Cannoli Nutrition Facts: Know Unheard Details About This Dessert!

Originating from Sicily, Italy, cannolis are a dessert food staple of Sicilian cuisine, a must-have for anyone exploring this beautiful place or cuisine but is it suitable for your daily diet?

The history of cannolis goes back a long way, with some estimates placing its origins between 827-1091 AD in Caltanissetta, Sicily. Here is important information on cannoli nutrition facts, serving size, and diet suitability to help you make an informed decision.

Cannoli is typically used as a singular in English, although it is grammatically plural in Italian; the corresponding singular is cannolo, a diminutive meaning 'small tube,' derived from canna, 'cane' or 'tube.' In English, this is a rare form.

Some food historians believe cannoli originated in Caltanissetta between 827 and 1091 AD when princes' concubines tried to attract their attention.

An Author, Gaetano Basile, was of the belief that Cannolis originated in Palermo and Messina, both of which are also in Sicily. It is also postulated that cannolis were invented by Prince’s concubines to get their attention.

Whether true or not, is a matter of deeper research. As far as the name of the dessert goes, cannoli in its local language is actually a plural, with the singular for this food being cannolo.

However, in English, cannoli became singular itself. Let's find out more about this delicious and creamy Italian dessert by looking at and understanding some cannoli nutrition facts. Afterward, also check quinoa nutrition facts and cantaloupe nutrition facts.

Cannoli Composition

In very basic terms, a cannoli is made up of a tube-shaped pastry shell that is deep-fried and then filled with sweetened cream or ricotta cheese filling made from whole milk. Making a good cannoli requires skill and the right ingredients.

The dough of cannoli is made from flour, granulated sugar, butter, salt, egg yolks, marsala (it can be replaced with a combination of dry white wine with white vinegar).

The filling is completely customizable and you can put anything you want to flavor it. However, some basic ingredients and traditional recipes include ricotta (drained overnight), vanilla, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate chips.

As must be clear from the list of ingredients, cannolis contain a lot of dietary fiber but with loads of saturated fat and carbs they are high in cholesterol, so caution must be taken when consuming them.

The total fat content of cannoli is quite high, making cannoli an unhealthy food item. To better understand why cannolis are called unhealthy, let's look at some nutrient facts, like how many calories, total fat, net carbs of daily diet requirements are contained in one serving size of cannolis.

The question of how many calories does one serving contains is to follow.

Cannoli Nutrition Profile Per Cup

For those concerned about their weight and observing a high nutrient, low-calorie diet, cannolis are not a good idea. This deep-fried cheese-filled sugary dessert is obviously high in calories with a big number of total fat and net carbs requirement of the daily diet.

However, if you are badly craving one, a smaller cannoli is a better way to go. While depending upon materials and prepare the amount of calories varies, as an average, a medium-sized cannoli contains about 240 calories.

This number goes up higher to an average of 339 calories per cannoli for a white chocolate one. As compared to this, a mini cannoli has about 85 calories apiece.

The materials used to make cannolis contribute to your daily values of saturated fat, carbs, proteins, minerals, and vitamins, However, cannoli is rich in saturated fat, cholesterol, and carbs than required from a food item. Vitamin A and vitamin C are derived from the materials in the filling.

Protein, potassium, iron, sodium, and calcium from the ricotta cheese. There however is no direct source of vitamin D.

Cannoli Vitamin And Mineral Profile

The vitamin and mineral profile for cannoli is variable.

However, on average, one serving size of a healthier cannoli, which contains a single cannoli, consists of 233 Calories, of which it contains Protein- 0.2 oz (6 g), Sodium 0.001 oz (37 mg), or 2% of the daily value vitamin A- 4%; vitamin C- 7%, calcium- 0.003 oz (85 mg), 8%; potassium 0.003 oz (85 mg), 2%  and iron 3% of the daily values, the value of sodium is variable, based on an assumed 2,000 calorie needs of daily values of calorie diet.

The remaining nutrient content is formed of fat, carbs, fiber, dietary fiber, saturated fats, and cholesterol.

A regular cannoli does not have a lot of vitamin content, as per described nutrient value, it has 0% of the daily value of vitamin C, 0.0007 oz (20 mg) of calcium or 2% of the daily value, 0.00003 oz (0.9 mg) of iron forming 5% of daily values; 0.002 oz (53.2 mg) or 1% of the total percent daily values of potassium and 0.0001 oz (3.8 mg) or 0% of percent daily value of sodium.

It also has protein, equalling 0.2 oz (6 g) or 12% of daily values.

The rest is composed of carbs, cholesterol, total fat, divided into saturated fat and unsaturated fat, and fiber.

A 3.5 oz (100 g) serving size of cannoli meets 250 calorie needs of daily requirements.

The nutrient profile contains proteins: 0.3 oz (8 g), vitamin A: 4% of the daily value, vitamin C: 0.0002 oz (5.4 mg) or 10% of daily values; calcium: 0.005 oz (150 mg) or 15% of daily values, and iron is 0.00002 oz (0.5 mg) or 6%; the rest of its composition contains fiber, fats, saturated fat, carbs, and cholesterol.

Cannoli Uses

As with any food, cannolis are a great addition to festivities. Originally invented for carnivals, cannolis are a real mood uplifter.

These sweet foods are seen as a sign of fertility in many local Italian cultures and festivities. Cannolis once were seen as a special treat, prepared mostly just during carnival season when there were parades going on, but now can be consumed any given day.

However, with the high calories, it contains, those looking to lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a low-calorie diet are advised to cautiously consume this food as it is irresistible.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for cannoli nutrition facts: know unheard details about this dessert!

then why not take a look at how do cacti get water? know how your cactus plants survive!, or how do water slides work? science facts for curious kids?