Let’s be real – sometimes we just crave a big, creamy bowl of pasta. And when that craving hits, Noodles & Company’s Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken often tops the list of temptations. But if you’re keeping an eye on your nutrition intake, you might be wondering exactly what you’re getting yourself into with this indulgent dish.
I’ve been a fan of Noodles & Company for years, and let me tell you, their Alfredo Montamore is a serious comfort food favorite. But when I actually looked at the nutrition facts? Well, let’s just say I was a bit shocked. So I decided to break down everything you need to know about this popular menu item.
The Calorie Count: What You’re Really Getting
The regular size Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken from Noodles & Company contains 1410-1411 calories per order. That’s basically 70% of the daily recommended calorie intake for an average adult following a 2,000 calorie diet – in just one meal!
Let’s break down the nutrition facts
- Total Calories: 1410-1411
- Calories from Fat: 756
- Total Fat: 84g (129% daily value)
- Saturated Fat: 40g (200% daily value)
- Trans Fat: 2.5-3g
- Cholesterol: 240mg (80% daily value)
- Sodium: 2170mg (90% daily value)
- Total Carbohydrates: 110g (37% daily value)
- Dietary Fiber: 6g (24% daily value)
- Sugars: 14g
- Protein: 52g (104% daily value)
Yeah, those numbers are pretty intense. The saturated fat alone is 200% of what you should be consuming in an entire day!
Where Do All Those Calories Come From?
According to the nutrition breakdown most of the calories (about 54%) come from fat. This isn’t surprising considering the dish features
- Creamy alfredo sauce (heavy cream, butter, cheese)
- Parmesan-crusted chicken (breaded and likely fried)
- Additional parmesan cheese toppings
- Pasta noodles as the base
The dish comes with spaghetti noodles which contribute to the 110g of carbohydrates. The parmesan-crusted chicken helps deliver the impressive 52g of protein, which is actually a positive aspect of the meal.
How Long Would It Take to Burn Those Calories?
If you’re thinking of indulging in this dish you might want to know how much exercise you’d need to burn it off
- Swimming: 118 minutes
- Jogging: 162 minutes
- Cycling: 216 minutes
- Walking: 392 minutes (that’s over 6.5 hours!)
That’s based on a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs. Your actual calorie burn may vary depending on your age, weight, height, and gender.
Or to put it another way, you’d need to run for about 124 minutes or walk for 202 minutes to burn off this meal.
A Smarter Option: Consider the Small Size
If you’re craving this dish but don’t want to blow your entire day’s calories on one meal, Noodles & Company does offer a small size option. The small Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken contains about 801 calories – that’s a savings of 610 calories!
While 801 calories is still substantial for a single meal, it’s definitely more manageable within a day’s eating plan than the regular size.
Weight Watchers Points – Yikes!
For those following Weight Watchers, you might want to save this dish for a very special occasion:
- Weight Watchers Freestyle Points: 49
- WW SmartPoints: 50
- WW PointsPlus: 38
These are some of the highest point values you’ll find for a single restaurant item!
What Do People Think About It?
According to website visitors, 100% of voters think the Regular Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken tastes good. No surprise there – with all that fat and salt, it’s bound to be delicious!
However, all voters also found it to be unhealthy. Again, no surprises based on the nutrition facts.
How Does This Compare to Other Pasta Dishes?
While we don’t have direct comparisons from the provided information, it’s worth noting that creamy pasta dishes with breaded chicken tend to be among the highest-calorie options at most restaurants.
Alfredo sauce in particular is notorious for being calorie-dense due to its base of heavy cream, butter, and cheese. When you add breaded chicken to the mix, you’re essentially combining two high-calorie food components.
Is There Any Nutritional Upside?
If we’re looking for silver linings, the dish does provide:
- Substantial protein (52g) which helps with satiety and muscle maintenance
- Some dietary fiber (6g) which supports digestive health
- A meal that is undeniably satisfying and tasty
Should You Eat It?
I’m not here to tell you what to eat or not eat. Food isn’t just about nutrition – it’s also about enjoyment, celebration, and sometimes just treating yourself.
That said, the Regular Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken is probably best viewed as an occasional indulgence rather than a regular meal choice if you’re concerned about calorie intake or overall nutrition.
Some strategies if you’re craving this dish but want to make it more nutrition-friendly:
- Order the small size instead of regular
- Share a regular order with someone else
- Ask for grilled chicken instead of parmesan-crusted if possible
- Take half home for another meal
- Balance your day with lighter, vegetable-focused meals
The Bottom Line
The Regular Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken from Noodles & Company packs a hefty 1410-1411 calories with significant amounts of fat, saturated fat, and sodium. It’s delicious but definitely falls into the “special occasion” category for most people following general nutrition guidelines.
If you’re tracking calories or watching your fat and sodium intake, you’ll want to plan accordingly if you choose to indulge in this dish. The small size offers a more reasonable alternative at 801 calories.
Remember that one meal doesn’t define your overall diet, and occasional indulgences can absolutely be part of a balanced approach to eating. But knowing the nutrition facts helps you make informed choices about how often and in what portion size you might want to enjoy this creamy pasta dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many calories are in Noodles & Company’s Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken?
A: The regular size contains 1410-1411 calories, while the small size has 801 calories.
Q: Is the Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken healthy?
A: With 84g of fat (40g saturated), 2170mg of sodium, and 1410-1411 calories in a regular serving, this dish would not be considered healthy by conventional nutrition standards. However, it does provide 52g of protein.
Q: How much fat is in the Alfredo Montamore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken?
A: The regular size contains 84g of total fat, including 40g of saturated fat and 2.5-3g of trans fat.
Q: Can I make this dish more healthy?
A: Options include ordering the small size, requesting grilled chicken instead of parmesan-crusted if available, sharing with someone, or taking half home for another meal.
Q: How does this compare to other items at Noodles & Company?
A: While specific comparisons weren’t provided, creamy pasta dishes with breaded proteins typically have higher calorie counts than options with tomato-based sauces or grilled proteins.
Remember, we all need to eat food that makes us happy sometimes! It’s all about balance and making informed choices. If pasta with creamy sauce and crispy chicken is your thing, go ahead and enjoy it occasionally – just maybe pair it with a side salad and drink plenty of water!
