Imitation crab, which is typically made from inexpensive whitefish such as pollock, is often used in prepared foods like California rolls. Along with pollock, imitation crab meat typically contains additives such as sugar and coloring. For this reason, imitation crab contains 5.3 g of sugar while true crab meat contains none.
Calories and Carbohydrates
Unlike true crab meat, imitation crab meat is comprised of primarily carbohydrates. Of the 81 calories in 3 oz. of imitation crab, 51 are from carbohydrates. There are 12.8 g of carbohydrates in 3 oz. of imitation crab, of which 5.3 g are sugar, 0.4 g are fiber and 6.5 g are starch. In contrast, true crab meat contains no carbohydrates and no fiber.
Protein
One 3 oz. serving of imitation crab meat contains 6.5 g of protein. This is 14 percent of the dietary reference intake, or DRI, for women and 12 percent for men. Of the 18 amino acids that make up the 6.5 g of protein in imitation crab, the most abundant is glutamic acid, which is a non-essential amino acid important for nervous system health.
Fat
Imitation crab meat is low in fat. One 3 oz. serving contains only 0.4 g of fat. Three oz. of imitation crab also contains 17 mg of cholesterol. This is 6 percent of the maximum amount recommended per day.
Sodium
Imitation crab meat contains a large amount of sodium. One serving contains 715 mg, which is 30 percent of the maximum amount recommended per day. While sodium is an essential mineral, in large amounts it can cause health issues for those with heart disease and other medical complications.
Minerals
In addition to containing a large amount of sodium, imitation crab meat also contains significant amounts of phosphorus and selenium. One 3 oz. serving of imitation crab supplies 34 percent of the DRI for phosphorus, which contributes to healthy bones and teeth and assists in cell repair. Three oz. of imitation crab also contains 19 mcg of selenium, which provides 35 percent of the DRI.
Vitamins
Although imitation crab meat provides less than 10 percent of all of the fat-soluble vitamins, it does contain 0.48 mcg of vitamin B12, which provides 20 percent of the DRI. Found primarily in meat, fish and dairy products, B12 helps in the formation of red blood cells. One serving of imitation crab supplies less than 10 percent of all other B vitamins and vitamin C.
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