Chicken vs Shrimp - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Price

The price of each type is different and significantly different. Chicken meat is much cheaper compared to shrimp. More often in different parts of the world, shrimp is considered more of a higher-end food. 

Chicken is one of the cheapest types of protein.

Culinary world 

Chicken is one of the most commonly used proteins in the culinary world. It is easy to prepare, accessible, and is present in nearly all cuisines around the world without exception. Rotisserie, grilling, boiling, frying, and baking. There are so many ways you can prepare chicken. 

In comparison, nowadays, shrimps are found all around the world, but you won't find dishes with shrimps in all culinary cultures as compared to chicken. Preparing food with shrimp needs more skills than preparing chicken. 

Taste and flavor

Chicken has many different parts that have different nutritional and flavor profiles. These parts are wings, breasts, drumsticks, and thighs. In comparison, shrimps are a one-piece protein. 

Chicken breast, for example, is a dryer piece than the thigh. However, chicken, all in all, has a similar flavor regarding its parts. Shrimp, on the other hand, has a specific seafood taste. 

Calories

Chicken contains double the amount of calories compared to shrimp. 

100g of chicken contains 240 calories, whereas 100g of shrimp contains 120 calories. 

This difference is very significant. 

Carbs

Their carb content is negligible. 

Fats

Shrimp has a negligible amount of fat. In comparison, chicken is higher in fats and contains 14g of fats and the highest amount of fatty acids is that of monounsaturated fats. Comparatively, it is higher in saturated fats aswell. In this article, we are considering the skin and meat of chicken.

If we consider skinless chicken, then the fat content would be much lower. In turn, the calories would be lower aswell. 

Shrimp is higher in dietary cholesterol. However, shrimp is low in fats.

Below we can visualize their distribution diagrams. 

@fattypecoverage 

Proteins

Chicken meat is richer in protein compared to shrimp.

Chicken contains 27g of protein, whereas shrimp contains 22g of protein. 

These are the macronutrient distributions of these foods. 

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Chicken meat

2

:

3

Shrimp

Contains more Protein +19.8%

Contains more Fats +700%

Contains more Carbs +∞%

Contains more Water +20.4%

Equal in Other - 2.44

Chicken meat

Protein: 27.3 g

Fats: 13.6 g

Carbs: 0 g

Water: 59.45 g

Other: 0 g

Shrimp

Protein: 22.78 g

Fats: 1.7 g

Carbs: 1.52 g

Water: 71.56 g

Other: 2.44 g

Contains more Protein +19.8%

Contains more Fats +700%

Contains more Carbs +∞%

Contains more Water +20.4%

Equal in Other - 2.44

Minerals

Chicken is richer in zinc and iron. In comparison, shrimp is relatively more mineral-dense than chicken. Shrimp is richer in selenium, calcium, choline, copper, phosphorus, and magnesium. However, it is also high in sodium. 

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Chicken meat

4

:

6

Shrimp

Contains more Iron +293.8%

Contains more Potassium +31.2%

Contains less Sodium -91.3%

Contains more Zinc +19%

Contains more Calcium +506.7%

Contains more Magnesium +60.9%

Contains more Phosphorus +68.1%

Contains more Copper +290.9%

Contains more Manganese +145%

Contains more Selenium +107.1%

Chicken meat

Shrimp

Contains more Iron +293.8%

Contains more Potassium +31.2%

Contains less Sodium -91.3%

Contains more Zinc +19%

Contains more Calcium +506.7%

Contains more Magnesium +60.9%

Contains more Phosphorus +68.1%

Contains more Copper +290.9%

Contains more Manganese +145%

Contains more Selenium +107.1%

Vitamins 

Chicken is richer in vitamins B2, B3, B5, and B6 (riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine). In comparison, shrimp is richer in vitamins B12(cobalamine) and E. 

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Chicken meat

6

:

5

Shrimp

Contains more Vitamin B1 +96.9%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +600%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +216.9%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +98.5%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +65.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +500%

Contains more Vitamin A +87%

Contains more Vitamin E +714.8%

Contains more Vitamin D +∞%

Contains more Folate +380%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +453.3%

Chicken meat

Shrimp

Contains more Vitamin B1 +96.9%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +600%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +216.9%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +98.5%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +65.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +500%

Contains more Vitamin A +87%

Contains more Vitamin E +714.8%

Contains more Vitamin D +∞%

Contains more Folate +380%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +453.3%

Shellfish allergy

Shrimps contain tropomyosin, which is a trigger for people who have a shellfish allergy. After consuming shrimp, these individuals can go into a serious anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. It is important not to consume shellfish if you have allergies. (5) 

Vitamins and health

Shrimp is a richer source of vitamin E and vitamin B12. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that, in turn, reduces oxidative stress, which in turn, reduces the risks of different cancers. 
Shrimp is also an important source of vitamin B12 which in turn it decreases the risks of vitamin B12 megaloblastic anemia. (6) (7) 

Conversely, chicken is richer in vitamins B2, B3, B5, and B6. Having an adequate diet rich in B complex vitamins is important for overall physiology and health. (8) 

Minerals and health 

Chicken is richer in iron and zinc. These are essential minerals that the body requires. Iron is an important mineral to consume because a low iron diet is linked with increased risks of iron deficiency anemia. (9) 
Zinc is also a very important mineral that the body requires for different metabolic processes. (10) 

Shrimp is a food high in sodium. We must be careful of sodium consumption especially long term because it increases risks of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, which increases risks of overall mortality rates. (11) 
In turn, chicken is low in sodium. 

Shrimp is also a greater magnesium, copper, selenium, choline, and phosphorus source. These minerals are essential in several metabolic and biochemical processes in the body. 
Copper is important in several biochemical processes. (12)

Magnesium is essential for bone health. (13)
Selenium is an important mineral in the immune system. Phosphorus is essential when it comes to bone health and most pathways regarding energy production. (14)(15)

Choline is important in the biochemical process of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter formation. In addition, choline is important in liver metabolic pathways and homocysteine metabolism. (16)