Bang Bang shrimp is a popular appetizer found on many restaurant menus. It features crispy, breaded shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce. While it may seem like an indulgent treat, many diners wonder if this dish is actually high in carbohydrates due to the crispy breading and creamy sauce. In this article, we will look at the nutritional breakdown of Bang Bang shrimp to find out if it is high in carbs or not.
What is Bang Bang shrimp?
Bang Bang shrimp is an appetizer that originated in the 1980s at Bonefish Grill restaurants, though it has since become popular at other chain restaurants like Chili’s or Outback Steakhouse. It features shrimp that have been breaded in panko breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crispy. The cooked shrimp are then tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, sriracha, and other Asian ingredients like sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. The result is a crispy, crunchy shrimp covered in a flavorful, creamy sauce with a kick of heat. It’s often served as an appetizer to share before the main entree.
Nutritional breakdown of Bang Bang shrimp
To determine if Bang Bang shrimp is high in carbohydrates, we need to look at its nutritional information per serving. This can vary a bit depending on the specific recipe, but this is a general nutrition facts breakdown for a typical order of Bang Bang shrimp:
Calories and macronutrients
| Calories | 670 |
| Total fat | 48g |
| Saturated fat | 8g |
| Protein | 27g |
| Total carbohydrates | 31g |
| Sugar | 2g |
For a typical single serving order of around 8-12 pieces of shrimp, Bang Bang shrimp contains about 670 calories, 48g total fat, 27g protein and 31g of total carbohydrates.
So while there are a moderate amount of carbs from the crispy panko coating, a single serving still provides under 40g net carbs since the total carbs include fiber. This is not an extremely high amount compared to other appetizers like cheesy nachos, mozzarella sticks or fried calamari which often have comparable carb counts in a single serving.
Fiber and sugar
The total carbohydrate count includes 2g of sugar and 3g of dietary fiber. So the net carbs in a serving of Bang Bang shrimp is approximately 28g when you subtract the fiber grams. The small amount of sugar indicates the sauce does not contain a lot of added sugars or high-glycemic ingredients.
Sodium
Bang Bang shrimp does contain a high amount of sodium at around 1300mg per serving. This comes primarily from the savory sauce as well as the breaded coating on the shrimp. Those on a low-sodium diet may want to limit intake of this appetizer.
How Bang Bang shrimp fits into a low-carb diet
While Bang Bang shrimp does contain a moderate amount of carbs from its crispy panko breading, it can potentially fit into a low-carb eating plan in moderation.
Here are some tips for incorporating Bang Bang shrimp into a low-carb or keto diet:
– Stick to a single serving of 8-12 shrimp as an appetizer rather than a full entree-sized portion. This will help keep overall carbs low.
– Pair it with lower-carb sides like a fresh garden salad with vinaigrette instead of carb-heavy options like rice, pasta or bread.
– Avoid sugary drinks like soda or sweet tea. Opt for unsweetened iced tea, water, or seltzer instead.
– Stay mindful of other carb sources during the day. Balance Bang Bang shrimp with very low-carb foods at other meals and snacks.
– Split a single order with a dining partner. Many restaurants serve Bang Bang shrimp as shareable appetizer portions.
– Request grilled instead of breaded shrimp to reduce the carb count if available. Though this changes the crispy texture.
Lower-carb alternatives to Bang Bang shrimp
If you decide the carbs in Bang Bang shrimp don’t fit your dietary needs, here are some lower-carb appetizer swaps to consider:
– Ceviche – Fresh fish and shrimp marinated in citrus juice with vegetables. Carbs will depend on additions like corn or peppers.
– Bacon-wrapped shrimp – Grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon provides richness without heavy breading.
– Grilled shrimp skewers – Plain grilled shrimp or with sugar-free teriyaki sauce or dry rub.
– Wings – Traditional bone-in or boneless wings coated in savory sauces. Check carb counts.
– Charcuterie board – Cured meats, cheeses, olives, nuts and pickled veggies.
– Caprese salad – Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.
– Zucchini sticks – Baked or fried zucchini sticks with ranch or garlic aioli for dipping.
– Steak bites – Grilled cubes of marinated steak make a protein-focused appetizer option.
Conclusion
Bang Bang shrimp does contain a moderate amount of carbohydrates, primarily from its crispy panko breading. A single serving averages around 28g net carbs. While not extremely high for an appetizer, those strictly limiting carbs may want to enjoy this dish in moderation or explore lower-carb swap options. However, Bang Bang shrimp can fit into a low-carb lifestyle, especially when paired strategically with other low-carb foods for the day and enjoyed occasionally as a special treat. Moderating portions and being mindful of total daily carbohydrate intake can allow you to work this restaurant favorite into an otherwise low-carb diet.