of ALA from plant sources (more on that in the podcast). If you have a specific need, such as pregnancy (TTC or postpartum, too), heart health, mental health, skin health, etc., then bump that to 1000 mg EPA + DHA from fish or supplements.
Is there any need to avoid Omega 3s if inflammation is an issue?
Is there any need to avoid Omega 3s if inflammation is an issue?
Hi Stephanie, while I’m not sure which type of inflammation you’re referring to, omega-3s are generally anti-inflammatory, so consider asking your doctor if they’d be a good option for you!
Hello, what are the main benefits to taking omega-3’s?
I would love the giveaway! We are a family of 6 and after listening to your podcast I can see how Fish Oil would help my families overall health. My partner has a mental illness and my kids are very active with sports. Thanks for bringing awareness to this important subject! Michelle
Hi Michelle–while the giveaway has come to an end, please feel free to email me at [email protected]–I’d love to help you figure out what’s best for your family!
I would love to enter the givaway. I have been giving my son DHA and omega 3/6 supplements since he was 2 yrs old. My nephew recently came to live with us, and he has ADHD as well as mild Autism. Do you think that he would benefit from Omega supplements?
I’m curious about omega 3 supplements. I am 36 weeks pregnant and have been taking a prenatal with 200mg of DHA. After listening to the podcast, I purchased another supplement for 100mg, but I’m confused about fish oil vs. plant-based. Is fish oil a concern for pregnant women? (I bought the plant-based to be safe…?)
Congratulations, Christine! No, fish oil is not a concern, as long as you choose a high-quality brand that has been 3rd party tested for purity (to ensure all contaminants have been removed, usually by molecular distillation). And keep taking it after birth, especially if breast feeding. All the best to you & your baby in a few weeks!
As some of you noticed (thanks for the feedback!), then Nordic Naturals website link that we provided to get 15% off + free shipping on every order has been experiencing some glitches. So sorry for the inconvenience! I have some emails into the tech dept., and they’re working on it. I’ll post back when it’s up & running again. Thanks for your interest & patience!
For those of you who have tried to order online, Nordic Naturals (& me!) send apologies. Turns out, they plan to do a complete overhaul of their website in July.
Until then, you can either order directly from me ([email protected]) OR you may have luck with the link again OR they’ve given me a contact to call, and she’ll make sure you still get the 15% off + free shipping (mention my Pracitioner ID: 89980). AND to make up for the inconvenience, they’ll even toss in a free small bottle of product (just please email me first at [email protected] so I can give them a heads-up that you were one of the customers who encountered a snag online). Here is the info:
Kathy Yarborough
[email protected]
800-662-2544 ext 191
Give her Practitioner ID: 89980
Thank you again, and I’m sorry for the bad timing of the glitch!
I so appreciate this information. My daughter has ADD and I have read the importance of this in her diet.
I saw this on the mental health channel at my doctor’s office, so had to go digging for it. I won’t use canola oil because of GMO concerns, but otherwise I can’t wait to try this recipe.
You can certainly use olive oil or any other favorite oil in this recipe. Glad you enjoyed the video … and hope you love the recipe 🙂