Background The most commonly caught and sold species is the red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus). According to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, the best meat of the king crab is in the legs. Unlike other crabs, king crabs have only six legs (versus eight). The body of the crab offers little meat and usually goes to canners. King crabs were plentiful until the early 1980s. Then came a shortage caused by water temperature changes and other environmental conditions. Since then, the price has more than doubled and they are less available. Nutrition Basics An Alaskan king crab leg (134g) cooked and served plain, provides 130 calories, 2.1g of fat, .2g of saturated fat, and zero trans fat, carbohydrate, sugar and dietary fiber. One leg of the aforementioned serving size provides about 26g of protein, making it an excellent source of protein, though it is…
