Calories in Shrimp Pad Thai

Increasing popularity of the Thai food and increasing number of restaurants serving Thai food show how delicious and healthy Thai food is. Tom yum goong (soup) and Pad Thai are perhaps the most sought after Thai dishes. Lemon grass, bamboo shoots, chili pepper, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, nam prig pow, basil, coconut milk, seafood, meat, rice, noodles, etc., are the typical ingredients of Thai food. Let us first take a look at the ingredients of Pad Thai.

Ingredients of Pad Thai

In Thai food, you will always find a perfect blending of all tastes, sweet, sour, spicy, salty and bitter. Thai dishes never contain large portions of meat or fish. Thai people always prefer a combination of all tastes and do not like the food which comes with too much of a single taste. Pad Thai or Phat Thai mainly consists of stir fried rice noodles. The texture and flavor of Pad Thai mainly depends upon the method of preparation. The enchanting taste of Pad Thai is attributed to the ingredients like eggs, fish sauce, tamarind extract, lime juice and red chili pepper. These help enhance the taste of the main component which can be anything like bean sprouts or shrimp or chicken or tofu; as per your choice. You can decorate the dish with the help of ground peanut and coriander. In Thailand, Pad Thai is quite dry and fluffy while in Western countries, it is often served with tomato ketchup. Pad Thai calories may vary according to the ingredients and the method of preparation.

Calories in Shrimp Pad Thai

• 1 big bowl of shrimp Pad Thai (365g) contains 494 calories.
• 10 oz (280g) of Shrimp Pad Thai contains 350 calories.
• 1 serving of shrimp Pad Thai with 4 oz shrimp contains 588 calories.
• 1 serving of homemade shrimp Pad Thai contains 545 calories.
• Depending upon the ingredients, half bowl of homemade shrimp Pad Thai may contain 655 calories.

The above information shows that Pad Thai is high in calories. You might be wondering from where do these calories come from. The following example will make it clear. With reference to one serving of homemade shrimp Pad Thai containing 545 calories, here is the explanation for total number of calories.

2 oz. dry noodles: 203 calories 8 oz. shrimp: 240 calories 1 teaspoon olive oil: 20 calories Half tablespoon peanut butter: 47 calories 1/4th large egg: 18 calories

Half tbsp. soy sauce: 4 calories 1/3rd cup fat free chicken broth: 4 calories 1 tsp ginger root: 2 calories 1/4th tsp garlic paste: 1 calorie Small flakes of red pepper: 8 calories

Shrimp Pad Thai Nutrients

Knowing only about the calories is not sufficient for evaluating the nutritional value of a dish. Take a look at the nutritional data of 1 serving of shrimp Pad Thai.

Calories: 545 Protein: 57.2 g Total Fat: 12.1 g Saturated Fat: 2.3 g Monounsaturated fat: 4.7 g Polyunsaturated fat: 3.2 g

Carbohydrates: 49.2 g Fiber: 3.6 g Cholesterol: 397.7 mg Sodium: 2073.4 mg Potassium: 676.1 mg Sugars: 0.2 g

Along with the above elements, shrimp Pad Thai also supplies various vitamins like vitamin A, various B vitamins, especially B12, C, D and E. Plant sources do not provide sufficient vitamin B12 but animal sources are the reliable sources of vitamin B12, deficiency of which can result in several physical and mental problems. Minerals like zinc, selenium, manganese and copper carry antioxidant properties. They protect your body from various diseases by canceling the effects of free radicals. Vitamins and minerals help strengthen your immune system and help improve your overall health. Shrimp Pad Thai is a good source of protein. Soy protein comes with a special set of health benefits. The carbohydrates can keep you satiated and energetic.

The above information also shows that shrimp Pad Thai is very high in sodium and cholesterol which can prove to be harmful for health, especially heart health. Those diagnosed with high blood pressure need to follow a low sodium diet. Overweight people (and also healthy people) need to follow a low cholesterol diet. Excessive consumption of the dish should be avoided as calories in shrimp Pad Thai can lead to weight gain, but consumption in moderation can help improve your overall health.