Tag: Crab stick

According to Healthline, imitation crab is a highly processed food often referred to as the 'hot dog of the sea' due to its composition of minced fish paste, fillers, and additives. This raises the question: is crab stick unhealthy or can it be a part of a balanced diet?

An estimated 2 to 3 million tons of fish worldwide are used to produce surimi-based products, like crab sticks, annually. The prevalence of this affordable seafood substitute in sushi raises questions for health-conscious consumers about whether it offers the same nutritional benefits as its real crab counterpart.

According to nutritional data, imitation crab contains less than one gram of total fat per 100g serving, making it a low-fat food choice. This may surprise many who assume processed seafood is unhealthy, but the low fat content of imitation crab is a consistent nutritional fact.

Alaska pollock, the primary ingredient in surimi-based products like crab sticks, is a white fish with consistently low mercury levels. Because of this, consumers can generally be reassured when asking: is crab stick high in mercury?