FUELED Wellness + Nutrition | 5 Instant Mac & Cheeses You Can Feel Good About

Molly Kimball
·2 min read

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Boxed mac and cheese has come a long way, with options on shelves that are protein-rich, gluten-free, vegan and more. Here’s a rundown of five brands we’re loving now; give these a try the next time you’re whipping up a side of mac and cheese in a pinch!

Banza Mac & Cheese made with chickpea pasta | GF

  • Made with chickpea pasta and real cheese

  • More than 2x more fiber and 66% more protein than Kraft mac and cheese

  • Per cup: 260 calories, 38 grams carbs, five grams fiber, four grams sugar (zero added sugar), 15 grams protein

Banza Plant-Based Mac & Cheese made with chickpea pasta | GF, Vegan

  • Made with chickpea pasta and vegan cheese [including nutritional yeast, coconut oil, parsnip]

  • 3x more fiber and 33% more protein than Kraft mac and cheese

  • Per cup: 210 calories, 38 grams carbs, six grams fiber, two grams sugar (zero added sugar), 12 grams protein

Banza Mac & Cheese Microwaveable Bowls | GF

  • Pasta blend of white flour, chickpea protein, wheat protein and vegetable nutrient extracts; real cheddar

  • More fiber, more protein

  • Per serving (slightly less than one cup): 210 calories, 33 grams carbs, four grams fiber, four grams sugar (zero added sugar), 12 grams protein

Goodles Cheddy Mac

  • Pasta blend of white flour, chickpea protein, wheat protein and vegetable nutrient extracts; real cheddar

  • More than 3x more fiber and 55% more protein than Kraft mac & cheese

  • Per cup: 260 calories, 47 grams carbs, seven grams fiber, six grams sugar (zero added sugar), 14 grams protein

Goodles Gluten Free Cheddy Mac | GF

  • Pasta blend of corn, brown rice, chickpeas, wheat protein and vegetable nutrient extracts; real cheddar

  • 2x more fiber and 50% more protein than Kraft mac and cheese

  • Per cup: 330 calories, 57 grams carbs, four grams fiber, six grams sugar, 13 grams protein

FOR REFERENCE | Kraft Original Mac & Cheese

  • Per cup: 250 calories, 49 grams carbs, two grams fiber, nine grams sugar, nine grams protein

  • Ingredients include white pasta (wheat flour, durum flour), cheese sauce mix (whey, milkfat, salt, milk protein concentrate), calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate

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Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian + nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles + TV segments at www.mollykimball.com, and sign up for Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter, here.

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