Question:
Is crab salad a good meal?

Is a crab salad made with imitation crab, peas, celery, ring macaroni, and fat free mayo, and mustard a good meal choice?    — Mini Gadget (posted on February 17, 2004)

February 17, 2004
Hi there! I wish I could tell you it's a great choice, because I miss my seafood salad! I did research this though, and found that the imitation crab meat is VERY high in carbs, which would cause me to dump for sure. That's before you even get to the ring macaroni. I initially assumed that, like real fish, the imitation crab meat would be a low carb choice, but I really got an unwelcome surprise. Hope this helps! Jennifer
   — Jennifer K.

February 18, 2004
I am so but NO. Buy real crab instead. Either fresh or canned would be much better in terms of calories and carbs. The salad you mentioned will be high in carbs. Also, depending how far out ...you might not want the empty calories and high carbs of the pasta. I am glad you asked your question. I bet you helped other folks too. Good luck. Ann in TX 423/414/282/140
   — Ann B.

February 18, 2004
I disagree. No particular food item in and of itself is "bad" (unless it makes you sick of course.) Having a salad like this which you like in your meal rotation is ok, IMHO. If you had this very often, I'd think differently. My "often" lunches are lunchmeat and cheese and some shrimp on 4 crakers with carrots/tomatoes/celery/cucumber/raisins on the side and to snack on for the afternoon. That as an "often" meal is ok. I even make Kraft mac & Cheese - I don't put in all the noodles - and I add tuna. It is a higher calorie meal, but has protein, and takes care of my mac & cheese things. The deal is, I don't do this every week - every other or every third. So no particular thing, in moderation, is bad. And I eat the artificial crab as well. This isn't a surgery to make you eat Atkins. It is just generally important to not live on carbs and sweets anymore, and to watch your portions, and to focus on protein and fruits/veg. Our nutritionist isn't even having us count fat grams, carbs, or calories. She wants us to just learn to eat balanced. I do count calories, because I tend toward too many higher calorie items and treats, so it keeps me focused . . . but I say, have this for lunch. Make a small batch, have it last you 3 meals over 2 or 3 days . . . just keep it in focus in terms of everything you eat! Good luck.
   — Calleigh Q.

February 18, 2004
Any food high in protein is good for you. I don't happen to know the protein content of imitation crab off hand but real crab is chock full of protein as is all seafood. Having some macaroni is OK too as long as you keep that amount small and mostly concentrate on the protein part of the meal. Go light on the mayo too. Fat free is not the issue, the calories are. We do not absorb all the fat so look more for the lower calorie dressings.
   — Cindy R.