Pasta with cheese sauce
Banza Chickpea Pasta Cheddar Elbows
5.5 oz/156 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 75
Banza Chickpea Pasta Cheddar Elbows scores 75 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 5 points Salt 1.8 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
- plus 4 points Fiber 15.4 g / 100 g: A good source of fiber. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better pasta
-
Elbow Macaroni La Moderna · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Chickpea Elbows H-E-B Organics Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Whole Grain Elbows Barilla · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Chickpea Rotini Barilla · 8.8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Chickpea Rotini Simply Nature · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Chickpea Pasta Cheddar Elbows
Ingredients
- Xanthan gum minus 2.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2.6 g / 100 g minus 1.5 points
- Salt 1.8 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 232 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Fiber 15.4 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 20.5 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 25.5 = 74.5 → 75
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 232 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 7.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 51.3 g |
| Sugars | 7.7 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 15.4 g |
| Protein | 20.5 g |
| Salt | 1.8 g |
Serving: 1 serving (78 g)
Ingredients
- Chickpeas
- Pea Starch
- Tapioca
- Xanthan Gum
- Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes)
- Nonfat Milk
- Buttermilk
- Butter (Cream, Salt)
- Salt
- Lactic Acid
- Disodium Phosphate
- Annatto and Paprika Extract (color)
Label text, as published
Chickpeas, Pea Starch, Tapioca, Xanthan Gum, Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Nonfat Milk, Buttermilk, Butter (Cream, Salt), Salt, Lactic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Annatto and Paprika Extract (color)
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More pasta with cheese sauce on GoodSwap
More from Banza
Sources
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org