🧪 Nutrition Facts
- Calories 438.6
- Total Fat 24.0 g
- Saturated Fat 10.0 g
- Cholesterol 51.0 mg
- Sodium 1220.6 mg
- Potassium 523.6 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 41.0 g
- Dietary Fiber 2.0 g
- Sugars 7.0 g
- Protein 18.0 g
- 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 343.4 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
At 438.6 calories per serving (1 Serving (340.0g)), Classic Macaroni & Cheese is a high-calorie food — portion size matters if you're monitoring your daily intake. The majority of its calories come from fat (24.0g, 47.8% of calories), including 10.0g of saturated fat. One thing to note: a single serving contains 1220.6mg of sodium (53% of the daily recommended limit), which is significant if you're watching your salt intake.
🏷️ Diet & Nutrition Tags
Tags are generated automatically from USDA nutrition data using standard dietary thresholds. They are for general guidance only and are not medical advice.
📝 Ingredients
Cooked Macaroni (semolina Wheat Flour [enriched with Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Egg White), Whole Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (cheddar and Colby Cheese [pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Skim Milk, Milk Fat, Salt, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gum), Cheddar Club Cheese (cheddar Cheese [pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Salt, Annatto Color), Margarine (liquid and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Contains Less than 2% of Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Vitamin a Palmitate Added), Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Annatto Color, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Sodium Benzoate (preservative).
🔬 Ingredient Analysis
Artificial Preservatives: Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Emulsifiers / Stabilisers: Carrageenan, Mono And Diglycerides, Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Lecithin, Soy Lecithin, Modified Corn Starch
Flavour Enhancers: Artificial Flavor
Fortification / Enrichment Agents: Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin A Palmitate
Detected additives are based on the ingredient list in the USDA Food Central Database. Always read the full product label as formulations can change. Presence of these ingredients does not necessarily indicate a health risk — consult a healthcare professional for personalised dietary advice. Fortification agents are synthetic vitamins or minerals added to restore nutrients lost during processing or to boost nutritional content. They are added for public health reasons and are widely considered safe.
🤖 AI Nutrition Coach
AI POWEREDAsk anything about Classic Macaroni & Cheese — how it fits your diet, what to pair it with, or how it compares nutritionally.
📊 % Daily Value
The following shows how one serving of Classic Macaroni & Cheese contributes to the recommended daily intake for key nutrients, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 438.6 kcal | 21.9% |
| Total Fat | 24.0 g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 10.0 g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 51.0 mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 1220.6 mg | 53% ⚠️ |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.0 g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% |
| Total Sugars | 7.0 g | 14% |
| Protein | 18.0 g | 36% ✅ |
| Calcium | 343.4 mg | 26% ✅ |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 523.6 mg | 11% |
* 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
Classic Macaroni & Cheese accounts for 21.9% of a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet per serving. The majority of the calories for this food comes from fat. Fat makes up 47.8% of the calories.
🏃 Exercise Burn Time
How long would it take to burn off the 438.6 calories in Classic Macaroni & Cheese? The table below shows burn time for a 170-pound person doing common exercises.
| Exercise | Minutes to Burn |
|---|---|
| Running: 10 minutes per mile | 33.2 min |
| Walking: 17 minutes per mile | 75.7 min |
| Cycling (Low Intensity) | 48.0 min |
| HIIT | 40.6 min |
| Swimming (Moderate Intensity) | 39.4 min |
Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.
💬 Nutrition Q&A: Classic Macaroni & Cheese
Is Classic Macaroni & Cheese good for weight loss?
This dish is calorie-dense at 439 calories per serving, making it challenging for weight loss goals. The combination of refined carbs, saturated fat, and relatively modest fiber means it won't keep you full for long, so you'd likely need to eat a smaller portion or pair it with vegetables to make it work in a weight loss plan.
Is Classic Macaroni & Cheese good for muscle building?
With 18g of protein per serving, it provides a decent protein contribution, though it's not optimized for muscle building since the calorie-to-protein ratio is fairly high. You'd get better results pairing this with additional lean protein sources or choosing a higher-protein main dish.
Is Classic Macaroni & Cheese good post-workout fuel?
While it contains some protein and carbs, this isn't ideal post-workout fuel because the carbs come mainly from refined grains rather than fast-digesting options, and the fat content may slow absorption. You'd be better served with something like pasta with lean protein and a simpler sauce, or rice with chicken.
How might Classic Macaroni & Cheese affect blood sugar?
The refined wheat pasta and low fiber content (only 2g) mean this will cause a fairly quick blood sugar spike. The 7g of added sugar and lack of whole grains make it a high-glycemic choice that won't provide sustained energy.
What should I watch out for with Classic Macaroni & Cheese?
The sodium content is notably high at 1,221mg per serving—over half the daily recommended limit in a single portion. Additionally, the refined grains and added sugars mean this lacks significant fiber and whole-grain nutrition, and the saturated fat from cheese and margarine contributes 10g per serving.
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.
