Here’s Why You Should Be Wary Of Your California Roll

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California rolls are like a portal into the sushi world for beginners. They’re about the easiest thing to order on a sushi menu and people can’t seem to stay away. I mean, what’s not to love about cucumber, avocado and crab meat, right? If you come across a sushi restaurant that uses real crab you’ve hit the jackpot, but most California rolls are made with imitation crab, a mass-produced and low-cost ingredient to be cautious of.

Here’s why you should be concerned. 

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Imitation crab is made up of a type of fish called surimi (which translates to “ground meat” in Japanese). It’s a paste made from fish or other meat that comes in many shapes, forms and textures. Surimi is often used to resemble the texture and color of crab and lobster and it costs way less than real seafood. It’s sold in the U.S. in the form of crab sticks with an orange-reddish outer layer and a white inside. Fake crab meat is usually highly processed and industrialized. The “crab” that you see in your California rolls is actually a mix of different fish like Pacific Whiting and Alaskan Pollack. In order to strip the fish of their natural color and smell, they’re washed repeatedly, drained, mixed with starch, artificial flavors, sugar, sodium and often MSG. It’s been said that imitation crab is like the hot dog of the seafood world.

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On the bright side, imitation crab is low in calories so it’s ideal for a low-cholesterol diet, and it contains a healthy amount of Phosphorus, which plays a role in the health of your bones and teeth, helps with the proper function of your kidneys and muscles, keeps your heart beating regularly and supports healthy nerve function. Aside from Phosphorus, the biggest drawback is the amount of salt they contain. SFGate explains, “a 3-ounce serving of imitation crab meat contains 715 milligrams of sodium.”

It seems a little odd that the fake stuff is used on sushi menus throughout the world, but it all comes down to cost. Real crab meat, while a little on the pricey side,  has about double the amount of potassium and protein as imitation crab with none of the extra fillers. Overall, eating a California roll won’t kill you, but everything in moderation. If you’re looking for real seafood, try something a little more authentic.