Pinching the Tails and Drinking a Brew

Crawfish and Beer

Crawfish yield about 15 percent meat, so it takes about 6 or 7 pounds of live crawfish to give one pound of tailmeat.

For many New Orleanians, crawfish boils are a social event we look forward to.

Crawfish themselves are low-calorie, low-fat, and a good source of protein, electrolytes, and vitamins such as magnesium, selenium, and iron. However, add the salt and beer and we may begin to notice some less desirable after effects.

Beer contains a small percentage of alcohol. It is this alcohol which has a diuretic effect in the human body, meaning that it works on the kidney in such a way that it increases urination. As we lose water in the body from urination, the salts (sodium) in our body become less diluted (more concentrated) possibly leading to unusually high sodium levels, higher blood pressure and even dehydration. Additionally for individuals with gout, consuming high-sodium foods in combination with alcohol may heighten the risk of an acute gout flare.

As with everything, moderation is key!

Suggestions:

Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water. Feeling “thirsty" means that you are not hydrated

enough!

Try a non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic (< 2%) beer

Reduce the amount of salt used during the boil and avoid adding extra salt to cooked

crawfish

FDA-recommended daily sodium intake:

< 2,300 mg for the general population

< 1,500 mg for individuals with hypertension, blacks, and middle-

aged/older adults

Get Checked. Get Fit. Get Moving!™

Sources:

Get the Facts: Drinking Water and Intake. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/plain-water-the-healthier-choice.html. Updated May 12, 2017. Accessed Feb 21, 2018.
Health Aspects of Non-Alcoholic Beer. Beer and Health. https://beerandhealth.eu/beer-and-health/health-aspects-of-non-alcoholic-beer/. Accessed Feb 21, 2018.
Lowering Salt in Your Diet. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm181577.htm.Updated: May 18, 2010. Accessed Feb 21,2018.