Macaroni or noodles with cheese, made from reduced fat packaged mix, unprepared & Diabetes
High glycemic impact — occasional choice only. Glycemic load of 27 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 27/100g · GI 54 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Response at a Glance
Nutrition Overview
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Sodium
Macaroni or noodles with cheese, made from reduced fat packaged mix, unprepared provides 858mg of sodium per serving — significant relative to the ADA's daily recommendation of <2,300mg. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk in diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices throughout the rest of the day.
ADA recommends <2,300mg sodium per day for most adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1), 2024.
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 50g | 26.0g | 13.5 | Moderate |
| Standard Serving | 99g | 51.5g | 26.7 | High |
| Restaurant Portion | 198g | 103.1g | 53.5 | High |
GL ≤10 = Low (Friendly) · 11–19 = Moderate · ≥20 = High (Limit).
The page-level verdict is based on GL per 100g; this table shows how portion size changes the actual GL you get.
Simple Ways to Balance It
💡 Half Portion, Full Satisfaction
A half serving significantly reduces the glycemic load. Use it as a side, not the main event, and bulk up your plate with vegetables.
💡 Balance Sodium
Pair with low-sodium foods throughout the rest of your day. Fresh herbs and spices can replace salt as flavoring.
💡 Check Your Own Response
Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.
💡 Glycemic Load Over Glycemic Index
GL accounts for both the speed AND amount of carbohydrate, making it more practical for real-world eating than GI alone.
Alternatives to Consider
🍽️ Chili, no beans, canned entree
GL 3/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Chili, no beans, canned entree & diabetes →🍽️ Salisbury steak with gravy, frozen
GL 3.1/100g — Low GL
Fiber 1.0g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Salisbury steak with gravy, frozen & diabetes →🍽️ HUNGRY MAN, Salisbury Steak With Gravy, frozen, unprepared
GL 3.1/100g — Low GL
Fiber 1.3g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
HUNGRY MAN, Salisbury Steak With Gravy, frozen, unprepared & diabetes →🍽️ BANQUET, Salisbury Steak With Gravy, family size, frozen, unprepared
GL 3.2/100g — Low GL
Fiber 1.0g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
BANQUET, Salisbury Steak With Gravy, family size, frozen, unprepared & diabetes →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac... good for diabetes?
It's best to limit Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac.... With a glycemic load of 27.0 (high — anything ≥20 is considered high), a standard serving can cause a significant blood sugar rise.
What is the glycemic load of Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac...?
The glycemic load of Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac... is 27.0 per 100g. GL is calculated by multiplying the GI (54) by the available carbohydrates (50.1g) and dividing by 100.
What happens to blood sugar after eating Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac...?
The primary way Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac... affects blood sugar is through its carbohydrate content (52.1g/100g). With a GI of 54 (low) and limited fiber, this produces an overall GL of 27.0 (High).
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 54 for Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac... is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Meals, Entrees, and Side Dishes category from the International GI Tables (Atkinson et al., 2021). Actual GI may vary by variety, ripeness, cooking method, and individual response. We display estimated values with full transparency so you can make informed decisions.
Can portion control make this food work?
Yes — half a standard serving of Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac... reduces the glycemic load substantially. At GL 27.0 per 100g this is a dense source, but a half portion makes a meaningful difference. The key is mindfulness: use it as a side dish, not the main event, and fill most of your plate with non-starchy vegetables and lean protein.
Is the sodium level a concern?
Macaroni or noodles with cheese made from reduced fat pac... contains 858mg of sodium per serving — well above the ADA's recommendation of <2,300mg daily. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk — the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices during the rest of the day. Fresh herbs, spices, and citrus can replace salt as flavoring.
Where This Data Comes From
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 54 — subcategory_avg:Meals, Entrees, and Side Dishes. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 99.0g) = 27.0 × 99.0 ÷ 100 = 26.7
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 169774. Data are in the public domain (CC0 1.0).
GL Classification: ≤10 = Low (Low GL), 11–19 = Moderate (Eat in Moderation), ≥20 = High (Limit). Based on University of Sydney Glycemic Index Foundation classification.
⚠️ GI value is estimated, not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. Actual GI may vary by variety, cooking method, and individual glycemic response.
Cite this page: GlycemicWise. “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, made from reduced fat packaged mix, unprepared — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/macaroni-or-noodles-with-cheese-made-from-reduced-fat-packaged-mix-unprepared/
Dietary reference — not medical advice. This page provides evidence-based dietary reference information for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual blood sugar responses vary significantly. Always check your blood glucose to understand your personal response to foods, and talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Data sources are cited above and publicly available from the USDA and the University of Sydney Glycemic Index Research Service.