Littleneck clams typically refer to the second-smallest hard-shelled clams that it is legal to harvest. Hard-shelled clams, also known as hard clams or round clams, are an edible mollusk native to the shores of eastern North America. Littleneck clams are more tender than larger varieties; the smaller the littleneck clam is, the less chewy it is likely to be. They are kept alive until the point of cooking; when the clam is cooked, its shell opens. Always discard clams that do not open when cooked.
Serving Size
One serving of cooked littleneck clams is 3 ounces, which is about 12 medium-sized clams. When you weigh the littleneck clams to determine one serving, do so without their shells for an accurate measurement. If you do not have a kitchen scale, 12 medium littlenecks is roughly accurate. However, the exact nutritional information may vary slightly if the actual weight is more or less than 3 ounces.
Calories and Carbohydrates
One serving of littleneck clams has about 100 calories, which is 5 percent of an average daily caloric intake of 2,000 calories. As long as you adhere to the serving size, littleneck clams do not contribute much to calorie consumption, and you could easily fit them into a low-calorie diet plan. One serving of littleneck clams contains no carbohydrates.
Fat and Cholesterol
Approximately 2 grams of fat, or 3 percent of the average daily intake of 67 grams of fat, are in one serving of littleneck clams. One serving also contains about 55 milligrams of cholesterol, or 18 percent of the maximum recommended intake of 300 milligrams. Consuming littleneck clams on a regular basis does not contribute much to fat consumption, but they do represent a high level of cholesterol. Overeating could quickly lead to more than one day’s worth of cholesterol if you had six servings, or 18 ounces, of littleneck clams.
Protein
At 22 grams per serving, littleneck clams are a great source of protein. According to MayoClinic.com, the recommended daily intake for protein is no less than 50 grams. This means that one serving of littleneck clams has about 44 percent of the average daily requirement for protein. If you have not consumed an adequate level of protein in a day, a single serving of littleneck clams can make it much easier to reach your nutritional goals.
Considerations
Littleneck clams are a low-calorie, low-fat, high-protein food, but they unfortunately contain a high amount of cholesterol. Most American diets already contain too much cholesterol for a healthy heart. If you keep your cholesterol in check by limiting consumption to no more than 300 milligrams per day, littleneck clams are not bad for your health. And always consider the other ingredients, such as dairy and oil, in a recipe with littleneck clams when determining if a dish is healthful. Calories, fat and cholesterol add up quickly. A healthy way to prepare littleneck clams without added calories is to place them in a pot with about 1/2 an inch of simmering water. Cover the pot and cook them until they open. You can flavor the water with aromatic vegetables, such as onions, shallots and garlic, to create a healthy and tasty broth.
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