Calories in Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce

📏 Serving Size: 1 Serving (230.0g)

🧪 Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
  • Calories 319.7
  • Total Fat 12.0 g
  • Saturated Fat 6.0 g
  • Cholesterol 29.9 mg
  • Sodium 779.7 mg
  • Potassium 190.9 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 42.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 2.1 g
  • Sugars 4.0 g
  • Protein 12.0 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 209.3 mg
  • Copper 0.0 mg
  • Folate 0.0 µg
  • Iron 2.2 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 319.7 calories per serving (1 Serving (230.0g)), Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce is a high-calorie food — portion size matters if you're monitoring your daily intake. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source at 42.0g per serving (51.8% of calories), with a good 2.1g of dietary fiber. One thing to note: a single serving contains 779.7mg of sodium (34% of the daily recommended limit), which is significant if you're watching your salt intake.

🏷️ Diet & Nutrition Tags

⚠️ High Sodium

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

📝 Ingredients

Cheese Sauce (water, Milk [vitamin D Added], Cheddar Cheese [cheddar Cheese {pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto Color}, Natamycin {a Mold Inhibitor}], Cheddar Club Cheese [cheddar Cheese {milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes}, Water, Salt, Annatto Color], Cheese Sauce Mix [whey, Food Starch-Modified, Natural Flavors, Cheddar Cheese {milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes}, Buttermilk Solids, Palm Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk, Salt, Sweet Cream Solids, Contains Less than 2%: Sodium Alginate, Sodium Phosphate, Yeast Extract, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Citrate, Guar Gum, Extracts of Paprika, Annatto, and Turmeric {color}], Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Salted Butter [cream, Salt], Highly Refined Soybean Oil, Food Starch-Modified, Salt, Sodium Phosphates), Cooked Macaroni (water, Enriched Semolina [durum Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).

🔬 Ingredient Analysis

⚠️ Artificial Preservatives ⚠️ Emulsifiers / Stabilisers ⚠️ Flavour Enhancers ℹ️ Fortified / Enriched

Artificial Preservatives: Natamycin

Emulsifiers / Stabilisers: Guar Gum, Sodium Alginate

Flavour Enhancers: Yeast Extract

Fortification / Enrichment Agents: Ferrous Sulfate, Reduced Iron, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid

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.

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📊 % Daily Value

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

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories319.7 kcal16%
Total Fat12.0 g15%
Saturated Fat6.0 g30%
Cholesterol29.9 mg10%
Sodium779.7 mg34% ⚠️
Total Carbohydrate42.0 g15%
Dietary Fiber2.1 g7%
Total Sugars4.0 g8%
Protein12.0 g24%
Calcium209.3 mg16%
Iron2.2 mg12%
Potassium190.9 mg4%

* 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

Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce accounts for 16% of a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet per serving. The majority of the calories for this food comes from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates make up 51.8% of the calories.

Fat 33.3%
Carbs 51.8%
Fat 33.3% Carbs 51.8% Protein 14.8%

🏃 Exercise Burn Time

How long would it take to burn off the 319.7 calories in Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce? The table below shows burn time for a 170-pound person doing common exercises.

Exercise Minutes to Burn
Running: 10 minutes per mile 24.2 min
Walking: 17 minutes per mile 55.2 min
Cycling (Low Intensity) 35.0 min
HIIT 29.6 min
Walking: 19 minutes per mile 63.6 min

Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.

💬 Nutrition Q&A: Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce

Is Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce good for weight loss?

This dish is calorie-dense at 320 calories per serving, making it easy to overeat if portions aren't controlled. With only 12g of protein and 2.1g of fiber, it won't keep you feeling full for long, so you'd likely need to pair it with vegetables or lean protein to make it work in a weight loss plan.

Is Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce good for muscle building?

The 12g of protein per serving is modest—you'd need to combine this with additional protein sources to support muscle growth effectively. While it provides some amino acids, it's better used as a side dish rather than a main protein source.

Is Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce good post-workout fuel?

The carbs (42g) make this reasonable for replenishing glycogen after exercise, but the protein-to-carb ratio isn't ideal for optimal muscle recovery. You'd want to add a high-protein food like Greek yogurt or grilled chicken to make it a more effective post-workout meal.

How might Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce affect blood sugar?

With 4g of sugar and only 2.1g of fiber in refined carbohydrates, this will likely cause a moderate blood sugar spike. The net carbs are around 40g, which is substantial enough to affect blood sugar levels noticeably, especially if eaten on its own.

What should I watch out for with Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce?

The sodium content at 780mg per serving is significant, so be mindful if you're tracking salt intake or have hypertension. The saturated fat from the cheese sauce (6g) is also notable, and the processed ingredients mean you're getting additives like sodium phosphates and guar gum rather than whole foods.

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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Fruits Ranked by Calories: The Complete Guide Fruits Ranked by Calories: The Complete Guide

This is the complete reference guide to fruit nutrition — covering calories, sugar, fibre, and the best fruits for specific dietary goals. Use the links below to jump to the section most relevant to your needs, or browse the full rankings below. Complete Fruit Calorie Rankings Here are the most common fruits ranked by calories per 100g, from lowest to highest: Watermelon — 30 cal See nutrition Strawberries — 32 cal See nutrition Cantaloupe — 34 cal See nutrition Peach — 39 cal See nutrition Grapefruit — 42 cal See nutrition Blackberries — 43 cal See nutrition Orange — 47 cal See nutrition Pineapple — 50 cal See nutrition Apple — 52 cal See nutrition Raspberries — 52 cal See nutrition Blueberries — 57 cal See nutrition Dragon fruit — 60 cal See nutrition Mango — 60 cal See nutrition Kiwi — 61 cal See nutrition Cherries — 63 cal See nutrition Grapes — 67 cal See nutrition Banana — 89 cal See nutrition Avocado — 160 cal See nutrition Core Rankings Lowest Calorie Fruits Ranked — watermelon, strawberries, and raspberries lead the list Highest Calorie Fruits Ranked — avocado, banana, and mango top the list Fruits Ranked by Sugar Content — avocado and berries are lowest; banana and grapes are highest Fruits Ranked by Fiber Content — raspberries, blackberries, and avocado lead Best Fruits for Weight Loss — berries, grapefruit, and apple are the top choices Fresh vs Other Formats Fresh vs Frozen Fruit — nutritionally similar, frozen wins for out-of-season fruit Dried vs Fresh Fruit — dried fruit has 4-8x more calories per gram Fruit Juice vs Whole Fruit — whole fruit wins on fibre, satiety, and blood sugar impact Smoothie vs Whole Fruit — smoothies can contain 300-600 calories; whole fruit is more filling Diet and Use Case Low Sugar Fruits for Diabetics — berries, avocado, and grapefruit are the best choices Keto Friendly Fruits Ranked — avocado, raspberries, and blackberries fit keto macros Best Fruits Before a Workout — banana, mango, and watermelon are top choices Best Fruits After a Workout — tart cherries, banana, and blueberries lead for recovery Seasonal and Exotic Tropical Fruits Ranked by Calories — from 30-cal papaya to 160-cal avocado Summer Fruits Ranked by Calories — watermelon, strawberries, peaches, and cherries Winter Fruits Ranked by Calories — citrus, kiwi, pomegranate, and pears Dragon Fruit vs Kiwi — kiwi wins on vitamin C; dragon fruit wins on iron Fruit Comparisons For detailed side-by-side nutrition comparisons see: Apple vs Banana Blueberries vs Strawberries Avocado vs Apple Blueberries vs Banana Using Our Fruit Nutrition Tools Track your daily fruit intake with our Food Tracker.

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