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An assortment of shellfish rests on crushed ice, with ridged and smooth shells in muted cream, gray, and brown alongside curved, segmented crustaceans with hard shells and visible claws.
●Low GI
💪High Protein

Shellfish Calories

High in protein, vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

99kcal

GI

5low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

260mg

FIBER · 100 G

0g

Quick answer

1 serving (medium) of Shellfish (120 g) has 119 calories. That works out to 99 calories per 100 g. It contains 3.6 g of carbs, 24 g of protein, 1.8 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 13.2 µg of B12 covers 550% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 5 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Shellfish Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 120 g

119

KCAL / 120G

Carbs

3.6g

· 1% DV

Protein

24g

· 48% DV

Fat

1.8g

· 2% DV

Fiber

0g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 11% · Protein 76% · Fat 13%

Shellfish nutrition facts table · 1 serving (medium) (120 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories119 kcal
Total fat1.8 g2%
Saturated fat0.36 g2%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium336 mg15%
Total carbohydrate3.6 g1%
Fiber0 g0%
Protein24 g48%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Serving of Shellfish?

ServingAmountCalories
1 serving (medium)120 g119 kcal
1 piece (small)15 g15 kcal
1 ounce (whole)28 g28 kcal
3 piece (medium)45 g45 kcal
6 piece (large)90 g89 kcal
100 g100 g99 kcal
1 cup (whole)140 g139 kcal
1 serving (large)180 g178 kcal
250 g250 g248 kcal

Calculated from 99 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shellfish

What foods count as shellfish?

Shellfish includes both crustaceans and shell-bearing mollusks. Shrimp, crab, and lobster are crustaceans; clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops are mollusks. Despite the name, not every shellfish has a hard outer shell.

What are the symptoms of a shellfish allergy?

A shellfish allergy can cause hives, itching, stomach symptoms, swelling, or breathing problems after eating shellfish. Trouble breathing is an emergency; seek urgent care, and ask a doctor about any suspected allergic reaction.

Is shellfish the same as fish?

No, shellfish and fish are different groups of seafood. Shrimp and crab are crustaceans, while clams and mussels are mollusks; fish are vertebrates. Someone who reacts to one may not react to the other.

How can you tell if shellfish is fresh?

Fresh shellfish should smell clean and briny, not sour or ammonia-like. Live mussels and clams should have closed shells or close when tapped; discard any with cracked shells or ones that stay open.

How do you cook shellfish safely?

Cook shellfish thoroughly until shrimp turn opaque and shell-bearing mollusks open. Discard mussels or clams that remain closed after cooking, and avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw shellfish and its juices away from ready-to-eat food.

Can shellfish be frozen?

Yes, shellfish can be frozen, preferably while fresh and in an airtight, freezer-safe package. Thaw it in the refrigerator rather than on the counter, and cook thawed shellfish promptly; quality may change after freezing.

How long does cooked shellfish last in the fridge?

Cooked shellfish keeps best in a covered container in the refrigerator and should be eaten promptly. If it has sat out for a long time, smells off, or was stored warm, discard it rather than tasting it.

Can you eat shellfish raw?

Raw shellfish can carry bacteria and viruses, so cooking is the safer choice. Lemon juice, hot sauce, or alcohol does not reliably make raw shellfish safe; people at higher risk of severe illness should avoid it.

Is shellfish high in mercury?

Most commonly eaten shellfish, such as shrimp, clams, and oysters, are generally low in mercury compared with large predatory fish. Mercury levels vary by species and source, so follow local seafood advisories when available.

Can you eat shellfish during pregnancy?

Yes, pregnant people can generally eat shellfish that has been cooked thoroughly, but should avoid raw or undercooked shellfish. If you have a pregnancy complication or specific dietary advice, check with your clinician.

Shellfish Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

13.2µg · 550% DV

B3

2.88mg · 18% DV

Biotin

4.8µg · 16% DV

B5

0.6mg · 12% DV

Minerals

Selenium

47µg · 85% DV

Phosphorus

276mg · 39% DV

Copper

0.3mg · 33% DV

Iodine

42µg · 28% DV

Sodium

336mg · 15% DV

Potassium ⭐

312mg · 9% DV

Shellfish Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

5
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0.2
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Shellfish

To burn the 119 calories in 1 serving (medium) (120 g):

🚶

29min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

12min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

16min

Cycling

🏊

14min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Shellfish?

Shellfish is a broad group of edible aquatic animals, including mussels, oysters and clams, as well as shrimp, crab and lobster. They feature in coastal cooking around the world and are enjoyed in many forms, from simply steamed mussels to grilled prawns or crab dishes.

Their flavour ranges from gently sweet and briny to more delicate, while the texture can be tender or pleasantly firm. Lemon, garlic, herbs and butter or olive oil are familiar accompaniments; serve them as a starter, in pasta, or alongside bread and salad. Shellfish is protein-rich, with 20 g of protein per 100 g in the listed nutrition profile. For a lighter meal, choose steaming or grilling over frying and pair it with vegetables.

How Nutritious Is Shellfish?

Nutrient density

Very high

82/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

High

60/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Shellfish Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Shellfish Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Shellfish Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Shellfish Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.36g

MONOUNSATURATED

0.24g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.48g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 0.2:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

Compare Shellfish

🦐vs🐟
Shellfish vs Salmon Fillet107 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🦐vs🐟
Shellfish vs Canned Tuna17 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🦐vs🐟
Shellfish vs Fish11 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🦐vs🐟
Shellfish vs Tuna33 kcal fewer per 100 g
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Foods Similar to Shellfish

🐟

Salmon Fillet

206 kcal

🐟

Canned Tuna

116 kcal

🐟

Fish

110 kcal

🐟

Tuna

132 kcal

🐟

Baked Sea Bass

110 kcal

🐟

Grilled Sea Bass

124 kcal

🐟

Whiting

90 kcal

🦪

Stuffed Mussels

175 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.