Coctel de camaron, also known as Mexican shrimp cocktail, is a popular appetizer in Mexican cuisine consisting of shrimp, tomato juice or ketchup, avocado, onion, cilantro, and seasoned with hot sauce. It is served chilled, often in a glass. Coctel de camaron is refreshing and flavorful, but many people wonder about its calorie content, especially if they are counting calories or on a diet.
Calories in Shrimp
The main source of calories in coctel de camaron comes from the shrimp. Shrimp are low in fat and high in protein. A 3 ounce serving of cooked shrimp contains:
- 84 calories
- 18 grams of protein
- 1 gram of fat
- 0 carbs
So the shrimp itself is relatively low in calories. However, when making coctel de camaron, the shrimp is combined with other ingredients that can increase the total calorie count.
Calories in Onion
Coctel de camaron recipes typically call for a small amount of diced or chopped onion as one of the ingredients. Onions are very low in calories – one medium onion contains around 44 calories. So the onion adds minimal calories to the overall dish.
Calories in Tomato Juice
Most authentic recipes for Mexican shrimp cocktail call for tomato juice or clamato juice as the base. A 6 ounce serving of tomato juice contains about 33 calories. Some recipes use ketchup instead of tomato juice, which contains about 80 calories per tablespoon. So depending on the exact ingredients, the tomato juice or ketchup can add 30-150 calories to the total.
Calories in Avocado
Avocado is one of the key ingredients in coctel de camaron, providing creaminess and rich flavor. However, avocado is high in calories compared to other ingredients. One medium avocado contains around 230 calories. Recipes call for around 1/2 to 1 whole avocado per serving. So the avocado can contribute 115-230 calories per serving.
Calories in Cilantro
Cilantro is used sparingly in coctel de camaron, usually a couple of tablespoons per serving. Since cilantro is so low in calories, around 5 calories per tablespoon, it adds only negligible calories to the dish.
Calories in Hot Sauce
Hot sauce or salsa is usually added to coctel de camaron to give it a spicy kick. Hot sauces are typically low in calories, with around 5-15 calories per tablespoon. So the hot sauce would only add around 5-30 calories depending on amount used.
Putting It All Together
To estimate the total calories in a serving of coctel de camaron:
- 3 oz shrimp: 84 calories
- 1/2 medium onion: 22 calories
- 1/2 cup tomato juice: 17 calories
- 1/2 medium avocado: 115 calories
- 2 tbsp cilantro: 10 calories
- 1 tbsp hot sauce: 15 calories
Total estimated calories per serving: 263
So a typical serving of coctel de camaron contains around 250-300 calories. This estimate can vary based on the exact ingredients and amounts used. Using ketchup instead of tomato juice or adding extra avocado would increase the calorie count. Overall, coctel de camaron is a relatively light appetizer option when portion sizes are controlled.
Nutritional Benefits
Despite its relatively high calorie content, avocado offers some nutritional benefits that make it worth including in moderation as part of coctel de camaron:
- Healthy fats – Avocados contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that has been linked to reducing inflammation.
- Fiber – Avocados are high in fiber, which can aid digestive health.
- Vitamins and minerals – Avocados contain vitamins K, C, B5, B6, E, potassium and folate.
Shrimp are also nutritious, being high in protein, low in fat, and containing vitamins and minerals like selenium, vitamin B12 and iodine.
Overall, coctel de camaron provides a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients when consumed in moderation. Those wanting to limit calories can enjoy it as an occasional treat in a small portion size.
Ways to Reduce Calories
Here are some tips for lowering the calorie content in coctel de camaron:
- Use tomato or clamato juice instead of ketchup as the base – ketchup is higher in calories
- Use just a 1/4 or 1/2 avocado instead of a whole avocado
- Use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise
- Go easy on the hot sauce or salsa
- Enjoy it as a snack or appetizer portion rather than large entree serving
- Substitute cucumber or jicama for some of the avocado to reduce calories
- Use low-calorie crackers like melba toast instead of tortilla chips for dipping
Making simple substitutions and controlling portion sizes can reduce the calorie content of this appetizer while still preserving the original flavors.
High Calorie Ingredients to Avoid
Some ingredients should be avoided if wanting to limit calories in coctel de camaron:
- Regular mayonnaise or aioli – Use reduced fat versions instead or omit
- Cream or sour cream – These add significant calories and fat
- Cheese – Ingredients like shredded cheese or queso fresco add extra calories
- Tortilla chips – Use vegetable sticks or melba toast for dipping instead
- Excess avocado – Stick to 1/4 to 1/2 avocado maximum per serving
Avoiding these high calorie additions will help keep coctel de camaron light and refreshing rather than heavy and indulgent.
Healthy Coctel de Camaron Recipe
Here is a healthy, lower calorie recipe for coctel de camaron:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb peeled, deveined shrimp
- 1⁄2 onion, finely diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1⁄2 avocado, cubed
- 1⁄4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1⁄4 cup tomato or clamato juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
- In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes until pink and cooked through.
- Drain the shrimp and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
- In a bowl, gently mix together the onion, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, tomato juice, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Add the shrimp and toss gently to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
- Serve chilled in glasses or bowls with hot sauce on the side if desired.
This lighter take on coctel de camaron cuts down on calories by using just 1/2 an avocado and skipping higher calorie ingredients like mayonnaise, cheese, and chips. Enjoy it as a light appetizer or snack!
Coctel de Camaron Calories in Restaurant and Takeout Versions
If dining out or ordering takeout, coctel de camaron can end up being higher in calories than homemade lighter versions:
- Restaurants may use higher calorie ingredients like regular mayonnaise, whole avocados, and cheese
- Portion sizes are often larger at restaurants compared to homemade
- Deep fried tortilla chips can add 150 calories per ounce
- Salsas and hot sauces served on the side also add extra calories
To keep the calorie count down when eating out, choose coctel de camaron without chips, cheese, mayonnaise, or sour cream. Request salsa and hot sauce on the side to control how much is added. And be mindful of portion sizes, as restaurant servings are often 2-3 times larger than recommended.
When ordering takeout, ask for any dressings or sauces on the side to control the amount. And be careful of extra tortilla chips, which can quickly drive up calorie counts. Enjoy coctel de camaron as a light appetizer by splitting a takeout portion or saving half for leftovers.
High Calorie Recipes to Avoid
Some popular recipes for Mexican shrimp cocktail end up being high in calories by adding ingredients like:
- Bacon – Adds about 40 calories per slice
- Chorizo – Adds around 130 calories per ounce
- Shredded cheese – 1/4 cup can add over 100 calories
- Sour cream – 2 tablespoons is around 60 calories
- Mayonnaise or aioli – Often used instead of tomato juice as base
- Fried shrimp – Doubles the calories compared to boiled
- Guacamole – Much higher in calories than plain avocado
- Tortilla chips – Easily 150+ calories per serving
While these ingredients can add delicious flavor, they also drive up the calories significantly. Those wanting a lighter appetizer should avoid these higher calorie recipes. Stick to simpler, vegetable-based coctel de camaron instead.
Conclusion
Coctel de camaron can be a reasonably healthy appetizer choice when made with light ingredients like tomato juice, shrimp, avocado, and vegetables. A typical serving contains around 250-300 calories. This calorie count can rise significantly if adding high calorie ingredients like tortilla chips, bacon, chorizo, cheese, or sour cream. Enjoy coctel de camaron occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet, control portion sizes, and opt for lighter preparation methods to keep calories down. Making it at home allows control over ingredients and is the healthiest option.
