🧪 Nutrition Facts
- Calories 259.7
- Total Fat 3.0 g
- Saturated Fat 1.5 g
- Cholesterol 9.8 mg
- Sodium 510.3 mg
- Potassium 0.0 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 48.0 g
- Dietary Fiber 1.0 g
- Sugars 7.0 g
- Protein 10.0 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 300.3 mg
- Copper 0.0 mg
- Folate 0.0 µg
- Iron 1.8 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 259.7 calories per serving (2.5 ONZ (70.0g)), Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner is a moderately calorie-dense food worth tracking if you're managing your intake. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source at 48.0g per serving (74.1% of calories). It provides a noteworthy 300.3mg of calcium (23% DV), contributing to bone and dental health.
📝 Ingredients
Enriched Macaroni Product (wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [iron], Thiamin Mononitrate [vitamin B1], Riboflavin [vitamin B2], Folic Acid); Cheese Sauce Mix (whey, Modified Food Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cheddar Cheese [milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Granular Cheese [milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Contains Less than 2% of Parmesan Cheese [part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Dried Buttermilk, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Blue Cheese [milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Sodium Phosphate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Cream, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Enzymes, Yellow 5, Yellow 6)
🔬 Ingredient Analysis
Artificial Colours: Yellow 5, Yellow 6
Emulsifiers / Stabilisers: Modified Food Starch, Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Fortification / Enrichment Agents: Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Calcium Carbonate
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 Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner — how it fits your diet, what to pair it with, or how it compares nutritionally.
📊 % Daily Value
The following shows how one serving of Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner contributes to the recommended daily intake for key nutrients, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 259.7 kcal | 13% |
| Total Fat | 3.0 g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g | 7% |
| Cholesterol | 9.8 mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 510.3 mg | 22% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.0 g | 17% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 3% |
| Protein | 10.0 g | 20% |
| Calcium | 300.3 mg | 23% |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
🔥 Calorie Analysis
Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner 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 74.1% of the calories.
🏃 Exercise Burn Time
How long would it take to burn off the 259.7 calories in Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner? 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 |
| Backpacking | 39.3 min |
Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.
💬 Nutrition Q&A: Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
Is Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner good for weight loss?
At 260 calories per serving with only 3g of fat and 10g of protein, this could fit into a weight loss plan if portion-controlled, but the high carb content (48g) and low fiber (1g) mean it won't keep you very full. The 7g of added sugar per serving is also worth noting if you're watching your overall intake.
Is Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner good for muscle building?
The 10g of protein per serving provides some muscle-building support, but you'd need to pair this with other protein sources to meet typical targets for strength training. This works better as a side dish or base for a meal that includes additional lean protein.
Is Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner good post-workout fuel?
The carb-to-protein ratio of roughly 5:1 is skewed toward carbs, which can help replenish glycogen, but the 10g of protein falls short of what's ideal for muscle recovery after a tough workout. You'd want to add a protein source or eat this alongside one for better post-exercise nutrition.
Is Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner good fuel for endurance activities?
The 48g of carbs per serving make this a decent carb source before or during endurance activity, and the enriched flour adds some B vitamins that support energy metabolism. However, the low fiber and minimal sodium mean it's not optimally designed for fueling long-distance running or cycling compared to whole grain options.
What should I watch out for with Cheddar Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner?
The sodium content is fairly high at 510mg per serving—over a quarter of the daily recommended limit—so go easy if you're watching your salt intake. The refined carbs and minimal fiber mean blood sugar may spike quickly, and the artificial food coloring (Yellow 5 and Yellow 6) is worth noting if you're sensitive to dyes.
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.