Soup, clam chowder, manhattan, canned, condensed
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
Manhattan clam chowder is a vibrant, tomato-based soup featuring tender clams, potatoes, celery, and onions. Its broth is thin and savory, with a bright, slightly tangy flavor from the tomatoes and a subtle brininess from the seafood. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie, light option, providing a modest amount of protein and carbs with minimal fat.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 63% carbs · 26% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its refreshing, savory-tangy flavor profile that cuts through richness, making it a satisfying yet light meal. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed as a starter, a main with crusty bread, or a base for other seafood dishes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Canned versions are often very high in sodium, which can be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure or fluid retention. To counteract this, look for low-sodium varieties, rinse the contents lightly, or balance the meal with potassium-rich foods like a side salad or steamed vegetables. It also contains common allergens like shellfish and may have added sugars.
Key benefits
- Low in calories and fat
- Good source of lean protein from clams
- Contains dietary fiber from vegetables
- Provides vitamins like vitamin C from tomatoes
- Lighter alternative to cream-based chowders
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Manhattan clam chowder's tomato base was likely inspired by Italian immigrants in New York, leading to a historic 'chowder war' with the traditional creamy New England version.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 84.3 g |
| Energy | 61.0 kcal |
| Energy | 255 kj |
| Protein | 1.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.8 g |
| Ash | 2.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 19.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 8.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 33.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 150 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 698 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.74 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.30 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 3.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.65 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.15 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 3.2 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 41.0 ug |
| Retinol | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 399 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 87.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 762 iu |
| Lycopene | 6426 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 27.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.30 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.24 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.30 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.29 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.96 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 g |
| Cholesterol | 2.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Soup, bean with pork, canned, condensed — USDA does not publish this profile for Soup.
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.29 g |
| Leucine | 0.48 g |
| Lysine | 0.40 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.33 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.18 g |
| Valine | 0.32 g |
| Arginine | 0.31 g |
| Histidine | 0.15 g |
| Alanine | 0.29 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.66 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.28 g |
| Proline | 0.27 g |
| Serine | 0.29 g |
FAQ
How is Manhattan clam chowder different from New England clam chowder?
Manhattan clam chowder has a clear, tomato-based broth with vegetables, while New England clam chowder is thick, creamy, and white, made with milk or cream and no tomatoes.
Is canned Manhattan clam chowder healthy?
It can be a light, low-calorie option, but canned versions are typically high in sodium. Choosing low-sodium labels and pairing it with fresh vegetables can make it a healthier choice.
What are the main ingredients in Manhattan clam chowder?
The core ingredients are clams, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, celery, and carrots, seasoned with herbs like thyme and bay leaf.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.61 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 1.2 g fiber · 2.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.65 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.