Lobsters As Food

Do lobsters feel pain?

When it comes to the preparation of lobster to be eaten, there has been a longstanding controversy of whether or not these animals feel pain.  Many may argue that it is abusive and inhumane to place a live animal in a boiling pot of water to face its death.  In contrast, others have said that this practice is justified because lobsters do not feel pain.  Previous studies have shown that lobsters have nervous systems that are so simple that they do not have the ability to process pain.  Thus, the common misconception that lobsters are suffering and thrash around the boiling pot of water due to suffering is invalid.  Instead, this thrashing is an automatic result of an outside stimulus on the lobster itself, not pain.  Craig W. Stevens, a professor of pharmacology at the Center for Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa states, “When you drop a lobster in boiling water, or put a fishhook through a worm, those stimuli cause those muscles to contract...We describe that as pain because of the motor response, which is nothing more than neurons that have been stimulated”.  Furthermore, through scientific research, Stevens explains that what we think to be pain for the lobsters is actually its muscle’s natural reaction to stimulus.  

Where can you catch the best lobster in the United States?

Lobster can be bought in many different places throughout the country, but it is likely that some lobster will be better tasting than others.  This mainly depends on how fresh the lobster is, and thus, where it came from.  Lobster can be found just about anywhere there is an ocean, but one select area has become known for their amazing tasting lobster.  The state of Maine, located right on the ocean, contributes to more than half of the lobsters caught in the United States.  While Maine lobster is available year-round, the lobster is harvested through the winter and early spring months from the bulk that was caught in the summer and fall.  These lobsters are known to have a distinct taste, and as a result, Maine has become a popular destination for people who not only love to eat lobster, but want to learn about it as well.  

How healthy is lobster? 

As lobster has become increasingly popular, and the United States continues to struggle with a rising rate of obesity, people have become more interested in how healthy different foods are.  Although most foods that people love are fatty and sweet, lobster is actually very healthy.  A 100 gram portion of lobster consists of 98 calories, 0.1 grams of fat, and only 72 milligrams of cholesterol.  In comparison, a 100 gram portion of light meat chicken is 173 calories, including 1.3 grams of fat, and 85 milligrams of cholesterol.  Additionally, lobster contains Amino Acids, Magnesium, and numerous Vitamins such as A and B12.  These are all nutrients that are beneficial to the human body and make lobster a healthy alternative to meat consumption.  Overall, despite the mouthwatering taste, lobster is a very healthy food that is safe to indulge in.    

What are the best lobster recipes?

Lobster can be prepared in all different ways and made into many different dishes, each of which are extremely tasteful in their own way.  One of the most popular lobster recipes is the well-known lobster roll.  This consists of lobster chunks mixed with mayonnaise, lemon juice, vegetables such as chopped cucumber or celery, and some salt and pepper.  This mixture is placed in a roll, similar to a hot dog bun, and often has some melted butter brushed on the top.  Another popular recipe is lobster mac and cheese.  The basic recipe includes cooked lobster meat mixed with pasta such as elbow macaroni and a graded mixture of cheeses.  Some may add different spices to their recipe, in addition to topping the dish with fresh bread crumbs.  Lastly, an extremely healthy lobster recipe is simply cooking the lobster meat and placing it on a salad with a variety vegetables.  The lobster will give the dish significant flavor, in addition to adding healthy protein to the meal.  Overall, there are countless recipes that include lobster, and it can be prepared in many different ways.