Baked Penne with Ricotta and Spinach Recipe

Baked Penne with Ricotta and Spinach has a high-calorie, high-carb, average-fat and high-protein content. It is a good source of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin and Folate.

The food contains 52.1g of carbs. The carbohydrate profile of the the food reveals it is average in complex carbs and average in Simple carbs. Carbs are our primary source of energy but its source should be chosen with utmost care. Complex carbs are a more desirable addition to your diet, where as simple carbs should be consumed in moderation as it is very easily broken down, assimilated and absorbed in the body. Its average sugar content puts it in the bottom 20 percentile. This is a good thing for people watching their sugar intake. With 17.4 gms of protein, it is high in protein content, which is an important macronutrient that helps with tissue repair, provides energy and improves immunity.

Because of its average fat content, it could be suitable option, especially if you're watching your fat intake for health reasons. It's low MUFA and low PUFA. In terms of Polyunsaturated Fat content it is ranked in the bottom 20% of all food items. It is also ranked in the bottom 20 percentile in terms of its Monounsaturated Fat content, which are considered among "good fats".

It is also rich in Vitamin C, whose benefits include, but are not limited to protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.

It gives a good yield of Iron at 3.85 gms/ serving, and should be included in an Iron rich diet. Iron is essential to help carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles and other organs, and is especially helpful for pregnant women. While Sodium is an essential nutrient, excess quantities can cause several disorders like fluid retention, hypertension. Since it has a high density of Sodium, it is unsuitable if you are aiming for a healthy, low-sodium diet. It is also average in Magnesium, an essential micronutrient that regulates functioning of muscles and nerves and heart beat. It is also an average source of Selenium, which is an important antioxidant especially in combination with vitamin E.

Based on the composite nutritive standing Baked Penne with Ricotta and Spinach has been given a composite ranking of 71, and in moderation.