I’m going to be honest with you. When I first read about what Mark Cuban eats for lunch every day, I thought it was a joke. Canned baby clams. On an egg white wrap. Drizzled with honey. That’s it. That’s the meal. His own 16-year-old son Jake literally leaves the kitchen when his dad makes it because the smell is that bad.
But here’s the thing — I made it. I ate it. And I’m writing about it now because it actually works as a meal, even if the combination sounds like something you’d come up with at 2 a.m. after a few drinks. Cuban himself calls it “disgusting” but says it’s packed with protein and gets the job done. The 67-year-old billionaire, who’s been laser-focused on longevity and anti-aging in recent years, shared the recipe on Peloton VP Robin Arzón’s podcast Project Swagger. And the internet lost its mind.
So let’s talk about it — what it tastes like, whether you should actually try it, and how to make it less weird if the original version makes you want to run out of the room like Jake Cuban.
What Exactly Is This Thing
Three ingredients. That’s all Cuban uses. A can of baby clams — the kind you can grab at Walmart or Kroger for about $2 — goes onto an egg white wrap, and then he hits it with a drizzle of honey. He wraps it up and eats it. According to his interview, a serving of canned baby clams runs about 80 calories and 14 grams of protein, and each egg white wrap adds roughly 50 calories and 11 grams of protein. That’s around 25 grams of protein in a single meal that takes maybe 90 seconds to assemble.
Cuban tracks everything he eats on MyFitnessPal, which makes sense for a guy who gets his blood tested every three to six months and then feeds the results to an AI tool for analysis. He shifted from a vegetarian diet to pescatarian specifically to boost his iron levels, and canned clams happen to be one of the most iron-dense foods you can buy at a regular grocery store. The honey? That’s just there to make the whole thing tolerable and to give him a quick hit of carbs for energy.
I Made It So You Don’t Have To (But Maybe You Should)
Let me walk you through my experience. I picked up a can of Crown Prince baby clams at my local grocery store and a package of Crepini egg white wraps, which are thin, flexible, and sold near the deli or refrigerated section at most stores. Any egg white wrap works — just check the protein count on the label.
I drained the clams, spread them across the wrap, and squeezed a generous line of honey over the top. Then I rolled it up and took a bite. The smell is real, by the way. If you’ve ever opened a can of clams, you know that briny, oceanic hit that fills the room. It’s not subtle. My wife walked through the kitchen and asked if the cat had gotten into something.
The taste, though? It’s honestly not bad. The clams are tender and mild — nothing like the chewy, rubbery clams you might get at a bad seafood restaurant. The egg white wrap is basically neutral, just a vehicle. And the honey does a surprising amount of heavy lifting. That sweet-salty-briny combination actually has something going on. Is it good? I’d say it’s interesting. Would I crave it? Probably not. Would I eat it again on a busy Tuesday when I need protein and don’t feel like cooking? Absolutely.
How To Make It Less Weird
Cuban’s food philosophy, which he’s apparently told his three kids their whole lives, is simple: if you like one thing and you like another thing and put them together, you’re going to like it even more. That’s charming, but it also explains why he’s cool eating canned clams with honey and calling it a day. Most of us need a little more persuasion.
Here’s what I’d add. A squeeze of lemon juice completely changes the dynamic. The acid cuts through the brininess and makes the whole wrap taste cleaner and brighter. One commenter online suggested going Italian with olive oil, garlic, and lemon, which is basically just clams casino in wrap form. That version is legitimately good.
A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it some heat that plays nicely with the honey. A small handful of arugula or baby spinach adds the kind of fiber and vegetables that nutrition experts say Cuban’s version is missing. You could also swap the honey for a thin layer of sweet chili sauce if you want more complexity without extra effort. Hot sauce — regular old Cholula or Tapatio — also works well here.
The Protein Math Actually Checks Out
One reason this meal caught people’s attention is how efficient it is. For roughly 130 calories and almost zero prep time, you’re getting 25 grams of protein. That’s comparable to a full chicken breast, without turning on a stove or waiting for anything to cook. If you’re someone who tracks macros or just wants to hit a protein target without thinking too hard, this is a legitimate option.
Cuban does an hour of cardio six to seven days a week and has been known to bench press 300 pounds, so the guy clearly needs to fuel himself. He also eats cornflakes with honey for breakfast, which tells you his overall approach to food is function over form. He’s not trying to impress anybody with this stuff. He’s trying to get specific nutrients into his body as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Compare that to someone like Warren Buffett, who famously drinks five Coca-Colas a day and eats McDonald’s for breakfast every morning. Buffett once said he’d give up a year of his life rather than eat healthier foods. Two billionaires, two completely opposite approaches to what goes in their mouths. Cuban is crunching numbers in MyFitnessPal. Buffett is pulling out McDonald’s coupons in Hong Kong.
Common Mistakes If You Try This
If you’re going to give the Cuban Clam Wrap a shot, here are a few things to keep in mind. First, drain the clams well. I mean really well. Tip the can, press them gently with a fork, and let them sit on a paper towel for a minute. If you dump them straight from the can onto the wrap with all that liquid, you’ll end up with a soggy mess that falls apart before you can take a second bite.
Second, don’t go overboard with the honey. A light drizzle is all you need — maybe a teaspoon or so. Too much and it becomes cloyingly sweet and the whole thing turns into a sticky disaster. You want just enough to round out the salt from the clams and add that little carb burst that Cuban talks about.
Third, eat it right away. This is not a meal-prep situation. Clams sitting in a wrap for four hours in a lunchbox are going to get funky in a way that no amount of honey can fix. Make it, eat it, move on with your day.
Variations Worth Trying
Once you get past the initial shock of the original, there are a few directions you can take this. The Italian version I mentioned — olive oil, minced garlic, lemon, maybe some fresh parsley — turns it into something you’d actually serve to another person without apologizing first. Use a regular flour tortilla if you don’t care about the extra calories.
An Asian-inspired version works too. Swap the honey for a drizzle of sriracha mayo, add some thinly sliced cucumber and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The clams already have that seafood-forward flavor that works well with soy sauce, so a tiny splash of that with some rice vinegar would be right at home.
For a Southwestern take, try a spoonful of salsa or pico de gallo, a few slices of avocado, and a squeeze of lime instead of the honey. The creaminess of the avocado pairs really well with the tender clams, and the lime keeps everything tasting fresh.
And if you really can’t stomach clams at all, canned sardines or smoked oysters give you a similar protein-and-iron punch with a different flavor profile. They’re just as cheap and just as easy to find at any American grocery store.
Should You Actually Eat This
Look, nobody is going to tell you that canned clams on an egg white wrap with honey is the pinnacle of eating. But Cuban isn’t wrong about the efficiency. It’s fast, it’s cheap, it’s packed with protein and iron, and it doesn’t require you to cook a single thing. For busy people who need a quick lunch between meetings or after a workout, it fills a very specific gap.
The biggest criticism from nutrition experts is what’s missing — there are no vegetables, no fiber, no real micronutrient diversity beyond the iron and protein. Adding a handful of greens or some tomato slices would go a long way toward making this a more complete meal. Cuban himself is clearly getting those nutrients elsewhere in his day, between his vegetarian leanings, his vitamin D and E supplements, and his obsessive blood testing.
My honest take: try it once. The original, exactly as Cuban makes it. You’ll either think it’s surprisingly decent or you’ll understand exactly why Jake Cuban leaves the room. Either way, you’ll have spent about $3 and two minutes of your life. There are worse bets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What brand of canned baby clams does Mark Cuban use?
A: Cuban hasn’t specified a brand. Any canned baby clams from your grocery store will work — Crown Prince, Bumble Bee, and Sea Watch are common options. Just look for whole baby clams packed in water, not clam juice or oil, and drain them thoroughly before using.
Q: Where can I find egg white wraps at the store?
A: Egg white wraps are usually in the refrigerated deli or specialty diet section, not with the regular tortillas. Crepini is one of the most widely available brands and can be found at Costco, Target, and Walmart. Some stores also carry them near the eggs. Each wrap has about 50 calories and 11 grams of protein.
Q: Can I heat the clam wrap up or is it eaten cold?
A: Cuban appears to eat it at room temperature straight from the can, but you can absolutely warm the clams briefly in a microwave for 20-30 seconds or give them a quick toss in a hot skillet. Warming them slightly can reduce that strong briny smell that drives people out of the kitchen. Don’t overcook them or they’ll turn rubbery.
Q: Is this wrap actually a complete meal or just a snack?
A: At roughly 130 calories and 25 grams of protein, it’s more of a high-protein snack than a full meal for most adults. If you want to turn it into a proper lunch, add some greens, avocado, or a side of fruit. Cuban seems to treat it as his main midday food, but he also supplements his diet with vitamins and tracks his nutrition closely throughout the day.
Mark Cuban’s Canned Clam and Honey Protein Wrap
Course: LunchCuisine: American1
servings3
minutes145
kcalThe bizarre three-ingredient wrap a billionaire eats every single day — 25 grams of protein, no cooking required.
Ingredients
1 can (6.5 oz) baby clams, drained
1 egg white wrap
1 teaspoon honey
1 small squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Small handful of arugula or baby spinach (optional)
Pinch of salt (optional, taste first)
1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for Italian variation)
1 small clove garlic, minced (optional, for Italian variation)
Directions
- Open the can of baby clams and drain the liquid thoroughly. Tip the can over the sink and press gently with a fork to remove excess moisture. Place the drained clams on a folded paper towel and pat them dry for about 30 seconds to absorb any remaining brine.
- Lay your egg white wrap flat on a clean cutting board or plate. If you’re adding optional greens like arugula or spinach, place a thin layer down the center of the wrap first. This creates a bed that helps absorb any remaining liquid from the clams.
- Spread the drained baby clams evenly down the center of the wrap, leaving about an inch of space on each end so you can fold it closed. Try to distribute them in a single layer rather than piling them up — this makes the wrap easier to roll and eat without everything falling out.
- Drizzle approximately 1 teaspoon of honey over the clams in a thin, even line. Go light here — you can always add more, but too much honey makes the wrap overly sweet and sticky. The honey should complement the saltiness of the clams, not overpower them.
- If using optional additions, add them now. A squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil with minced garlic all work well. Keep additions minimal — this is meant to be a fast, simple meal, not a project.
- Fold the bottom edge of the wrap up over the filling, then tuck in both sides. Roll the wrap away from you tightly, keeping even pressure so the filling stays in place. If the egg white wrap cracks slightly, that’s normal — they’re thinner and less flexible than flour tortillas.
- Slice the wrap in half diagonally with a sharp knife if you prefer, or just eat it whole. Eat immediately — this wrap does not hold well and should not be saved for later. The clams will make the wrap soggy within 30 minutes.
- Clean up your workspace right away and toss the empty clam can. The smell lingers, so a quick wipe-down of the counter and a rinse of the cutting board will keep your kitchen from smelling like a fishing dock for the rest of the afternoon.
Notes
- Canned baby clams vary by brand. Crown Prince and Bumble Bee are widely available at most American grocery stores. Look for clams packed in water, not oil or broth, for the cleanest flavor and lowest calorie count.
- If you can’t find egg white wraps, a small low-carb tortilla works as a substitute, though the protein count will be lower. Crepini egg white wraps are sold at Costco, Target, and Walmart and are the closest match to what Cuban describes.
- This wrap is meant to be eaten at room temperature. If the smell of room-temperature clams bothers you, warm them in a skillet for 60 seconds over medium heat before assembling. This reduces the smell and gives the clams a slightly firmer texture.
