Red Lobster is a seafood restaurant with locations across the country, and they offer menu selections that include snow crab legs. According to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, snow crab is a healthy option that is low in fat and calories, but high in protein. A serving of snow crab legs is 3 oz., so when you order the pound platter of them at Red Lobster, be sure to multiply the nutrition information to reflect this.
Fat
According to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, a 3-oz. serving of snow crab legs contains 1.3 mg of fat. Of that total, only .2 mg of it is saturated fat; the rest is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat. These types of fats are considered heart-healthy varieties that should be incorporated into a healthy diet, reports MayoClinic.com. Omega-3 fatty acid, a type of polyunsaturated fat, regulates heartbeat, reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers unhealthy blood pressure levels. Indulging in a platter of snow crab legs when you dine at Red Lobster gives you a good dose of healthy fat with a lot flavor. Avoid huge amounts of the drawn butter that is typically served with them to help you keep your fat and calorie count down.
Calories
A pound of snow crab legs at Red Lobster contains only 160 calories, according to the restaurant's nutrition information. Choose them as your meal, and you can indulge in a fancy meal without going overboard on calorie count. Selecting the right side dish to accompany your snow crab legs allows you to enjoy a restaurant meal in a healthy way. Good choices include asparagus, a garden salad or rice pilaf. The Calorie Control Council reports that if you are trying to lose weight, choosing lower calorie meals like Red Lobster's snow crab legs is a good way to reduce calorie intake so that you are not eating more calories than you can burn in one day, which is the best way to lose unwanted pounds.
Protein
Seafood is one of the best sources of animal protein, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. With 20 g of protein per 3-oz. serving, the snow crab legs on Red Lobster's menu make a good choice for helping you reach the recommended daily totals for protein. Adequate protein intake has been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. In addition, protein has the ability to help you lose or maintain weight because it digests slowly, which keeps you from feeling hungry before it is time to eat again.
Member Comments