[Nataku X]

Isn't shrimp very low in calories? Scampi isn't fried, either. And isn't it expensive for a town supposedly suffering from dire poverty?

[CajunConservative]

Depending on how close to the Gulf they are shrimp could be fairly inexpensive there. Asking for shrimp scampi is healthier than asking for the typical junk food kids ask for.

I think a lot of the problem with the obesity factor in general is High Fructose Corn Syrup and partially hydrogenated fats that is in everything processed, even foods that shouldn't have HFCS have it. Kids diets today are nothing but highly refined shots of sugar all day long which keeps the pancreas pumping out insulin to handle the loads.

[valkyrieanne]

Isn't shrimp very low in calories? Scampi isn't fried, either. And isn't it expensive for a town supposedly suffering from dire poverty?

Shrimp has gotten a lot cheaper over the years. Shrimp scampi is basically shrimp sauteed with garlic and some bread crumbs. The shrimp itself is almost pure protein; the bread crumbs provide far fewer carbs than deep-fried shrimp. You get a few calories from the butter or oil used to saute it, but again, it's less than deep-fried. The garlic probably has a protective effect on the heart and circulatory system. The child may actually be craving the garlic and may need more protein than she's getting.

[Veto!]

Shrimp? I'll never eat another one. They are almost 100% cholesterol. More than any other fish or meat.

[andie74]

Isn't shrimp very low in calories? Scampi isn't fried, either. And isn't it expensive for a town supposedly suffering from dire poverty? You know, that is what I thought at first too, but notice that the school principal is the one whose kid is clamoring for shrimp scampi. They probably eat upscale fast food, like the boil-in-bag Olive Garden.