Calories in Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese

📏 Serving Size: 1 Serving (71.0g)

🧪 Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
  • Calories 259.9
  • Total Fat 2.5 g
  • Saturated Fat 1.0 g
  • Cholesterol 5.0 mg
  • Sodium 509.8 mg
  • Potassium 19.9 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 50.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 0.0 g
  • Sugars 3.0 g
  • Protein 8.0 g
Vitamins & Minerals
  • Vitamin A 0.0 IU
  • Vitamin B-12 0.0 µg
  • Vitamin B-6 0.0 mg
  • Vitamin C 0.0 mg
  • Vitamin D 0.0 IU
  • Vitamin E 0.0 mg
  • Calcium 29.8 mg
  • Copper 0.0 mg
  • Folate 0.0 µg
  • Iron 2.0 mg
  • Magnesium 0.0 mg
  • Manganese 0.0 mg
  • Niacin 0.0 mg
  • Pantothenic Acid 0.0 mg
  • Phosphorus 0.0 mg
  • Riboflavin 0.0 mg
  • Thiamin 0.0 mg
  • Zinc 0.0 mg

Note: Nutrition information comes from the USDA Food Central Database. Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet (FDA). Actual requirements vary by individual. Use at your own risk.

📋 Nutrition Summary

With 259.9 calories per serving (1 Serving (71.0g)), Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese is a moderately calorie-dense food worth tracking if you're managing your intake. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source at 50.0g per serving (78.6% of calories). It contains 2.0mg of iron (11% DV), which plays a key role in oxygen transport and energy metabolism.

🏷️ Diet & Nutrition Tags

✅ Low Fat

Tags are generated automatically from USDA nutrition data using standard dietary thresholds. They are for general guidance only and are not medical advice.

📝 Ingredients

Organic Elbows (organic Durum Wheat Semolina), Aged Cheddar Cheese Seasoning (organic Maltodextrin, Organic Cheddar Cheese* [pasteurized Organic Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Salt, Organic Cream Powder [organic Cream, Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk, Vitamin E to Protect Flavor], Organic Wheat Flour, Organic Cornstarch, Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk, Natural Flavors, Contains 2% or Less of: Organic Sunflower Oil, Lactic Acid Powder, Sodium Phosphate, Organic Annatto Extract for Color, Silicon Dioxide [to Reduce Caking], Citric Acid).

🔬 Ingredient Analysis

✅ Clean Ingredients

No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colours, emulsifiers, flavour enhancers, or synthetic fortification agents were detected in the ingredient list for Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese. This does not guarantee the food is unprocessed or free from all additives — always read the full ingredient label.

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📊 % Daily Value

The following shows how one serving of Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese contributes to the recommended daily intake for key nutrients, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories259.9 kcal13%
Total Fat2.5 g3%
Saturated Fat1.0 g5%
Cholesterol5.0 mg2%
Sodium509.8 mg22%
Total Carbohydrate50.0 g18%
Total Sugars3.0 g6%
Protein8.0 g16%
Calcium29.8 mg2%
Iron2.0 mg11%
Potassium19.9 mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ✅ marks ≥20% DV (FDA "good source" threshold); ⭐ marks ≥100% DV (a full day's value).

🔥 Calorie Analysis

Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese accounts for 13% of a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet per serving. The majority of the calories for this food comes from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates make up 78.6% of the calories.

Carbs 78.6%
Fat 8.8% Carbs 78.6% Protein 12.6%

🏃 Exercise Burn Time

How long would it take to burn off the 259.9 calories in Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese? The table below shows burn time for a 170-pound person doing common exercises.

Exercise Minutes to Burn
Running: 10 minutes per mile 19.6 min
Walking: 17 minutes per mile 44.8 min
Cycling (Low Intensity) 28.4 min
HIIT 24.1 min
Zumba 33.3 min

Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.

💬 Nutrition Q&A: Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese

Is Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese good for weight loss?

At 260 calories per 71g serving with only 8g of protein, this mac and cheese is relatively calorie-dense for its protein content, making it less ideal for weight loss. The high carbohydrate-to-protein ratio means you won't feel as full for as long compared to higher-protein options.

Is Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese good for muscle building?

With just 8g of protein per serving, this dish falls short of what's needed to effectively support muscle growth and recovery. You'd need to pair it with additional protein sources to make it worthwhile for muscle-building goals.

Is Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese good fuel for endurance activities?

The 50g of carbs per serving can provide quick energy for endurance activities, but the low protein and modest portion size mean you'd want to pair it with protein and additional carbs for sustained fuel during longer efforts.

How might Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese affect blood sugar?

With 50g of carbs and only 3g of sugar from a refined grain base, this will cause a moderate to rapid rise in blood sugar. The lack of significant fiber means there's nothing to slow down digestion, so it may lead to a quicker energy spike and subsequent crash.

What should I watch out for with Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese?

The sodium content at 510mg per serving adds up quickly—just two servings approach a quarter of the daily limit. While the saturated fat is relatively low, the refined carbohydrates and added ingredients like maltodextrin and sodium phosphate mean this is a processed food best enjoyed occasionally rather than regularly.

Nutrition Q&A answers are based on USDA nutritional data and are for general informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional dietary or medical advice.

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