1975
In Defense of Macaroni
February 1975


“In Defense of Macaroni,” Ensign, Feb. 1975, 57

In Defense of Macaroni

Macaroni has a reputation of being low in food value. But this chart shows that it’s a fairly good source of several nutrients, especially when combined with other foods (such as cheese). Compared with a baked potato, it has a few more calories—but also more nutrients.

(All data is for 1 cup portions, and recommended allowance figures are for an average person aged 22 to 35.)

Nutrient

Recommended Daily Allowance

Macaroni

Macaroni with Cheese

Potato

Protein

50 Grams

6

18

3

Calcium

80 Milligrams

14

398

9

Iron

15 Milligrams

1.4

2.0

0.7

Riboflavin

1.6 Milligrams

.14

.44

.04

Niacin

15 Milligrams

1.9

2.0

1.7

Calories

2,500

190

470

90