Banza Mac and Cheese: Nutrition, Calories and More

If you love mac and cheese but want to enjoy it without feeling guilty, try Banza Mac and Cheese. Banza Mac and Cheese is a product that combines chickpea pasta with cheese sauce to create a high-protein, gluten-free, and low-glycemic alternative to traditional mac and cheese.

In this blog post, we will answer some frequently asked questions about Banza Mac and Cheese.

We will also discuss the benefits of chickpea pasta and why it’s a healthier option for mac and cheese lovers. Let’s get started!

What is Banza Mac and Cheese?

Banza Mac and Cheese is a product that uses chickpea pasta instead of wheat pasta. Chickpea pasta is made from chickpea flour, pea protein, tapioca, and xanthan gum. It possesses a comparable texture and flavour to the standard version of pasta but with more protein, fibre, and fewer net carbs. Banza Mac and Cheese has four flavors: Classic Cheddar, White Cheddar, Cacio e Pepe, and Deluxe.

The cheese sauce is made from natural ingredients such as cheddar cheese, whey, buttermilk, salt, annatto extract, lactic acid, and natural flavours. Banza also offers a plant-based mac and cheese option that uses roasted sweet potatoes as the base for the vegan cheese sauce.

How Many Calories Are in Banza Mac and Cheese?

According to Fooducate, one serving of Banza Mac and Cheese (71 g dry) has 260 calories, 8 g of fat, 35 g of carbs, 5 g of fibre, 3 g of sugar, and 16 g of protein. Caloric content can fluctuate based on the flavour and the preparation method employed.

For comparison, one serving of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (70 g dry) has 260 calories, 3.5 g of fat, 47 g of carbs, 2 g of fibre, 6 g of sugar, and 9 g of protein. It has more protein, fiber, and healthy fats than Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

Is Banza Mac and Cheese Vegetarian or Vegan?

Banza Mac and Cheese is vegetarian, as the enzymes in the cheese are microbial. However, it is not vegan, as all mac and cheese varieties contain dairy. Banza is working on developing a vegan Mac option in the future. If you are looking for a vegan mac and cheese option from Banza, you can try their plant-based mac and cheese that is dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO verified.

How Do You Cook Banza Mac and Cheese?

The cooking instructions for Banza Mac and Cheese depend on the flavour but generally involve boiling the pasta for a few minutes, draining it, adding the cheese sauce, and stirring well.

For example, for the Mac and White Cheddar flavour, you need to

• Add Banza to 6 cups boiling water and cook for 5-6 minutes until al dente.
• Then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
• Add three tablespoons of low-fat milk and cheese sauce.
• Stir until it is well combined.

You can customize your mac and cheese by incorporating your preferred toppings, such as bacon, broccoli, or mushrooms.

What are Some Alternatives to Banza Mac?

Explore alternative products with similar benefits like high protein, gluten-free, or low-carb options akin to Banza Mac and Cheese.

• Modern Table Vegan Mac: This product uses lentil pasta and vegan cheese sauce to create a dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free mac and cheese with 16 g of protein per serving.
• Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Pasta & Cheddar: This product uses rice pasta and real cheese to make a gluten-free and organic mac and cheese with 10 g of protein per serving.
• Quest Nutrition Loaded Pizza Protein Chips: This product is not a mac and cheese but a snack with a pizza flavour and a crunchy texture. t is gluten-, soy-, potato- and corn-free, with 19 g of protein per bag.

Why is Chickpea Pasta Better for Mac?

Chickpea pasta is an excellent choice for mac and cheese because it has several advantages over regular pasta, such as:

Higher protein: Chickpea pasta has about twice as much protein as regular pasta, which helps you feel fuller and supports muscle growth and repair.
Higher fibre: Chickpea pasta has nearly three times as much fibre as regular pasta, which enables you to digest better and lowers your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Lower net carbs: Chickpea pasta has about 30% fewer net carbs than regular pasta, which means it impacts your blood sugar and insulin levels less.
Gluten-free: Chickpea pasta is naturally gluten-free, which makes it suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance
Non-GMO: Chickpea pasta is made from non-GMO ingredients, which means they are not genetically modified or engineered.

How Many Calories Are in Banza Mac and Cheese?

According to Fooducate, one serving of Banza Mac and Cheese (71 g dry) has 260 calories, 8 g of fat, 35 g of carbs, 5 g of fibre, 3 g of sugar, and 16 g of protein. The calories may vary depending on the flavour and the preparation method.

For comparison, one serving of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (70 g dry) has 260 calories, 3.5 g of fat, 47 g of carbs, 2 g of fibre, 6 g of sugar, and 9 g of protein. As you can see, it has more protein, fibre, and healthy fats than Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

How Much Protein is in Banza Mac and Cheese?

Banza mac and cheese is a high-protein product that contains 16 grams of protein per serving (71 g dry). This is almost twice as much as regular mac and cheese, which has only 9 grams of protein per serving (70 g dry).

Protein is an essential nutrient that helps build and maintain muscle mass, support immune function, regulate hormones, and keep you feeling full. It provides about 32% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of protein for an average adult.

Is Banza Pasta High in Protein?

Yes, banza pasta is high in protein compared to regular pasta. Banza pasta is made from chickpeas, a rich source of plant-based protein. Banza pasta has about twice as much protein as regular pasta, made from wheat flour.

For example, a 2 oz serving of banza pasta has 14 grams of protein, while a 2 oz serving of regular pasta has only 7 grams of protein. It is essential for many bodily functions, such as muscle growth, tissue repair, immune response, and hormone production.

Read also about Hormone Balancing Recipe.

Is Banza Pasta High in Carbs?

Banza pasta is lower in net carbs than regular pasta but is not a low-carb food. Net ca bs represents the overall carbohydrate content, excluding fibre, as fibre does not significantly impact blood sugar levels. Banza pasta has about 30% fewer net carbs than regular pasta, which means it has less impact on blood sugar and insulin levels.

For example, a 2 oz serving of banza pasta has 25 grams of net carbs, while a 2 oz serving of regular pasta has 36 grams of net carbs. However, banza pasta still has a significant amount of carbs, which may not be suitable for people who follow a very low-carb or ketogenic diet.

Conclusion

Banza Mac and Cheese is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy without compromising your health goals. Made from chickpea pasta and natural cheese sauce, this dish offers increased protein and fiber while reducing net carbs compared to conventional mac and cheese. Additionally, it is vegetarian, gluten-free, non-GMO, and has a low glycemic index.

It has four flavors: Classic Cheddar, White Cheddar, Cacio e Pepe, and Deluxe. Banza also offers a plant-based mac and cheese option that is vegan and made with roasted sweet potatoes. You can quickly cook it in minutes and make it with your favourite toppings.

You can also try some alternatives to Banza Mac and Cheese that are high in protein, gluten-free, or low-carb.

If you want a healthier mac and cheese option, try Banza Mac and Cheese! You can find it on Amazon, EatBanza.com, or Whole Foods stores.

Further Reading: Healthy Dirty Rice Recipe: All You Need to Know