Crab meat can be added to salads, soups and casseroles. However, the meat may be expensive or hard to obtain in some regions, and faux crab provides a viable alternative, with a taste comparable to crab meat. Made from pureed white fish -- a mixture called surimi -- faux crab often comes shaped similarly to snow crab legs, and can be used in place of crab in many recipes. Faux crab also provides your body with a source of energy and some nutrients.
Calories
Consuming faux crab provides a modest source of energy for your body. A 3 oz. serving of faux crab contains 81 calories, while 100 g of faux crab provides 95 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database. Despite its low calorie content when served on its own, "crab meat" salads containing faux crab may also contain high-fat ingredients such as mayonnaise which can make it a high-calorie meal.
Protein
Faux crab contains relatively small amounts of protein, especially compared to real crab meat, which provides a rich source of the nutrient. Three ounces of imitation crab contains approximately 6.5 g of protein, and 100 grams of the faux crab meat contains 7.6 grams. Though faux crab can contribute a small amount to your recommended protein intake -- at least 0.8 g per kg of body weight, according to the Harvard School of Public Health -- faux crab is not a significant source of protein in your diet.
Carbs
The majority of the energy in faux crab comes from its carbohydrate content. The "crab" contains 15 g of total carbohydrates per 100 g serving, and contains both simple and complex carbohydrates. The simple sugars in faux crab include sugar and glucose, while the complex carbohydrates are present as starch, according to the USDA. If you're looking to reduce your sugar intake, opt for real crab meat over faux crab, since genuine crab meat contains little to no sugar.
Other Nutrients
Faux crab meat proves fairly nutritionally sparse, as the meat contains only small amounts of essential vitamins and most minerals. However, faux crab does contain selenium, a mineral your body uses to support metabolism. A 100 g serving of faux crab provides 22.3 mcg of selenium -- around 40 percent of the 55 mcg daily intake recommended for adults by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Faux crab also contains a rich source of sodium. Individuals who must control their salt intake should avoid faux crab, if possible, and instead opt for lower-salt alternatives like fresh, genuine crab meat.
Member Comments