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Macadamia nuts are the richest common nut in fat and calories: a 1-ounce serving of 10 to 12 raw kernels has about 204 calories and 21.5 grams of fat, and about 78% of that fat is monounsaturated, according to USDA data. They are also a strong source of manganese and thiamin, but low in protein and fiber compared with most nuts. Below are the USDA macadamia nut nutrition facts, what the research measured, the unusual story of FDA’s macadamia health claim, allergy facts, and why macadamia nuts and dogs do not mix.
Peptide Labs does not sell macadamia nuts or macadamia products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- One ounce of raw macadamia nuts has about 204 calories, 2.2 grams of protein and 2.4 grams of fiber.
- About 78% of the fat is monounsaturated; saturated fat is 3.4 grams per ounce, or 17% of the Daily Value.
- The same ounce covers about 51% of the Daily Value for manganese and 28% for thiamin in USDA data.
- FDA left macadamias out of its 2003 nut claim but allowed a separate qualified claim for them in 2017.
- Macadamia is an FDA major tree nut allergen, and veterinary reports link macadamias to illness in dogs.
Macadamia nut nutrition per ounce
The table uses the USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy entry “Nuts, macadamia nuts, raw” (FDC 170178), converted to a 1-ounce serving of 28 grams, which USDA lists as 10 to 12 kernels. The percent Daily Value (%DV) uses the FDA Daily Values printed on Nutrition Facts labels.
| Nutrient (raw macadamia nuts) | Per 1 oz (28 g) | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 204 | Not applicable |
| Protein | 2.2 g | 4% |
| Total fat | 21.5 g | 28% |
| Saturated fat | 3.4 g | 17% |
| Monounsaturated fat | 16.7 g | Not set |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0.4 g | Not set |
| Carbohydrate | 3.9 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% |
| Manganese | 1.17 milligrams | 51% |
| Thiamin (vitamin B1) | 0.34 milligrams | 28% |
| Copper | 0.21 milligrams | 24% |
| Magnesium | 37 milligrams | 9% |
| Iron | 1.0 milligrams | 6% |
| Potassium | 104 milligrams | 2% |
The fat profile is what makes macadamias different. Monounsaturated fat dominates, much as it does in olive oil and avocado oil, while polyunsaturated fat is very low. USDA also lists about 3.7 grams per ounce of a less common 16-carbon monounsaturated fat (listed as 16:1, the group that includes palmitoleic acid), about 17% of the total fat. Carbohydrate is only about 4 grams per ounce, which is why macadamias show up in low-carb eating patterns. Manganese and thiamin are the mineral and vitamin strengths; protein is the weak spot, at less than half of what almonds supply.
How the saturated fat compares
At 3.4 grams per ounce, macadamias have more saturated fat than most nuts, though far less than coconut oil or butter. Among common nuts, only Brazil nuts come close in USDA data. That detail matters for the FDA claim history below.
Macadamia nuts benefits: what the research shows
Macadamia research is thin compared with almonds or walnuts. The study most often cited is a 2008 randomized crossover feeding trial (Griel and colleagues, Journal of Nutrition, NIH-funded) in 25 adults with mildly high cholesterol. All food was provided, and each diet lasted five weeks.
- Total and LDL cholesterol: both were lower on the macadamia-rich diet than on a typical American diet with more saturated fat.
- Non-HDL cholesterol and ratios: also improved on the macadamia diet.
- Triglycerides: did not change.
This was a small, short study, and the comparison was against a diet higher in saturated fat, so the result says more about swapping fats than about macadamias alone. Lab studies on macadamia oil exist, but they are animal or cell studies. Macadamias do not replace cholesterol medicine or advice from your clinician.
FDA's separate macadamia claim
When FDA allowed its qualified nut claim in 2003, it excluded macadamias, along with Brazil nuts, cashews and some pine nuts, because their saturated fat exceeded the limit for health claims. In 2017, after a petition from a macadamia grower, FDA issued a separate letter saying it would not object to a narrower claim. The approved wording begins “Supportive but not conclusive research shows” and requires a diet that does not raise saturated fat or calorie intake. FDA described the evidence as consistent but limited, and tied it to macadamias replacing other sources of saturated fat in the diet, even though the nuts are not low in fat or saturated fat.
Macadamia nut calories and how they compare
Macadamia nut calories are the highest of the common nuts: about 204 per ounce raw or dry roasted in USDA data, compared with roughly 160 for pistachios or almonds. Because each kernel is large, an ounce is only 10 to 12 nuts, which makes counting easy. Note that the 2023 review showing lower absorbed energy from several nuts did not include macadamias, so their label calories have not been checked the same way.
| Nut (USDA entry) | Calories per oz | Protein | Saturated fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macadamia nuts, raw (170178) | 204 | 2.2 g | 3.4 g | 2.4 g |
| Pecans, raw (170182) | 196 | 2.6 g | 1.8 g | 2.7 g |
| Brazil nuts (170569) | 187 | 4.1 g | 4.6 g | 2.1 g |
| Almonds, raw (170567) | 164 | 6.0 g | 1.1 g | 3.5 g |
| Pistachios, raw (170184) | 159 | 5.7 g | 1.7 g | 3.0 g |
For different strengths, see almonds for protein and vitamin E, walnuts for plant omega-3, hazelnuts for manganese and copper, and our sibling guide to pistachios, the lowest-calorie nut in the table. Our Mediterranean diet guide shows how nuts fit into an overall eating pattern.
Raw, roasted, salted and coated
- Raw vs dry roasted: USDA lists the same calories per ounce; roasting lowers manganese and thiamin somewhat.
- Salted: USDA lists about 100 milligrams of sodium per ounce for dry roasted salted macadamias, about 4% of the Daily Value.
- Chocolate-covered and honey-roasted: these add sugar and calories on top of an already energy-dense nut, so check the Nutrition Facts panel.
- Macadamia oil: keeps the monounsaturated fat but loses the fiber, protein and minerals of the whole nut.
Macadamia nut allergy and FODMAPs
FDA lists “Macadamia nut/Bush nut” among the tree nuts it considers major food allergens, so packaged foods must declare it. Macadamias belong to the Proteaceae plant family, which is unrelated to cashew and pistachio, but anyone with a diagnosed tree nut allergy should follow their allergist’s advice rather than assume a different nut is safe; our elimination diet guide explains why self-testing has limits. On the gut side, Monash University lists macadamias as a low FODMAP nut, which matters for people with diagnosed IBS working with a dietitian; see our low FODMAP diet guide.
Macadamia nuts and dogs
Macadamias are a well-known pet hazard. A 2000 report from the ASPCA’s animal poison center (Hansen and colleagues, Veterinary and Human Toxicology) described 29 dogs that ate macadamia nuts. Signs included weakness, depression, vomiting, wobbly gait, tremors and raised body temperature, usually starting within 12 hours. The dogs in that report recovered within one to two days, and the cause is still unknown. Keep macadamias, and cookies or trail mixes that contain them, away from dogs, and call your veterinarian or an animal poison line if a dog eats some.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are macadamia nuts good for you?
USDA data show they are rich in monounsaturated fat, manganese and thiamin, but high in calories and low in protein. A small trial linked them to lower LDL cholesterol.
How many calories are in an ounce of macadamia nuts?
About 204 raw or dry roasted in USDA data, for roughly 10 to 12 kernels.
What are the main macadamia nuts benefits in research?
A 2008 feeding trial found lower total and LDL cholesterol versus a diet higher in saturated fat. Evidence is limited.
Did FDA approve a heart claim for macadamia nuts?
In 2017 FDA said it would not object to a qualified claim with limited evidence. That is weaker than an authorized claim.
Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?
No. Veterinary reports link macadamias to weakness, vomiting and tremors in dogs. Call a vet if a dog eats some.
Are macadamias low carb?
Yes. USDA lists about 4 grams of carbohydrate per ounce, one of the lowest among nuts.
For more nut and seed profiles, see our magnesium foods list and our GLP-1 diet guide.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Pistachios: USDA Nutrition per Ounce, Calories, Research and Allergy Facts, Hazelnuts: USDA Nutrition per Ounce, Calories, Research and Allergy Notes, Pecans: USDA Nutrition per Ounce, Calories and What Studies Show.