Despite popular opinion, shellfish is NOT a high cholesterol food. It does not need to be limited if you are on a heart health diet to lower your cholesterol.

Here’s the catch:

• most shellfish eg crabs, scallops, mussels, clams and lobster have less cholesterol than chicken or beef; and they are low in fat
• Some shrimp have more cholesterol, but the jury is still out as to whether this cholesterol has the same effect as the cholesterol in other foods. Shrimp contains healthy omega three fatty acids and it is low in saturated fat
• dunk shellfish in red sauce instead of butter and you have a heart healthy choice.