Also referred to as crawdads, crayfish, or mudbugs, crawfish aren't fish at all—they're crustaceans that live in fresh water, like rivers and marshes. Slightly sweet, they taste like a cross between their cousins, lobster and shrimp.

Crawfish also contain a good amount of B vitamins, as well as iron and selenium — important minerals that can be hard to get through your diet. "The only drawback to crawfish is that they do contain some dietary cholesterol," says Snyder. "But ultimately, crawfish are an overall healthy source of protein."

Many people describe the flavor of crawfish as a combination of shrimp and crab, as they are slightly salty, a little sweet, and have a bit of mineral flavor.

Crawdads look like tiny lobsters and are related to them. RM EK2C45–Cajun food: a plate of jambalaya with rice, a crawdad (crayfish), chicken, andouille sausage, and corn.