Alfredo Sauce- Good or Bad?

[Jfern689]

Alfredo Sauce is one of my favorite sauces for pasta but is it too unhealthy? When I go to the supermarket I always get the light alfredo sauce but I still feel like it might be a little to fatty. Anyone has a healthier sauce recomendation for pasta?

[Dujin77]

As long as it fits into your dialy calorie intake and macronutrient needs then it's fine.

[WonderPug]

The name of a sauce doesn't make it health or unhealthy. Rather, it's the total daily intake of nutrients that determine the impact of diet on health as well as bodyweight and composition.

[croat32]

I always heard that Alfredo sauce was one of the worst things for you nutritionally; part of the reason I stick with marinara whenever I eat Italian, (which used to be like twice a week until I started cutting carbs). Nonetheless, as mentioned above, as long as you can manage to fit it into your macros I doubt it will be much of an issue.

[WonderPug]

I always heard that Alfredo sauce was one of the worst things for you nutritionally;

Do you have any idea why that might be true?

[iviicrociot]

Do you have any idea why that might be true?

Well, when I make Alfredo sauce, it consists of Butter, Oil, Heavy Whipping Cream, and Grated Parmesean/Ramano. Pretty much fat fat fat fat. So yeah, for the average person, it's probably the most calorie dense and fat dense sauce in common Italian cuisine. But, if you want fat, fat, fat, and fat in your diet then it's the best sauce out there lol

[ThousandEyes]

Well, when I make Alfredo sauce, it consists of Butter, Oil, Heavy Whipping Cream, and Grated Parmesean/Ramano. Pretty much fat fat fat fat. So yeah, for the average person, it's probably the most calorie dense and fat dense sauce in common Italian cuisine. But, if you want fat, fat, fat, and fat in your diet then it's the best sauce out there lol

yes

[lee__d]

Well, my mom's would probably put me in a surplus if I have a cup of it, soooo, yea.

[WonderPug]

Well, when I make Alfredo sauce, it consists of Butter, Oil, Heavy Whipping Cream, and Grated Parmesean/Ramano. Pretty much fat fat fat fat. So yeah, for the average person, it's probably the most calorie dense and fat dense sauce in common Italian cuisine. But, if you want fat, fat, fat, and fat in your diet then it's the best sauce out there lol

But that sounds like a superb energy source, which can clearly be part of a "healthy" diet.

[Darz23]

Alfred sauce is the devil, give it to me, I'll deal with it.

[iviicrociot]

But that sounds like a superb energy source, which can clearly be part of a "healthy" diet.

Can be if you calculate your nutrition. I'd say the average person doesn't though. You guys never seem to surprise me though... if Ben & Jerrys can be a nutritional godsend I guess Alfredo can be too lol

[fldhkybnva]

love it, just fit it in. On average, I will whip up Alfredo once a week or so. Classico makes a great light creamy alfredo which tastes like the regular to me at least for 45 calories/per serving but even the real stuff is only 100 calories/serving so if you don't go wild with it it's not too bad. Also I have no fear of fat or the like. I I love pasta night...chicken and shrimp with penne, creamy alfredo sauce, bacon, blue cheese (~1200 calories, but I eat IF styleish). This is the biggest serving I've made, usually 1/2 this but needed some extra carbs that day.

[uncommonworker]

I ate alfredo on my rotini and noodles alot during my cut and still was losing weight just fit it in your macros and your good

[croat32]

Do you have any idea why that might be true?

That's just what I have always read and heard. My sister has a minor degree in nutrition and says that it's basically just loaded with fat, and has hardly any other nutritional value.

[Jfern689]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I guess I could have some as long as I don't go crazy with it.

[WonderPug]

That's just what I have always read and heard. My sister has a minor degree in nutrition and says that it's basically just loaded with fat, and has hardly any other nutritional value.

Perhaps your sister should require a tuition refund.

[StitchT]

I feel bad for you guys in the Nut section that have to deal with this.

[ironwill2008]

Alfredo Sauce- Good or Bad?

Depends on who cooks it. I happen to make an excellent Alfredo.

My sister has a minor degree in nutrition and says that it's basically just loaded with fat, and has hardly any other nutritional value.

Do your sister a favor and tell her that fat is an essential macronutrient.

I guess I could have some as long as I don't go crazy with it.

We have a winner.

I feel bad for you guys in the Nut section that have to deal with this.

Hey, it's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.

[croat32]

Perhaps your sister should require a tuition refund.

She graduated on a full scholarship.

[croat32]

Depends on who cooks it. I happen to make an excellent Alfredo.












Do your sister a favor and tell her that fat is an essential macronutrient.

Trans fat isn't.

[ironwill2008]

Trans fat isn't.

Who said anything about trans fat?

[auntAuntieBea]

Depends on who cooks it. I happen to make an excellent Alfredo.

Well, I was going to mention ... "just don't get it at Olive Garden".

and

FWIW, there's substantially more protein in Parmesan (and similar dry, hard cheeses) than other cheeses, such as cheddar -- about 40-50% more by weight (due to less water content). So Alfredo's not as "useless" as old-school nutrition standards might imply. Couple ozs of Parm: 20g P vs. couple ozs, Cheddar: 14g P, for about equal cals.

[iviicrociot]

Mmmm yep it's amazing for you... 300+% of your daily saturated fat. Just make it fit your macros... your heart will thank you.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 898
Calories 996

% Daily Values*
Total Fat 99.82g 154%
Saturated Fat 62.624g 313%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.521g
Monounsaturated Fat 27.977g
Cholesterol 323mg 108%
Sodium 1264mg 53%
Potassium 175mg
Total Carbohydrate 6.2g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 0.61g
Protein 21.94g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 72% Iron 3%

[auntAuntieBea]

Serving Size 1 cup

That would be quite a hefty individual portion for most adults. 1 cup will sufficiently sauce multiple pasta servings, even for big, manly-eatin' bro's.

[BigBoLuke93]

Mmmm yep it's amazing for you... 300+% of your daily saturated fat. Just make it fit your macros... your heart will thank you.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 898
Calories 996

% Daily Values*
Total Fat 99.82g 154%
Saturated Fat 62.624g 313%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.521g
Monounsaturated Fat 27.977g
Cholesterol 323mg 108%
Sodium 1264mg 53%
Potassium 175mg
Total Carbohydrate 6.2g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 0.61g
Protein 21.94g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 72% Iron 3%

..............

That is a generic recipe, macronutrient totals will vary greatly depending on how you make it.

Also, I doubt anyone would have a full cup of it on pasta... that's like Alfredo soup with some noodles

[auntAuntieBea]

.Also, I doubt anyone would have a full cup of it on pasta... that's like Alfredo soup with some noodles

No doubt. And, there's a bit of cultural disconnect, too. In Italy -- pasta dishes like this are intended as "Secondi". It supplements dinner, to include other courses, so intended serving sizes "over there" are smaller. That this intent would get bastardized "over here" to become a meal in itself, is not the fault of ... Alfredo.

[iviicrociot]

..............

That is a generic recipe, macronutrient totals will vary greatly depending on how you make it.

Also, I doubt anyone would have a full cup of it on pasta... that's like Alfredo soup with some noodles

And the poster is referring to generic alfredo? Anything can be made healthier

Serving Size 1 serving

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 738
Calories 1440

% Daily Values*
Total Fat 82g 126%
Saturated Fat 48g 240%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2070mg 86%
Total Carbohydrate 103g 34%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 0g
Protein 72g

Vitamin A - Vitamin C -
Calcium - Iron -

That's the dinner at Olive Garden.. 240% saturated fat still. And, to be honest, when I ate there I liked to have the filet medalions covered in gorgonzola to add some more fat to it... then soak it up with buttered breadsticks. I'm not demonizing Alfredo.. but to argue that it's a "good" sauce is ridiculous. Anything can be good in the right context...sure...but we're talking generalizations here. A tomato based pasta sauce is way better for your heart than a cream based sauce... between the two, one would be considered a better choice when thinking of the "health" properties. Obviously the better choice is tomato. My favorite food growing up was Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, I know how to eat it and I probably gained a 5 pound tit from it too. Won't see me "fitting it into my macros" on my cut... might consider eating it on a cheat day for my birthday though. In general, I would think a good food is something you would strive to eat or fit into your daily nutrition because of its nutrition density.. not something that is 90% fat and extremely calorie dense, loaded with saturated fat. That's an occasional eat. If I were aiming for 4000 calories a day I still wouldn't eat alfredo everyday, probably not even once a week, just like I wouldn't eat cheeseburgers and fries everyday. Make ya feel like ****.

[Big_Spaz]

I always heard it's one of the 'worst' sauces (nutritionally) for you as well.


But it doesn't deteer me at all. I slam that stuff down if I have the chance.





-Spaz