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Pasta vs. Fast food — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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Differences between pasta and fast food

  • Pasta contains less vitamin B12, vitamin B3, iron, zinc, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, phosphorus, and vitamin B1 than fast food.
  • Fast food's daily need coverage for vitamin B12 is 31% higher.
  • The amount of saturated fat in pasta is lower.
  • Pasta has a lower glycemic index. The glycemic index of pasta is 49, while the glycemic index of fast food is 66.

The food types used in this comparison are Pasta, fresh-refrigerated, plain, cooked and Fast foods, hamburger; single, regular patty; plain.

Infographic

Pasta vs Fast food infographic
Infographic link

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Pasta
1
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 13% 1.8% 2.1% 43% 31% 15% 27% 0.78% 29% 0%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 19% 19% 17% 115% 40% 69% 57% 43% 47% 111%
Contains less SodiumSodium -98.2%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +50%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +933.3%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +720.8%
Contains more IronIron +168.4%
Contains more CopperCopper +30.1%
Contains more ZincZinc +350%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +112.7%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +59.4%

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Pasta
0
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0% 2% 0% 0% 52% 35% 19% 11% 7.8% 18% 0% 48% 0%
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0% 3% 7.6% 1.5% 79% 84% 105% 32% 49% 111% 12% 60% 19%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +50%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +51.7%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +142%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +466.2%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +189.6%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +523.5%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +535.7%
Contains more FolateFolate +25%
~equal in Vitamin C ~0mg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Pasta
1
5% 25% 69%
Protein: 5.15 g
Fats: 1.05 g
Carbs: 24.93 g
Water: 68.56 g
Other: 0.31 g
17% 12% 32% 38%
Protein: 16.52 g
Fats: 12.01 g
Carbs: 31.5 g
Water: 38.45 g
Other: 1.52 g
Contains more WaterWater +78.3%
Contains more ProteinProtein +220.8%
Contains more FatsFats +1043.8%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +26.4%
Contains more OtherOther +390.3%

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Pasta
1
21% 18% 61%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 0.15 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 0.124 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.429 g
41% 44% 15%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 4.493 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 4.835 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.68 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -96.7%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +3799.2%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +291.6%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Pasta Fast food
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in minerals ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Pasta Fast food DV% diff.
Selenium 20.3µg 37%
Vitamin B12 0.14µg 0.89µg 31%
Vitamin B3 0.992mg 5.617mg 29%
Iron 1.14mg 3.06mg 24%
Protein 5.15g 16.52g 23%
Saturated fat 0.15g 4.493g 20%
Zinc 0.56mg 2.52mg 18%
Fats 1.05g 12.01g 17%
Vitamin B2 0.15mg 0.363mg 16%
Vitamin B6 0.034mg 0.212mg 14%
Sodium 6mg 331mg 14%
Monounsaturated fat 0.124g 4.835g 12%
Phosphorus 63mg 134mg 10%
Vitamin B1 0.209mg 0.317mg 9%
Starch 22.87g 9%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.429g 1.68g 8%
Calories 131kcal 297kcal 8%
Fiber 1.7g 7%
Vitamin B5 0.183mg 0.53mg 7%
Choline 34.4mg 6%
Manganese 0.224mg 0.357mg 6%
Calcium 6mg 62mg 6%
Potassium 24mg 197mg 5%
Vitamin K 4.9µg 4%
Folate 64µg 80µg 4%
Copper 0.093mg 0.121mg 3%
Vitamin E 0.38mg 3%
Fructose 2.27g 3%
Magnesium 18mg 27mg 2%
Carbs 24.93g 31.5g 2%
Vitamin D 0.1µg 1%
Net carbs 24.93g 29.8g N/A
Cholesterol 33mg 33mg 0%
Vitamin D 2IU 0%
Sugar 4.88g N/A
Vitamin A 6µg 9µg 0%
Trans fat 0.514g N/A
Tryptophan 0.065mg 0.144mg 0%
Threonine 0.134mg 0.46mg 0%
Isoleucine 0.197mg 0.642mg 0%
Leucine 0.348mg 1.13mg 0%
Lysine 0.097mg 0.785mg 0%
Methionine 0.079mg 0.306mg 0%
Phenylalanine 0.247mg 0.67mg 0%
Valine 0.217mg 0.728mg 0%
Histidine 0.103mg 0.402mg 0%
Omega-3 - EPA 0.005g N/A
Omega-3 - DHA 0.001g N/A
Omega-3 - ALA 0.121g N/A
Omega-3 - DPA 0.009g N/A
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.004g N/A
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.009g N/A
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.003g N/A
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 1.391g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Pasta Fast food
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
15%
Pasta
43%
Fast food
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
16%
Pasta
54%
Fast food

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
Pasta
Pasta is lower in Sugar (difference - 4.88g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Pasta
Pasta contains less Sodium (difference - 325mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Pasta
Pasta is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 4.343g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Pasta
Pasta is lower in glycemic index (difference - 17)
Which food is cheaper?
Fast food
Fast food is cheaper (difference - $3)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Fast food
Fast food is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Fast food
Fast food is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (33 mg)

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Pasta - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169728/nutrients
  2. Fast food - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170693/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.