While crappie are well known for their great taste, what may surprise some is that they are also quite nutritious compared to many other fish. As part of the sunfish family, crappie offer many of the nutritional benefits that are found in freshwater fish and offer a little more in terms of overall health. What follows are some of the nutritional attributes of crappie.
Nutrition Facts of Crappie
Protein
Arguably the best reason why you should eat more crappie is the high amount of protein. Because almost all of what you consume from crappie is muscle tissue, the high amount of protein means that your muscles will get the building material needed to maintain proper tone. While fish in general is a good addition to the diet, the high amount of protein and good taste of crappie make it one of the best types of fish to add to your meals.
No Carbs
If you are looking to cut down on the amount of carbohydrates in your diet, then crappie is a good choice. There are no carbs to be found. This is not that surprising since fish in general have few, if any carbohydrates. Still, for those who are looking to switch up their diet by increasing the protein while reducing the carb intake, crappie is a good choice.
Fat Content
It is true that crappie are relatively high in fat at roughly 17% per 3 oz meal. It should be noted that the fat is healthy in nature which means that it does not have the same effect as trans fats on the body. When consumed in moderation, the fat content should not add to your body fat and even offers some Omega-3 fatty acids which is good for the circulatory system.
Calories
Although there are no carbs, crappie does have some calories with 103 per 3 oz. serving. That means you have to eat crappie in moderation to get all the benefits without absorbing too many calories. This means that for those who exercise and follow a healthy diet, crappie is the perfect choice for muscle-building while keeping away the unwanted fat.
Few, if any Contaminants
Perhaps the best reason to eat crappie is that they do not contain the contaminants that are found in other fish, especially carp and catfish. This is because crappie are carnivorous and eat smaller fish, crustaceans, insects, and even their own young. By staying off the bottom of the stream, river, lake, or pond, crappie avoid many of the contaminants that many other fish will consume. This does not mean that crappie are necessarily contaminant-free, but they are far less likely to have such unwanted elements present.
If you are looking to eat a delicious and nutritious meal, then crappie is a good choice. It may not have the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids of some other fish, but it does offer plenty of good protein, healthy fat, and has basically no carbohydrates. And of course, it has a sterling reputation for good taste which makes for a meal that you can enjoy again and again.
