During my two weeks in June on Martha’s Vineyard I ate out for lunch six times. Each time in a different restaurant or eating establishment. Guess what I ordered for lunch every single time? Lobster Rolls.
I must admit that I could not resist having lobster every chance I had.
I love lobster.
Having moved from New England to the West Coast some 50 years ago, what I miss most about New England is lobster.
The greatest attraction of lobster is its taste. Its flavor is so unique. It is extremely sweet and yet its tendons take some effort to bite through.
In addition, there are many more health benefits from eating lobster than I ever realized. The number one benefit of lobster is that it is a high protein and lean protein food. Currently I am reading Peter Attia’s book entitled Outlive and he stresses the crucial role that protein plays in any diet or eating regime that you choose to utilize. Lobster is loaded with protein.
On top of that, lobster is a rich source of important minerals – copper, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and magnesium. For example, lobster provides 50% of the recommended daily dosage of zinc, which is important for our immune system, helping to fight infections and heal wounds.
In addition, selenium is very prevalent in lobsters. A lobster has 190% of the daily dosage of selenium. I was not familiar with this trace element that has so many positive benefits, helping to protect against thyroid disease, anemia and depression.
At the same time lobster is low in calories, fat and mercury. It is high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Lobster has vitamin B12 and vitamin E, which help boost the immune system.
Yes, there are some health related downsides to lobster. Lobster has cholesterol and sodium.
But the positive health benefits continue. For example, if you are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, lobster has microparticles that have anti-inflammatory mechanisms. If you are having trouble sleeping, lobster has a hormone tryptophan which is good for alleviating insomnia. If you are anxious to improve your brain’s functioning, lobsters have choline which is a nutrient that enhances the connections of our brain’s neurotransmitters.
So many positive benefits come with consuming lobsters.
However, what I have not talked about is that lobsters cost money. They are very expensive. My lobster rolls cost somewhere between $28 and $38 each, depending upon which restaurant I was patronizing.
I had my splurge of lobster while I was in New England. Now that I am back on the west coast, I am not ordering lobster rolls for lunch.
Yum!
Lobster rolls are my absolute favorite food. A very strong incentive to move back to the US someday.
Yes, always a reason to visit my New England roots yearly Yum 😋
Yum, thanks 😊 for the blog.
Thanks for all your research on all the subjects you present in your blogs. One always learns another interesting fact. Lobster is no exception. I did not know those facts, except for the high cholesterol and protein. When are you back on the West Coast?
Your blogs are always interesting. Thanks again, Neil.
liz, i am back on the west coast. in seattle for the next 3 months and then on to Indio for the winter. all my best, neil
Fun facts! Some good trivia info here! ;-). Petersons take note!!
Oy! The memories this evoked! I was born in Rhode Island and lived in the Northeast until almost a year ago when we moved to Orlando, FL. I grew up on lobsters way back when they cost WAY less than half today’s prices. I/we each devoured half the tails, big claws and big legs but my wife would also pick out the tiny pieces from the little legs, too (I let her have mine). Cold lobster, melted butter, lemon, maybe FF and slaw on the side. Or, lobster rolls—chunks of lobster, celery, mayo, on a toasted hot dog bun! Beer or wine. Heavenly meals! I’m jealous! Somehow the Caribbean lobsters don’t quite do!
I really loved this enlightening piece on all of the health benefits of my favorite crustacean. I lived in Maine for ten years and enjoyed lobster every chance I got. Luckily, for me, teaching sixth grade in Stonington Maine was a lobster lover’s dream. My students would gift me lobsters, not apples. My neighbors would gift me pails of lobsters or crab claws. Dinners were joyous occasions! Even after moving to the west coast I found that my friends there never forgot me. They would send us boxes packed full of the beautiful green and brown delicacies. We would break out the lobster pot and have fabulous feasts.