Blue crabs from the Chesapeake and Atlantic are known for hosting sweet and tasty meat, but are these crustaceans healthy?
Seafood in generally is regarded as pretty healthy, but what about blue crabs? From calories to sodium, it’s important to know what exactly you are putting into your body. If you’re looking on adding more blue crab into your diet, here are some things to consider.
Calories in Blue Crabs
For those looking to add more protein to their diets, 79.2 percent of the calories from crab meat comes from protein. A 3oz serving of blue crab meat is about 86.7 calories, which is 4.3 percent of the calories you can consume on a 2,000-calorie diet. Many people struggle with getting protein into their diet when they reduce calories, but adding blue crab meat is a great way to give your body the protein it needs while keeping your caloric intake low.
Cholesterol in Blue Crabs
While blue crab meat is low in calories and high in protein, it is higher in cholesterol. You should watch your intake of foods high in cholesterol when you eat blue crab meat, as it contains one-third of the cholesterol that is recommended in a day. Too much cholesterol can increase the chances of a heart attack, so as with most things in life, moderation is key.
Protein & Carbohydrates in Blue Crabs
Protein helps us acquire the energy we need each day, and blue crabs are very high in protein. A 3oz serving has about 17.2 grams of protein, and a recommended intake for each day is between 46-56 grams. If you’re restricting your carb intake, blue crab meat has 0 carbs. An excess of carbs can make people feel tired and sluggish, so consuming blue crab meat is a great way to avoid the side effect of excessive carb intakes.
Blue Crabs & Health
Blue crab meat is high in sodium, and with any seafood, mercury can be an issue. Generally though, crabs are regarded as having far less mercury than most other types of seafood. The proper diet requires portion control and careful planning, but blue crabs can make a perfect addition to help you reach or maintain your physical fitness goals. Moderation is still key, but blue crab meat is a great source of natural protein with a low calorie count.
Located in Abingdon, Maryland, our crab cakes are available year round and can be ordered online to be shipped straight to your front door. Order online here or call us at (410)-515-3662. If you ever have any questions or comments about Box Hill or our Maryland crab cakes, use our contact form here.
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Sources
http://www.livestrong.com/article/370057-the-nutrition-value-of-blue-crabs/
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Tags: Blue Crabs, Maryland Blue Crabs