🧪 Nutrition Facts
- 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
- 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
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: 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.
🤖 AI Nutrition Coach
AI POWEREDAsk anything about Mac & Cheese Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce — how it fits your diet, what to pair it with, or how it compares nutritionally.
📊 % 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 319.7 kcal | 16% |
| Total Fat | 12.0 g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6.0 g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 29.9 mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 779.7 mg | 34% ⚠️ |
| Total Carbohydrate | 42.0 g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 7% |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | 8% |
| Protein | 12.0 g | 24% |
| Calcium | 209.3 mg | 16% |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 190.9 mg | 4% |
* 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.
🏃 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 |
| Kettebell Swings | 24.2 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.