Clams: A Summertime Favorite and Nutrition Powerhouse

As we prepare for another Memorial Day weekend, we all know that summer is practically here! Summertime calls for celebrations, from graduations to baseball games and family picnics to pool openings. The best food to cherish during these exciting times is clams.

 

Fun fact: clams can weigh up to 440 lbs and live to be as old as 500 years old.

Why should you bring these shellfish treats to your next family gathering? Clams offer a wide variety of health benefits alongside their versatile usages. This allows for them to be enjoyed steamed or in countless different recipes.

They are nutrient-rich shellfish with long-lasting benefits. Clams are one of the richest sources of B12, a vitamin that maintains nerve cell health and assists in making DNA and RNA. For example, 3.5 oz of clams (about 4 small clams) provide 824% of the reference daily intake (RDI) of B12, while 3.5 oz (about a ¼ pound) of 80% lean beef only provides 36%. Additionally, clams are also rich in iron and Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid providing mental and heart health benefits that can only be provided by food, demonstrating its importance in our diet. Salmon and other similar oily fish are some of the most-esteemed sources of Omega-3. Look for our Norwegian Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Wild Sockeye Salmon, Halibut, Rainbow Trout, and Tuna at Adelphia for more of our Omega-3 options.

You would be wrong if you thought the health benefits were done there. Clams pack a protein punch even in their small size. They have high protein density while also being low in calories–for those of us watching the poolside figures! Just 4-5 clams provide 12.8 grams of protein in only 74 calories, while 80% lean beef provides 17.0 grams in 272 calories. You don’t see those kinds of numbers every day!

 

Convenient for you, our Standard Clam Bakes are on sale for $13 each through Memorial Day Weekend (sale price valid until May, 29 2023). Celebrate and commemorate with a holiday favorite!

 

If you are looking to test out a new clam recipe, here are some of our favorites:

Clambake Instructions

Linguine and Clams

Clams Steamed Garlic and Olive Oil

Interested in learning more? Attached below is more information:

7 Benefits of Clams (and Full Nutrition Facts) – Nutrition Advance