07.03.17

Squid is an affordable and highly valuable food product. They grow rapidly due to their short life cycle, are widespread in the oceans and form dense accumulations during their life, therefore, they can be caught with high efficiency.

And there are so many nutrients and biologically active substances in them that they fall into the category of valuable game animals.

If we compare this food with pond fish, then the cephalopod contains more protein and less fat, and its meat is less nutritious.

In this article, we will talk about the benefits and dangers of squid in human nutrition, nutritional value, useful properties of meat for the body of men, women and children, during pregnancy, as well as contraindications.

How to Pick a Good Product and Check Quality

It is recommended to purchase fresh frozen or chilled shellfish, which go on sale in the form of carcasses, rings or fillets, into which giant cephalopods are cut, which are unlikely to be fully realized.

When choosing, you should focus on the following indicators:

• if the product is fresh frozen, then the carcasses should not be frozen or covered with a layer of frost, which indicates that they have been frozen and thawed more than once, and they should not have a thick layer of ice glaze;
• carcass meat it can be from white to pinkish-purple in color, if this is not the case - the shellfish is old and its meat will be tough, and a yellow tint can indicate repeated freezing and thawing;
• the surface must be intact, without damage;
• if frozen shellfish are sold in a package, it must be undamaged;
• small molluscs have a more pronounced taste than large ones.

To make it easier for customers to prepare, some manufacturers sell their products already peeled from the skin.

After such processing, the product loses both a part of its nutrients and a part of its taste.

The video will tell you how to choose the right squid:

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Recently, people are beginning to gravitate towards environmentally friendly products that provide healthy nutrition, to which, if preservatives are added, then only natural ones.

Squid can be safely attributed to such products that meet all consumer requirements.

Among the main advantages of this mollusk high content in the edible part, which is in short supply in territories located in the interior of the continent, far from the seas and oceans.

In these cephalopods, as in many other marine life, contains highly digestible complete proteins, some essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamins, rare trace elements and other biologically active compounds that are very valuable for the human body.

Carbohydrates are in a state associated with proteins in the form of proteoglycans and glycoproteins, and have a positive effect on the human circulatory and immune systems. It is not for nothing that in countries with a high life expectancy, products of oceanic and marine fisheries prevail in the diet.

Squid meat contains:

• protein - 16.83-19.77%;
• fats - 1-1.8%;
• carbohydrates - no more than 5%;
• moisture - about 79%;
• minerals - about 3%.

Among the useful components:

Shellfish protein is composed of the following amino acids: isoleucine - 3.81%, leucine - 7.7%, lysine - 7.84%, tryptophan - 0.81%, arginine - 4.97%, alanine - 6.54%, glycine - 4.36%, glutamic acid - 19.64%, aspartic acid - 11.66% and others.

After traditional heat treatment the content of zinc in the product decreases by 12%, copper - by 40%, manganese - 2.5 times, vitamin B1 - 2 times, vitamin B2 - 18%.

Calorie content per 100 grams and glycemic index

Depending on the cooking method - dried, boiled, canned, smoked, etc.), calories in squid can increase significantly, while the benefits and harms will remain unchanged.

The calorie content of fresh raw squid carcasses is 85.8 Kcal per 100 grams, and the glycemic index is 0.

This is how it varies depending on the cooking method calamari energy value (in Kcal):

• freshly frozen - 75;
• canned - 60;
• boiled - its calorie content is 110 kcal per 100 grams of boiled meat;
• calorie content of fried - 180;
• dried calorie content - 260 calories per 100 grams;
• smoked - calorie content 290 kcal per 100 grams;
• dried shavings - 205;
• dried squid rings - calorie content 190 kcal per 100 grams.

Useful properties and contraindications to the use of flounder will reveal.

Useful properties of meat

Eating squid has a beneficial effect on the activity of the stomach and intestines, the state of digestion is normalized due to an increase in the production of gastric juice.

Such food is well absorbed and does not cause a feeling of heaviness, there are no purine bases in it that disrupt the body's metabolism, mental performance increases, the body is cleansed of heavy metal salts, and the reproductive and excretory systems are strengthened.

The following components have a beneficial effect on the body:

Oriental healers have long known the valuable qualities of the shellfish, which they consider to be a balm for the heart. And this is not surprising, because there is not a single gram of cholesterol in its meat, but potassium is present in large quantities.

High concentration of protein and organic acids increases the endurance of athletes.

Protein has a beneficial effect on the development of muscle tissue, which is why fillets are useful for bodybuilders to build muscle mass.

What are useful for human health

The benefits of squid are due to its rich chemical composition... For people who monitor their health, regardless of gender and age, it will become an undoubted help, partly replacing pills, multivitamin complexes and dietary supplements.

For adult men and women

Are squid good for men and women? It is considered that squid meat has a positive effect on the male reproductive system.

AND copper contained in it monitors hair health and prevents the appearance of early gray hair, which will help both women and men look young longer.

With the regular inclusion of this product in the diet, men noted an increase in potency, and women more easily tolerated premenstrual syndrome and menopause.

For pregnant and nursing

What are the benefits of squid for the body of the expectant mother? Eating squid during pregnancy helps expectant mothers to replenish useful elements in the body with a whole complexthan few food products can boast.

In the diet of a pregnant woman, it is imperative to include at least one shellfish per week.

Cobalt, which is part of the composition, controls the preservation of genetically important data in cells of RNA and DNA.

After giving birth and the beginning of lactation, a young mother should give up all seafood. and include them in the diet no earlier than six months later and only after consulting a doctor.

For children

Why is squid meat, especially boiled, useful for a child? Boiled squid are welcome in the children's diet., since they are an easily digestible high-protein product, from which a growing body can receive a multicomponent composition of microelements and vitamins, especially since it contains neither cholesterol nor fat.

The brain of a growing baby is continuously active, the nervous system has not yet matured and is in the stage of formation, the bones of the skeleton are constantly growing, and the cephalopods will be exactly the support that is needed at this stage of development.

The only exceptions are children with allergies., it is better not to include seafood in their diet.

For the elderly

How are squids useful for an elderly person? From all of the above, it becomes clear that for the elderly, squid will be undeniably useful.

Potassium, iron and cobalt will positively affect the state of blood vessels and the heart, which tend to wear out with age.

In addition, the composition of the blood will improve, metabolism will normalize, and other trace elements will be better absorbed.

Potential danger and contraindications

The harm caused by shellfish to the human body is minimal... The main danger can be excessiveness and eating a substandard product that is stored and sold in inappropriate conditions.

Also squid meat can be an allergen, therefore, it should be introduced into the diet gradually. Dried and smoked options are flavored with preservatives and flavorings during the preparation process.

Dried squid in addition, they are seasoned with a large amount of salt, which is fraught with edema and increased blood pressure for the human body.

Some parts of water bodies are so polluted that the meat of animals and fish living there contains harmful compounds and can cause food poisoning, therefore do not purchase products from random distributors.

There are no separate popular diets that include squid meat in the diet. Insofar as the calorie content of the product strongly depends on the cooking method, you should think carefully about how to cook it, otherwise a dish may come out of the dietary food, which it is originally, contributing to weight gain and fluid retention in the body.

There are no contraindications for the use of these molluscs. The presence of vitamin B3 in the product will benefit diabetics, because if this vitamin is sufficient in the body, it has a positive effect on blood glucose levels.

Fillet suitable for stewing, cooking, frying, drying, smoking, it is used to prepare salads and soups.

The Chinese consider dried shellfish to be an easy everyday snack, the Japanese eat alcohol with them, the Russians -. But the purpose of squid is to be a complete food, and not an attribute to alcoholic beverages.

With it, you can cook any dish in which the recipe provides for the addition of meat or fish, and serve it for lunch or dinner.

If the carcasses are purchased raw, before preparing snacks, they should be peeled and boiled.

If you could not use the boiled product right away, you can put it in the refrigerator, but store it there for no more than a day.

If necessary, you can freeze for a period not exceeding 30 daysyou just need to keep in mind that such an action will significantly impair the taste of meat.

Cooking applications

The squid carcass and its tentacles peeled from the skin are used for food.... Clam meat is boiled, fried, canned, dried, stewed.

Squids can be stuffed, used in a salad and as an independent snack, as part of a sandwich, roll, sandwich, fish soup.

Squid goes well with rice... In Asian and Far Eastern countries, it is combined with other seafood, and in the Mediterranean with vegetables, herbs and legumes.

Boil the product before cooking, but before that you need to remove the film... If the squids are purchased frozen, they are thawed first.

To remove the film, the carcasses are put in a bowl, poured over with boiling water and immediately drained. Then, under running cold water, the thin skin is simply removed with your fingers.

If there is, the entrails and so-called bones - long, hard seals - are removed from the carcasses.

The program "On the most important thing" will tell you how to peel squid in 30 seconds:

To make soft tender meat, boil squid for a few seconds or fry for about 3 minutes... If the heat treatment is not completed on time, then it will have to be extended to 30 minutes. By this time, the meat will be softened again, but it will significantly decrease in size.

The carcasses are dipped in boiling salted water, to which a few leaves and peas of allspice are added. After 10 seconds, remove them with a slotted spoon. This is how a delicate product is obtained, ready for further use.

Stuffed clams

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In contact with

Over the past decades, seafood, in particular squid meat, has become quite popular in our country. This is due to the fact that they can now be bought at affordable prices in almost any store. In supermarkets they are usually sold frozen or canned. So let's now figure out what the benefits and harms of squid are.

What beneficial elements are found in meat?

This product is rich in phosphorus and copper, without which the body's metabolism would be impossible, as well as iron, it is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin in the blood. Squid meat contains a lot of proteins, amino acids, essential vitamins (B, B6, C, E, PP) and microelements. In terms of its beneficial properties and qualities, seafood significantly surpasses horse meat, pork, beef, lamb and even poultry meat. Plus, squid meat contains a huge amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are known to be among the most nutrients. Thanks to all these trace elements, blood cholesterol levels are significantly reduced.

The benefits and harms of squid for the body as a whole

Those people who often eat seafood are less likely to develop multiple sclerosis. Because the substances and trace elements contained in squid meat stimulate and improve memory. It is very useful to add it to the diet of children and adolescents. Squid meat accelerates material metabolism, stimulates the intestines, and also promotes weight loss. Also, this seafood can be attributed to diuretics - it copes well with edema, removes excess fluid from the body and strengthens the genitourinary system. In addition, the iodine contained in squid has a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland, and it is on it that almost all physiological processes in the body depend. As you can see, the benefits of eating seafood are many.

But this applies only to those squids that are grown in natural and favorable conditions, away from factories that are thrown into the sea, polluting the habitat of marine inhabitants. But, alas, not all fishing companies pay attention to this. Squid that have been caught in contaminated water may contain mercury, which is known to have a detrimental effect on the nervous system. Arguing on the topic "the benefits and harms of squid", we can say with confidence that to a greater extent this product has a beneficial effect on our body. That is why it is advisable to buy products from trusted manufacturers.

In what form is it better to eat it?

Smoked and dried squid are high in calories and contain a lot of salt. In this form, they should be used as rarely as possible. But boiled ones are very useful, they can be safely included in your daily diet.

Frozen squid carcass. How to choose?

Arriving at the store, it is better to give preference to unpeeled squid, because they have not yet been steamed. Size matters too - don't go after large carcasses, choose small ones, their meat will be much softer and more tender. Look closely at the skin, it should be pink or lilac in color and without tears. Also, squid should be easily separated from each other. Several carcasses, stuck together in one lump, clearly indicate that they have already been defrosted more than once. It is better to refuse such squids, their meat will have a bitter taste, and even when defrosting, it can creep. I hope you now have a good idea of \u200b\u200bhow to choose seafood and what are all the same benefits and harms of squid.

Squids have been present on store shelves for a long time, but so far not everyone has appreciated their taste. However, those who know about the benefits of squid have long included this seafood in their weekly menu.

The benefits of squid for the body

As a rule, those who care about their weight prepare dishes from beef, chicken or turkey. Surprisingly, squid is superior in composition to all these types of meat!

Among the vitamins that are enriched in squid, one can name B1, B2, B6, B9 (folic acid), C, E and PP. Indeed, few sources of protein are also powerful vitamins for the body!

In addition to vitamins, squids are rich in micro and macro elements: iodine, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, nickel, copper and phosphorus. Combined with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are also present in squid, this composition really pushes squid to the first place in terms of nutritional value and usefulness among other products in the same range.

Scientists have found that eating squid in food can significantly improve human health. So, the list of the positive effect of squid on the body includes:

• normalization of the cardiovascular system;
• improvement of blood composition, getting rid of "bad" cholesterol;
• increasing the elasticity and strength of blood vessels;
• stroke prevention;
• development of muscle tissue;
• normalization of the digestive system;
• increased production of gastric juice;
• improving memory and brain activity;
• cleansing the body of salts and toxins;
• strengthening of the excretory and reproductive systems;
• improvement of the endocrine system.

Squid is a light and healthy product that, if cooked skillfully, can successfully complement the menu and improve health.

The benefits and harms of squid

Squid bought from a good store and not from a dubious market are not dangerous, unless you are allergic to them. You can safely eat them.

But squids bought in a dubious place can be caught in environmentally unsafe waters and provoke mercury poisoning. So that squids are beneficial, not harmful, purchase them in proven, large stores.

Calorie content and benefits of squid

A separate benefit of squid is their calorie content. There are only 100 kcal per 100 g of the product, of which 18 g are proteins, 2.2 g are fats, and 2 g are carbohydrates. Meat rich in animal protein and almost complete absence of fats and carbohydrates makes squid one of the best foods for those who are looking for their figure or working on building muscle mass.

Slimming squid

The benefits of squid for women are that they can be easily used in weight loss diets. Such food will be tasty and varied, it will help to achieve weight loss without the exhausting feeling of hunger.

Use this diet:

It is best not to diet yourself on one product for three days, as this will still lead to weight gain. It is better to devote a lot of time to losing weight, but to say goodbye to extra pounds forever. At the same time, you will develop healthy eating habits that will allow you to maintain weight after the diet. The above one fully meets these goals and can be used for as long as you like.

Seafood lovers know a lot about dishes made from creatures such as squid. The benefits and harms of their meat depend on many factors: where the squid was mined, how it was stored, how it was cooked, how much it was eaten. In general, subject to all the rules of storage and preparation, squid is an extremely useful and, moreover, a dietary product.

About squid

Squid is the same mythical "neither fish nor meat", or rather, a cephalopod mollusk that lives in almost all latitudes. The most massive accumulations are observed in the subtropical parts of the oceans and seas (Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans). The body size of the mollusk varies from 25 cm to 16 m. The weight of giants can reach 300 kg. The body of the squid looks like a torpedo with 10 tentacles. Molluscs have eyes that help them navigate in space. They also have three hearts and blue blood.

Squids are predators, and with a shortage of food they can become cannibals. They have suckers on each tentacle. With their help, they defend themselves from enemies and get their own food. Each individual has a bag of ink liquid, which the mollusk throws into space when danger approaches. Squids are one of the fastest underwater inhabitants; sailors have noticed more than once how, in pursuit of prey, the mollusk jumps high out of the water.

For food, a person uses tentacles and the carcass of a qualmar. Until recently, this shellfish was considered a delicacy, but with the development of marine fishing, the product became affordable and took root on supermarket shelves. Buying shellfish will not affect your budget, unlike other marine rarities like trout or sole. Today you can buy both individual parts and a whole carcass of a clam.

A variety of salads, soups and main courses can include squid meat. This product is popular not only among connoisseurs of shellfish, but also among athletes, as well as those who want to lose weight. Knowing the intricacies of cooking, you can pamper yourself and loved ones with dietary, but nutritious dishes.

How to prepare

Clam meat is combined with other seafood (mussels, octopus), cereals, vegetables (cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, cabbage, onion), herbs, spices and herbs, some fruits (citrus, pomegranate, apples). Squid is used to make soup (you can add octopuses), salads, shashlik, sushi. Any dish with squid meat acquires an original taste, without the smell of fish.

There are many cooking options:

• boiled,
• fried,
• smoked,
• pickled,
• grill,
• stewed,
• baked,
• dried squid.

How Do I Pick a Good Product? Squid are sold in different forms: fresh-frozen, canned, dried, boiled, peeled and unpeeled, whole and cut. The frozen squid parts should separate well from each other. If the carcasses are stuck together, then they have been re-frozen. Such meat will taste bitter, and will decay during cooking.

Advice!
Pay attention to the color of the film covering the squid carcass. It can be gray, pinkish and even purple. Polzateevo magazine advises checking the color of the carcass. Regardless of the shade of the skin, the meat underneath should always be white. If it has acquired the shade of a film, then it was defrosted several times, and the meat absorbed the color of the shell. Such a product is likely to taste bad or even spoiled.

The nutritional value

Squid meat contains a complex of micro and macro elements necessary for humans. It contains some groups of vitamins. The value of the product is due to its amino acid content. Here is a list of all the nutrients in meat:

• vitamin E,
• vitamin PP,
• vitamin C,
• b vitamins: B1, B2, B6, B9,
• cobalt,
• manganese,
• potassium,
• molybdenum,
• nickel,
• copper,
• selenium,
• zinc,
• iron,
• phosphorus,
• sodium,
• magnesium,
• calcium,
• polyunsaturated acids - lysine,.

Squid is the leader among seafood in terms of cobalt content. It is also 80% water. Shellfish meat is a source of protein. The ratio of BJU: 81% protein, with only 10% fats and 9% carbohydrates.

The average calorie content is 100 kcal per 100 g, it depends on the cooking method. Per 100 g:

• fresh meat - 98 kcal;
• boiled - 122 kcal;
• fried - 188 kcal;
• stew - 156 kcal;
• dried - 286 kcal;
• grill - 115 kcal.

Benefit

Clam meat helps maintain healthy health and, when combined with the right foods, can diversify a strict diet. Remember, beneficial properties are revealed only with proper preparation of the carcass and tentacles. These properties are:

1. The product supports the work of the heart and blood vessels due to its iron content. There is no cholesterol in meat, which means that it normalizes its content in the blood, makes blood vessels elastic. Suitable for a preventive diet against diseases of the cardiovascular system.
2. Taurine normalizes blood pressure.
3. Iodine in meat protects the thyroid gland and the endocrine system as a whole.
4. Selenium removes heavy metal salts.
5. A high percentage of protein guarantees the maintenance of muscle tone. A shellfish diet can help build muscle. In terms of protein content, squid is not inferior to fish, chicken and beef.
6. Meat has no purine bases, which means it is safe for joints and kidneys.
7. The product is well absorbed, does not clog the intestines, but, on the contrary, promotes its cleansing. Squid meat improves the secretion of gastric juice, stimulates intestinal peristalsis. Clam meat is recommended for persons with stomach diseases due to the content of molybdenum and B vitamins.
8. For the liver, shellfish is useful for polyunsaturated fats. Arginine helps to detoxify the organ, and also regulates hormonal levels, enhances male fertility, and stimulates the pituitary gland.
9. The amino acid lysine strengthens the immune system, accelerates collagen synthesis, and reduces the risk of diabetes.
10. Potassium relieves puffiness.
11. Squid meat has a diuretic effect. Toxins are excreted from the body, the genitourinary system is strengthened.
12. Provides support to the nervous system, helps to fight stress.
13. The product affects the ability to memorize new information: it stimulates memory.
14. Vitamin E improves the condition of the skin, nails, hair, which is especially important for women. The substance triggers cell regeneration, helps the skin to cleanse itself.
15. Meat is low in calories (it is 80% water), but very nutritious.

Let's summarize. The benefits of squid for the body include the following effects:

• fortifying,
• anti-sclerotic,
• cleaning,
• support of the CVS, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine and genitourinary systems.

Harm

Despite the obvious benefits, the product has a number of contraindications. We advise you to read them carefully.

The benefits and harms of squid in nutrition depend on the method of preparation. The safest is cooking. This meat is the lowest in calories.

How to cook squid properly:

1. Bring 2 L of water to a boil.
2. Add salt, peppercorns and optional. Let the spiced water simmer for 4-5 minutes.
3. Immerse defrosted and peeled meat in boiling water one piece at a time. Count to 10 in your mind and pull it out.

Pickled squid. If you trust the supplier, you can cook the meat without cooking. This will save more nutrients. To do this, the fillets are kept in a marinade of wine vinegar and citrus juice.

Advice:
To skin the carcass, pour boiling water over it.

Clam fillets can be stewed in wine. You will need:

• olive oil,
• onion garlic,
• favorite spices.

Finely chopped onion and garlic are fried in a frying pan, then squid chopped into rings is added. White wine is poured into the mixture in a thin stream, then spices are added. The dish is stewed for 20 minutes. The last to be added are peeled tomatoes. Everything is stewed together for another 10 minutes. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

Good luck, and bon appetit!

Squids are cephalopods that live in the seas. The beneficial properties of squid are not lost with proper processing of the product. Shellfish are classified as seafood rich in vitamins and minerals. The benefits and harms of squid have been studied by nutritionists and are taken into account when developing nutritional programs and therapeutic diets.

Benefit

Squid meat is a source of easily digestible protein. Is squid good for you? The value of this seafood for the human body lies in the increased content of macro- and microelements:

• cobalt;
• copper;
• phosphorus.

The consumption of 100 g of squid covers the daily norm of iodine by 2 times, cobalt by 9.5 times. A sufficient amount of these elements ensures the well-coordinated work of the thyroid gland. It should be noted that squid is a leading product in terms of cobalt content. Cobalt has the following properties:

• normalizes iodine metabolism;
• promotes increased activity of blood cells - leukocytes, which increases the body's resistance to infections;
• stimulates the nervous system;
• participates in the synthesis of vitamins of group B, C;
• activates enzymes;
• ensures the full functioning of the pancreas;
• regulates the processes of hematopoiesis.

Copper is best absorbed from foods that contain zinc. Squid contains both elements, which adds value to the meat. Zinc increases the absorption of copper, contributes to the biological activity of the components.

100 g of squid contains 1/3 of the daily requirement of phosphorus. The element is responsible for the course of biochemical reactions in cells, participates in the processes:

• growth of bone and muscle tissue;
• production of energy resources;
• maintains normal blood composition.

The beneficial properties of squid for human health are explained by its rich chemical composition.

1. Iron. The component provides oxygen transport to the tissues. Iron deficiency leads to anemia.
2. Potassium. A sufficient amount of the element normalizes the work of the heart and blood vessels, prevents joint diseases.
3. Magnesium. The element is responsible for the functioning of the nervous system, helps to resist stressful situations.
4. Calcium and fluoride keep bones and teeth healthy.
5. Sulfur keeps the skin clean.

Squid has a high content of B vitamins, niacin (vitamin PP). These substances have beneficial properties:

• improve blood circulation;
• control the consistency of blood (prevents excessive thickness).

Nicotinic acid removes toxins and heavy metal salts from the body.

For women

The shellfish contains essential fatty amino acids: Amega-3 and Amega-6. These substances are important for women because are responsible for the process of cell renewal, maintain health and beauty. Useful properties of squid for the female body:

• improve the condition of the skin, hair, nails;
• prevention of breast cancer, neoplasms in the reproductive system;
• maintain hormonal balance;
• regulate the menstrual cycle.

For men

Eating seafood has a beneficial effect on men's health. Valuable properties of squid for men:

• increase the level of testosterone in the blood;
• improvement of the genitourinary system;
• increase sexual activity.

Regular consumption of shellfish can help build muscle mass. For this property, squids are loved by athletes.

For children

The benefits of shellfish meat in the children's diet:

• stimulates growth;
• strengthens bone and muscle tissue;
• supports the endocrine system;
• strengthens the immune system.

Squid contain unique amino acids, lysine and arginine, which are essential for the assimilation of protein from food. Insufficient synthesis of these substances weakens the body, since vitamins supplied with food cannot be fully absorbed. As a result, the child becomes susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. Squids saturate the child's body with fatty acids, which has a positive effect on the indicators:

• concentration of attention;
• memory;
• appetite;
• absorption of calcium;
• enzyme exchange.

Harm

Squid, like any of the marine life, refers to foods with a high level of allergenicity. If a person has a tendency to allergic reactions, it is necessary to introduce squid into the diet in small quantities. This is especially true for children and pregnant women.

Dried and smoked squids are harmful to the body. manufacturers add a lot of salt, preservatives, flavor enhancers to them. Regular use of seafood in this form leads to a violation of the water-salt balance. Such a failure causes the deposition of salts in the kidneys, gallbladder and a number of related diseases.

Squids caught in water contaminated with radiation and harmful impurities pose a potential hazard.

Diet properties

The low nutritional value of the product makes it suitable for people who want to lose weight and as a supplement to a therapeutic diet. Squid meat is easy to digest, does not cause heaviness in the stomach. The product is 70% protein. There are very few fats in it and these fats are represented by saturated acids, which play an important role in metabolic reactions and the assimilation of chemical elements.

Application in dietary nutrition

Adherents of a healthy lifestyle must include boiled squid in their diet. Overweight people and athletes looking to gain muscle mass use this type of meat as an ingredient in a special diet. The benefits of seafood for weight loss:

• enhances the production of gastric juice;
• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• removes harmful substances from the body;
• reduces the level of bad cholesterol;
• saturates cells with vitamins and minerals;
• accelerates metabolic processes.

In the diet, squid is added to salads or boiled. Smoked and dried seafood is high in calories, so this type of meat processing is not suitable for losing weight.

A special diet has been developed for seafood lovers. In addition to squid, a special diet includes:

• non-starchy vegetables;
• fruit;
• fish;
• dairy products;
• hard cheese;
• crabs, mussels, oysters;
• seaweed;
• olive oil.

From drinks preference is given:

• clean water;
• green tea without sugar;
• apple juice.

The meat of animals and birds is replaced with fish, crabs, squid. The diet is maintained for 21 days.

Healing properties

Squid is included in the therapeutic diet after undergoing operations. The use of the product helps to improve well-being, strengthens the body and saturates with useful elements. Medicinal properties of squid meat:

• saturation with iodine and cobalt in diseases of the endocrine system;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels in atherosclerosis;
• diuretic effect;
• dilates blood vessels with hypertension;
• relieves pain in joints, muscles;
• stabilizes blood composition;
• normalizes heart function;
• improves the outflow of bile in cholestasis;
• helps to cope with nervous overload during times of stress;
• increases libido in case of sexual problems;
• taurine removes bad cholesterol.

A therapeutic diet can be prescribed to stabilize the patient's condition or as an element of complex therapy.

Calorie content

The number of calories in squid depends on the cooking option.

Contraindications

The absolute contraindications include individual intolerance to seafood.

Relative contraindications:

• children under 3 years of age (especially in children with food allergies);
• diseases of the thyroid gland, characterized by excessive synthesis of iodine.

During pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy, a woman's need for nutrients increases. Squid contains important elements that are often lacking when carrying a baby:

• magnesium;
• cobalt;
• b vitamins.

Cobalt in meat is involved in DNA and RNA cell production reactions. The work of the thyroid gland in the expectant mother is increased by 30-40%. To fully produce thyroid hormones, the body needs food rich in iodine. This element is responsible for the correct formation of the organs and systems of the fetus. For a pregnant woman, the use of squid will be an excellent prevention of thyroid diseases, which are often associated with a lack of iodine and cobalt.

Adequate amounts of magnesium prevent:

• miscarriage;
• premature birth;
• birth defects in a child.

Magnesium stabilizes the nervous background, protects the expectant mother from overvoltage and mood swings.

Squid can be consumed throughout pregnancy. During this period, it is undesirable to eat sea fish, because it absorbs mercury compounds that are harmful to the fetus. Squids do not absorb toxic substances, so it is rational to replace sea fish with this type of mollusk.

When breastfeeding, the shellfish is introduced into the diet when the child is 8 months old. Since seafood is highly allergenic, it can cause anxiety, colic, and skin rashes in an infant. The product is introduced into the diet carefully, observing the child's reaction. If there are no consequences, the lactating woman safely includes squid in her diet.

The nutritional value

Chemical composition:

How to use

Squid has juicy and tender meat, provided it is cooked correctly. Before eating, the shellfish is cleaned from the outer shell. To do this, prepare two containers of water. Hot water is poured into one container. The temperature should be 80-90 degrees. The second container is filled with cold water. To facilitate cleaning, the carcass is dipped first in hot, then in cold water.

The top layer of the mollusk, after the contrast of temperatures, turns into pink flakes, which can be easily removed. Then the remnants of the viscera and cartilage are removed.

Squids retain their beneficial and flavoring properties with a short heat treatment. The chopped squid is dipped in boiling water for 2 minutes and removed from the stove. The product is kept in cooling water for 15 minutes and served.

Fry the clam rings for no more than 5 minutes after cooking. Long-term heat treatment distorts the taste of the product: the meat becomes tough and difficult to chew.

Cooking options with shellfish:

• salads with the addition of a product;
• fried rings;
• pickled rings with sauce;
• stewed squid with sour cream and garlic;
• stuffed squid;
• grilled kebab.

Storage

The product should not be stored open on the refrigerator shelf. Squid meat absorbs odors, quickly hardens and airs. It is allowed to store the cut carcass in a closed container for 2-3 hours. The purchased squid is stored in the freezer. At a temperature of -12 degrees, the shelf life is 6 months, -18 degrees - 1 year. If the temperature in the freezer is less than -12, the product is usable for 4 months.

Shellfish storage rules:

• do not re-freeze the carcass;
• the skin is removed before cooking;
• the package is not opened.

Squid meat dishes are consumed immediately after cooking. The product quickly loses its taste. Cooked shellfish are stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day.

How to choose

Fresh squids are sold as:

• whole carcasses;
• rings;
• fillet.

The best option for a healthy and tasty shellfish dish is a whole carcass. Fillets and rings are chemically treated to remove the skin. During the cleaning process, the mollusk loses some of its beneficial properties, because impregnated with a dubious composition.

Characteristics of a quality product:

• carcasses are easily separated from each other;
• the surface of the squid is white or cream;
• there is no damage on the product, the integrity of the packaging is not violated;
• the carcass must have the correct shape.

Small carcasses have a pronounced taste in contrast to large specimens. The product should not smell like old fish. This smell is a sign of stale goods.

When choosing a dried shellfish, preference is given to:

• domestic manufacturer;
• composition with a minimum content of food additives.

Not all squid offered by the manufacturer are of natural origin. Modern technologies make it possible to grow mollusks in artificial conditions. Such a product may contain antibiotics, harmful additives that are used as feed. A mollusk grown in artificial conditions is recognized by the correct shape of small rings. Signs of a natural product:

• pale yellow color;
• sloppy shape in the form of shavings;
• mined in the open seas.

What is combined with

Squids go well with foods:

• eggs;
• carrot;
• cucumber;
• seaweed;
• greens;
• onion;
• sour cream.

Squids will only bring health benefits if they are selected and cooked correctly. Only intolerance or allergy to this product is an obstacle to use.