Seafood delicacy

By FABIAN ODUM
GOOD buffet or cocktails usually present a variety of dishes. The-serve-yourself style and in any manner of mixes leave the dinner plates wonderfully coloured as some could dish rice, spiced with carrot (in coleslaw) and topped with savoury egusi soup. Such is the beauty of the merry-go-round on tables.
However, sometimes you will notice that guests gravitate around particular dishes. It is not without a good reason.
It could be a snack of beef or vegetable samosa or in the case under consideration, well made shrimps or prawns.
Tasty
Ordinarily, fresh sea foods are not commonly available or when in cocktails and buffets, shrimps (or prawns) are served, it is only a matter of few dips of the fork and the plate is emptied.
Getting the nutritional best
As good tasting as shrimps/prawns may be, experts say much could be lost if the right kind of cooking is not applied.
Deep frying (in oil) of foods especially in this case can unto their benefits. Best methods should be by baking, broiling and steaming. This way the nutrients in it would be preserved better and rendered to the body more beneficially.”
Brain Boosting Power
Researchers have shown that eating some sea foods with other low fat and carbohydrate foods (potatoes or bread) or alone creates energy—boosting chemicals in the brain.
It is reported to increase mental alertness by sending a dose of body chemical known a tyrosine to the brain, Shrimps (prawns) are analysed to be low in fat and carbohydrate and mainly of pure protection.
Proteins, the studies say, delivers large supplies of tyrosine (amino acid) which is later transformed into two chemicals, dopamine and norepinnephrine, which mentally energies the brain.
Function Of Tyrosine
The study also found that taking about the required quantity becomes of none effect. In addition, tyrosine works to create the alertness chemicals only when the need to produce more only comes to the brain is already using them up.
However, it found out that the consumption does not take the brain beyond its capability.
Health Benefits
Shrimps are rich and dense in nutrients. It is an excellent source of selenium and unusually low-fat, low-calorie protein as well as a good source of vitamin D and vitamin B12.
Shrimp and cholesterol
It’s the total fat profile of a food, not the food’s cholesterol content, that most impacts your cholesterol readings, the study reveals.
With increasing health consciousness focused on total fat intake rather than on dietary cholesterol, there are few objections to eating shrimp. According to the Rockefeller study, shrimp can be included in heart-healthy nutritional guidelines.
Storing raw product
When storing any type of seafood, including shrimp, it is important to keep it cold since seafood is very sensitive to temperature. Therefore, after purchasing shrimp or other seafood, make sure to return it to a refrigerator as soon as possible. Take the sea food in ice box until ready storage in freezer to avoid spoilage.






Snow peas
(Food Value)
BY CHINELO NWAGBO

(Good for a healthy heart)
ARE you one of those who carefully separate peas from other foods on your plate to avoid eating them? If so, you are missing out greatly. They are very nutritious and have health benefits / healing power.
If you want to prevent coronary disease or perhaps, you are suffering from heart disease, snow peas are good for you. They are a good source of protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, dietary fiber, foliate, provitamin A (beta-carotene), E, phosphorus, niacin, magnesium, copper, zinc and contain significant amount of carbohydrate. Additionally, they are a good source of B group vitamins (vitamin B1, B2, B6) vitamin C, potassium and iron all these nutrients are essential for proper functioning of the heart and nervous system.

Uses and preparation of snow peas
Cooked: Snow peas should not be cooked for more than five – 10 minutes. Longer cooking times destroy almost the entire vitamin content, therefore, it is recommended that you briefly boil or steam them.
Dried: They may be stored for a very long time than fresh ones, as they contain very little amount of protvitamin A and vitamin C.
Frozen: They are eaten after being thawed and briefly heated.
Canned: They may also be canned. In fact, canned ones are available all year round.

Healing power/health benefits
Good for a healthy heart (help prevent heart disease): They contain nutrients that are necessary for proper function of the heart. Additionally, they do not contain fat and sodium, which are two substances that are antagonistic to heart health when taken in excess. They are also rich in fiber that helps to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Prevents nervous disorder (depression, anxiety, insomnia and irritability): The seed is very nutritious and rich in B group vitamin (vitamin B1, B2, B6) and magnesium. These nutrients are necessary for proper functioning of nervous system.
Good for pregnant and lactation: This health benefit is as a result of its high protein, vitamins and mineral content, which are very appropriate for pregnant and lactating women. They also contain float, which prevents fetal nervous system malformation.
Good for healthy bones: Snow peas and other green peas serve as a very good source of folic acid and; vitamin B6. These two nutrients help to reduce the buildup of a metabolic byproduct called homocysteine, a dangerous molecule that can obstruct collagen cross-linking, which results to poor bone matrix and osteoporosis.

Gives energy and contribute to overall wellness: They are one of the most important foods to include in the diet when one feels fatigued and sluggish. This is because they provide nutrients that help support the energy-producing cells and systems of the body. They are very good source of thiamin-vitamin B1 and a good source of vitamin B6, riboflavin-vitamin B2 and niacin-vitamin B3, all of which are nutrients that are necessary for carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism which provide energy to body.

Prevents Cancer: They provide nutrients, including vitamin C and antioxidant vitamins that inhibit formation of cancer-causing compounds in the body such as the nitrosamines — chemicals produced when the body digests processed meats containing nitrates. Also, high intake of vitamin C has been shown to reduce the risks for virtually all forms of cancer, including lukaemia, lymphoma, lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers as well as sex hormone-related cancers such as breast, prostate, cervix, and ovarian cancers.
Boost the immune system: Vitamin C in snow peas is important for keeping the immune system primed to fight off infection and plays an important role in wound healing. It also keeps skin and joints in great shape.

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