Calories in Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz

📏 Serving Size: 1 Meal (227g) (227.0g)

🧪 Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
  • Calories 240.6
  • Total Fat 9.0 g
  • Saturated Fat 3.0 g
  • Cholesterol 9.1 mg
  • Sodium 930.7 mg
  • Potassium 179.3 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 32.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 3.0 g
  • Sugars 5.0 g
  • Protein 8.0 g
Vitamins & Minerals
  • Vitamin A 15499.6 IU
  • Vitamin B-12 0.0 µg
  • Vitamin B-6 0.0 mg
  • Vitamin C 2.5 mg
  • Vitamin D 0.0 IU
  • Vitamin E 0.0 mg
  • Calcium 149.8 mg
  • Copper 0.0 mg
  • Folate 0.0 µg
  • Iron 1.1 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 240.6 calories per serving (1 Meal (227g) (227.0g)), Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz is a moderately calorie-dense food worth tracking if you're managing your intake. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source at 32.0g per serving (53.1% of calories), with a good 3.0g of dietary fiber. One thing to note: a single serving contains 930.7mg of sodium (40% 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

Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Cheese Sauce: Water, Cheddar Club Cheese (pasteurized Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [color]), Modified Whey, Soybean Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Nonfat Dry Milk, Cheese Flavor (whey, Cheese [granular and Blue {pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzyme}], Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid), Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphates, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Guar Gum, Beta Carotene (color). Macaroni: Cooked Pasta: Water, Elbow Macaroni (enriched Pasta [durum Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Soybean Oil. Contains: Milk, Wheat.

🔬 Ingredient Analysis

⚠️ Emulsifiers / Stabilisers ℹ️ Fortified / Enriched

Emulsifiers / Stabilisers: Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Modified Corn Starch

Fortification / Enrichment Agents: Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Beta Carotene

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 Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz contributes to the recommended daily intake for key nutrients, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories240.6 kcal12%
Total Fat9.0 g12%
Saturated Fat3.0 g15%
Cholesterol9.1 mg3%
Sodium930.7 mg40% ⚠️
Total Carbohydrate32.0 g12%
Dietary Fiber3.0 g11%
Protein8.0 g16%
Vitamin C2.5 mg3%
Calcium149.8 mg12%
Iron1.1 mg6%
Potassium179.3 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.

🔥 Calorie Analysis

Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz accounts for 12% of a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet per serving. The majority of the calories for this food comes from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates make up 53.1% of the calories.

Fat 33.6%
Carbs 53.1%
Fat 33.6% Carbs 53.1% Protein 13.3%

🏃 Exercise Burn Time

How long would it take to burn off the 240.6 calories in Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz? The table below shows burn time for a 170-pound person doing common exercises.

Exercise Minutes to Burn
Running: 10 minutes per mile 18.2 min
Walking: 17 minutes per mile 41.5 min
Cycling (Low Intensity) 26.3 min
HIIT 22.3 min
Rock Climbing (Ascending) 29.9 min

Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.

💬 Nutrition Q&A: Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz

Is Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz good for weight loss?

At 240 calories per meal with 8g of protein and 3g of fiber, this dish could fit into a weight loss plan if portions are controlled. However, the high sodium content (931mg) and relatively modest protein-to-calorie ratio mean it won't be particularly satiating, so you might feel hungry not long after eating.

Is Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz good fuel for endurance activities?

This meal provides carbs and some protein, making it a reasonable option for pre- or post-activity fuel. The 32g of carbs will supply energy, though the lower potassium content (179mg) means it's not ideal for serious electrolyte replacement after intense exercise.

How might Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz affect blood sugar?

With 32g of carbs and only 3g of fiber, this meal will likely cause a moderate rise in blood sugar. The 5g of added sugar contributes to this effect, so it's not the best choice if you're managing blood sugar levels closely.

Is Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz heart-healthy?

The saturated fat content is relatively modest at 3g, but the high sodium is a concern for heart health—especially with regular consumption. The minimal potassium (179mg) is also a drawback, since potassium helps balance sodium's effects on blood pressure.

What should I watch out for with Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz?

The sodium level is quite high at 931mg per meal—that's about 40% of the daily recommended limit in a single serving. If you eat this regularly, sodium intake can add up quickly, which is especially worth noting if you monitor salt for blood pressure or heart health reasons.

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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