Calamari - Why Is It Good For Us?

Image via Etsy artist 

These past few weeks I have been craving Calamari and it has gone from being a dish I might have once or twice a year to me having it two weekends in a row!
Because I believe intuitive eating has a lot of merit (see Simi at The MicroHarvest for lots more info on this), it got me thinking... what are the nutrients in calamari, and why is my body craving them?

So, it turns out there is not too much literature out there on calamari/squid compared to other more popular foods but I was able to find some info:

1. Omega 3 - with about 496mg per 100g squid can help reduce inflammation, support cognitive function (i.e. learning and memory) and reduce your risk of depression

2. Selenium - acts as an antioxidant within the body and also helps the body to recycle vitamin C and vitamin E

3. Protein - depending on the variety, squid has around 20g of protein per 100g.
The most abundant amino acids (the building blocks of protein) found in squid are aspartic acid and glutamic acid, which provide bone support and are involved with memory and learning

Hmm lots of cognitive support there - my body must know that I'll be needing some help for the 2nd half of this semester!

You can read more here and here 
And remember - grilled, not fried!

Here's some squid from when I went diving off the Busselton Jetty

This is provided purely as information, not medical advice - if you are unwell, please seek assistance from your healthcare professional