Ahhhhh! Long, hot summer days. A perfect time to feature Phillips crab meat in the diet to help achieve that beach-beautiful body. Phillips crab is a delicious source of lean, high quality protein with 11 g. protein in each 2 oz. portion. The average person needs about 1 g. high-quality protein per every kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of body weight per day. So, a meal featuring crab meat can provide at least 15% of a person’s daily high-quality protein needs.

Phillips crab meat is also high in zinc, an essential mineral that performs many functions in the body, including promoting a healthy immune system and proper wound healing. Zinc is important to support normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence.

Crab meat is a great source of Vitamin B12, a water-soluble vitamin that is mostly found in foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy. Vitamin B12 helps the body form red blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. It also plays an important role in the cell division process during DNA synthesis.

A few healthful recipe ideas:

• Top a homemade or store bought mixed green salad with a couple of spoonfuls of crab meat to create a cool and refreshing meal that is a lot higher protein than just greens. Choose a lower fat or fat-free dressing to keep the salad lower in fat and Calories.
• Boost the nutritional content of a favorite high fiber legume-based soup with a few spoonfuls of crab meat. Soups, such as split pea, black bean, lentil, or even Italian pasta and bean soup, are often low in fat, yet hearty and filling.