Clamato is a popular tomato-based drink that is often used as a mixer in cocktails. This mixer was named Clamato because of its blend of tomato and clam juice. This beverage was first developed in the late 1960s as a refreshing drink that was beloved by farmers in California. This beverage is now often used as the go-to mixer in popular Mexican drinks, such as the Bloody Caesar and the Michelado. However, is this sweet and salty juice gluten-free?
Yes, Clamato is gluten free, as there are no gluten-containing ingredients in it. However, it does not mean Clamato is healthy. Clamato contains high levels of sodium, as well as containing high fructose corn syrup and monosodium glutamate. The best healthy and gluten-free alternatives to Clamato include Mott’s Tomato Juice, V8, and Campbell’s Tomato Juice.
Throughout this article, we will discuss the nutritional information for Clamato’s products and its questionable ingredients. We will also review some better alternative brands, such as V8, Mott’s, and Campbell’s.
Contents
Is Clamato Healthy?
The Food and Drug Administration requires that ingredients on a food label are placed in order of highest concentration. Well, when you take a look at Clamato’s ingredients list, you will see that two of the items at the top of the list are Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).
Monosodium Glutamate
You have probably heard of this additive, due to its frequent correlation with fast-casual Chinese food restaurants. MSG is a flavor enhancer that has been generally recognized as safe by the FDA. But, some individuals are extremely sensitive to this substance. Many people experience negative side effects when consuming this flavor enhancer. Some common side effects include headaches, nausea, flushing, chest pain, and sweating. Thus, anyone who has a history of sensitivity to MSG should steer clear of Clamato products. MSG is the fourth ingredient listed on the label, just under high fructose corn syrup.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
This additive has created a lot of buzz and controversy throughout recent years, especially with sugar-sweetened beverages. It has been found that consuming one sugar-sweetened drink, specifically those with HFCS, per day increases the risk for obesity by 60%. High fructose corn syrup has been found to increase fat production in the body. Moreover, HFCS is listed as the third ingredient of predominance in Clamato’s ingredient list!
Sodium
Along with containing High Fructose Corn Syrup and Monosodium glutamate, Clamato is also extremely high in sodium. One 8 oz serving of Clamato contains about 800mg sodium. The daily recommended value of sodium per day is 2300mg, thus, one glass of Clamato is already more than a third of your daily allowance. Clamato also does not offer a low sodium alternative, unlike V8.
Can I make my own homemade Clamato?
Yes, you can! And you can combine the clam and tomato flavors to get that classic Clamato taste, but without the artificial additives. An easy recipe for a better at-home Clamato is listed below.
- 2 11.5-fl. oz. cans of reduced-sodium tomato juice
- 2 8-fl. oz. bottles of clam juice
- ¼ tsp celery salt
- ¼ tsp chili pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 splash of Tabasco sauce
Clamato Nutritional Facts
Clamato Original
Ingredients:
- Water
- Tomato concentrate
- High fructose corn syrup
- Monosodium glutamate
- Salt
- Citric acid
- Spices
- Onion and garlic powder
- Ascorbic acid
- Dried clam broth
- Vinegar
- Natural flavors
- Red 40
- Red chili pepper
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 4%
- Vitamin C: 4%
Clamato Picante
Ingredients:
- Water
- Tomato Concentrate
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Salt
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Spices
- Onion Powder
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
- Garlic Powder
- Jalapeno Pepper Puree
- Ascorbic Acid (to Maintain Color)
- Vinegar
- Dried Clam Broth
- Red 40
- Red Chili Pepper
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 8%
- Vitamin C: 4%
Clamato Michelada
Ingredients:
- Water
- Tomato Concentrate
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Salt
- Citric Acid
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Spices, Onion And Garlic Powder
- Jalapeno Pepper Puree
- Vinegar, Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Chipotle Pepper Puree
- Natural Flavors
- Ascorbic Acid To Maintain Color
- Dried Clam Broth
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
- Red 40
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 6%
- Vitamin C: 4%
Clamado Sweet & Spicy
Ingredients:
- Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Tomato Concentrate
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Salt
- Citric Acid
- Mango Puree Concentrate
- Spices
- Onion Powder
- Jalapeno Pepper Puree
- Chili Pepper Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Ascorbic Acid To Maintain Color
- Natural Flavors
- Dried Clam Broth
- Red 40
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Potassium: 180mg
Better Alternatives to Clamato (Gluten-Free)
V8
V8 Vegetable Juice is the original plant-powered drink. V8 is an easy way to obtain a dose of veggies in your diet. One 11.5 oz can of V8 equates to 2 servings of vegetables. There is also no added sugar or artificial colors. V8 also has a reduced-sodium alternative available as well.
Not only are the ingredients in V8 superior to Clamato, but its micronutrient content is also superb. One cup of original V8 meets 30% of the daily value for Vitamin A and 110% of the Daily Value for vitamin C.
Ingredients:
- Vegetable Juice, (Water And Concentrated Juices Of Tomatoes, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach)
- Salt
- Natural Flavoring
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Beta Carotene
- Citric Acid
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 920mg, 200mg in the lower sodium option
- Total Carbohydrate: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 3g
- Potassium: 680mg
- Vitamin A: 30% DV
- Vitamin C: 110% DV
Mott’s Tomato Juice
Mott’s tomato juice is also a great source of nutrition, with no sugar added and no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Tomato Concentrate
- Salt
- Ascorbic Acid
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 770mg
- Potassium: 590
- Total Carbohydrate: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 20% DV
- Vitamin C: 60% DV
Campbell’s Tomato Juice
With only three simple ingredients, you can’t go wrong! Campbell’s is another great option for tomato juice that is natural and nutritious.
Ingredients:
- Tomato Juice From Concentrate (Water And Concentrated Juices Of Tomatoes)
- Salt
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Nutritional Information (per 8 fl oz):
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Potassium: 460mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 6% DV
- Vitamin C: 80% DV
Related Questions
Is Clamato Vegan?
Because of the presence of clams, clam broth, and/or clam powder in Clamato’s products, they are not considered Vegan. If you are looking for another alternative for vegan tomato juice, the other products mentioned throughout this article are all vegan and gluten-free.
Is Clamato juice good for Diabetes?
No, Clamato juice would not be a good option for individuals with diabetes. Due to Clamato’s addition of high fructose corn syrup, it would be best to stay away from this beverage. However, the other alternatives listed that have no sugar added would be a great option.