Quick Answer
2 cups of grits with cheese contains approximately 800-1000 calories depending on the type of grits and amount of cheese used. Grits alone contain around 300 calories per cup. Adding cheese like cheddar can add 50-100 calories per ounce.
Calories in Grits
Grits are made from ground corn kernels known as hominy. The calories in grits can vary based on the type:
| Type of Grits | Calories per Cup |
|---|---|
| Regular/Quick Grits | 300 calories |
| Instant Grits | 280 calories |
| Stone Ground Grits | 260 calories |
As you can see, regular or quick grits tend to contain the most calories. Instant grits contain slightly less. Stone ground grits made from whole corn kernels are the lowest in calories.
So for 2 cups of regular grits, you would consume around 600 calories total.
Calories in Cheese
Adding cheese significantly increases the calorie count. Here are the calories for 1 ounce of popular cheese choices:
| Type of Cheese | Calories per Ounce |
|---|---|
| Cheddar | 115 calories |
| Monterey Jack | 100 calories |
| Swiss | 111 calories |
| American | 110 calories |
Cheddar, the most popular choice, packs about 115 calories per ounce.
If you add 1 cup (8 ounces) of shredded cheddar cheese to 2 cups of grits, that’s around 920 calories total.
Using less cheese would reduce the calories. Just 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of cheddar would add about 230 calories.
Final Calorie Count
So for a final tally:
- 2 cups grits: 600 calories
- 1 cup (8 oz) shredded cheddar: 920 calories
- 1/4 cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar: 830 calories
In summary, 2 cups of grits with cheese can range from 600-1000 calories depending on the exact ingredients and amounts used. Sticking to a smaller amount of cheese helps keep the calorie count on the lower end while still adding tons of flavor.
As you can see, cheese really packs a calorie punch! But enjoying your favorite comfort foods like cheesy grits in moderation can still be part of a balanced diet.
References
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171287/nutrients
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167793/nutrients
- https://www.eatthismuch.com/food/nutrition/cheddar-cheese,2788/