Crabs can be found in many dishes, including sushi, tacos, and soups. Fresh crab is delicious boiled whole, grilled, or steamed. Have a look at these Snow Crab Nutrition Facts here!
Crab legs and claws are among the most succulent parts. Crabs, like other shellfish, are nutritious as they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
Snow Crab Nutrition Facts
There are many varieties of crabs that can be eaten all over the globe. It is not difficult to say that you enjoy eating crab. There are many crabs, so comparing them to each other can be difficult.
On the streets of Vietnam, you can find small, fried soft-shelled crabs that are half the size of your hand. You can also find giant, carnivorous coconut crabs or spider crabs as big as people. While coconut crabs are the largest arthropod, Japanese Spider crabs can grow up to 13 feet in their legs.
Most crabs that you will find in supermarkets are less than 100 grams in weight. These are the most popular crabs:
- Alaskan king crabs
- Blue crabs
- Dungeness crabs
- Queen crabs
- Snow crabs
- Stone crabs
- Softshell crabs
- Spider crabs
- Horsehair crabs
Anybody who enjoys eating meat and fish will know that bones can add a lot to their flavor. Crabs and shellfish do not have bones like animals or fish. They have exoskeletons instead, which are hard outer shells.
Crab legs are usually cooked whole and have more shells than the meat. However, this is a good thing — the meat from the claws and legs can be much more flavorful than that from the rest.
Also, read Frozen Crab Legs Nutrition Facts
Crab Leg Nutrition Facts
Each crab species has a different nutritional profile, but they all have the same amount of vitamins and minerals. The legs of crabs are low in calories and carbs. 100g of Alaskan King crab can help you meet your daily nutritional needs by providing:
- Five percent of calcium’s daily value (DV).
- Copper DV: 131 percent
- 15% of the DV is for magnesium
- 22 percent of the DV is for phosphorus
- 6 percent of the daily value for potassium
- 73 percent of the DV is for selenium
- 69% of the DV for Zinc
100 grams of Alaskan King crab can also help you meet your daily vitamin requirements, such as:
- 8 percent of the DV is for vitamin B3 or niacin
- 8 percent of the DV is for vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid
- 11 percent of vitamin B6’s DV
- 13 percent of the DV is for vitamin B9, folate
- 479 percent of vitamin B12’s DV
- 8 percent of the DV vitamin C
Crabs also contain high levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The protein content of crab legs can vary from 35 to 39 percent of the DV for 100 grams depending on the crab. The DV for protein in Alaskan king crab 100 grams is 39 percent. Blue crabs and some crabs also have other nutrients like vitamin E and choline.
There are no major nutritional differences between crab legs and bodies. However, leg size can vary widely. Alaskan king crabs have larger legs than most other crabs. The meat of the crab’s body might be a little flakier than the legs.
Also, read Crab Cake Nutritional Facts
Crab Eating Benefits
Crabs are one of the most healthful types of shellfish that you can eat. Crabs can be quite expensive, but they provide a lot of nutrients in small amounts, making them a worthwhile food to eat. One of the most important nutritional features of crab is its omega-3 fatty acid. These essential polyunsaturated fats are found in marine products.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential for your health. These healthy fats can lead to skin problems. However, their consumption can reduce the risk of eye, cardiovascular, neurological, and inflammatory diseases.
Fish such as salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are so vital that they are even being included in the feed for farmed crab populations. This improves their health as well as their nutritional value.
Side effects of eating crab
Crabs are a great source of many vitamins and minerals. It is possible to eat too many good things. Crabs are very nutritious, so any side effects from eating them are likely due to an excessive intake of certain nutrients.
It’s easy to see why this could happen. Alaskan king crab contains 131 percent of DV for copper and 479 percent DV vitaminB12 in only 100 grams. Vitamin B12, a water-soluble vitamin, is safe to eat in large quantities. It is possible to consume excessive amounts of copper. Too much of this mineral can cause stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. Long-term copper buildup can also cause organ failure.
Also, read Chicken Fajita Nutrition Facts | Are Chicken Fajitas Healthy?
Not all crabs have the same nutrition. This is a good thing because it allows you to eat crab while changing the nutrients. Queen crabs contain less copper than Dungeness, 75 percent and 63 percent, respectively. The zinc content of Alaskan king crabs is also high, at 69% per 100g. Blue crabs contain about half of that amount, with 39 percent and 35 percent.
Their nutrient content is likely not an issue if you don’t eat crabs often. It’s a good thing. You should be mindful of how many nutrients you consume if you eat crabs every day or week.