#BEST CHEESE FOR MAC AND CHEESE FOR KIDS FULL#
Fiber is important because it helps keep us full and regulates digestion,” said Dillon.
“Whole grains provide more nutrients and fiber than their non-whole grain counterparts. Instead, look for terms with the word “whole,” like in “whole grain,” or “whole wheat,” as this correctly identifies if the product is whole grain. “Just because an ingredient list states multigrain, wheat, or stoneground it does not mean the product is a whole grain,” said Dillion. “And I’d aim to choose a product with a sodium content of 675 mg per serving or less.” Whole grains are another crucial componentĭetermining whether the product contains whole grains can be tricky. “I would compare sodium to rule out which boxes or frozen packages of mac and cheese to avoid purchasing,” she says. Packaged goods are a huge contributor to this issue. “Did you know between 95% of children ages 2-13 exceed the recommended sodium limits?” said Meghan Dillon, RD. One important factor to consider is the sodium Of course, most of us don’t often have the time for that kind of thing, so I spoke with some nutrition pros to help us find ways to make the boxed stuff a little better-for-you. And when you’re making a healthy, baked mac and cheese from scratch, you can determine exactly what goes into it. Mac and cheese, when made with enriched grains, can provide vitamins and minerals and absolutely be part of a balanced meal. Regardless, I always look to balance out the plate with lots of veggies and focus on portion sizes,” said Krawczy. I look at what all I am serving in that week, and try to balance out prepared foods with simple-made foods. “In a time crunch, I have definitely used boxed or prepared versions to feed my kids. “There are lots of quick and easy foods to feed kids, but probably the top of the list is mac and cheese,” says Stacey Krawczyk, MS, RD. But lately, a whole new category of boxed mac and cheese has made it to product shelves and freezer aisles - the kind that claims to be truly healthy.
Boxed mac and cheese tends to be a lot more value-friendly, it’s easy to prepare, and it’s a fast way to make food for kiddos. While my own mac and cheese tastes absolutely lean toward the homemade, baked variety, sometimes boxed is just the undeniable best way to go. I’m happy to report I rose to the challenge, albeit to mixed results. Read next: 10 Healthier Mac and Cheese Recipes (That Still Taste Great) My assignment: investigate exactly how healthy these can possibly be, and also determine if any of them were tasty enough to be worth the effort. That dream recently became my reality, but with one important caveat: I could only try the mac and cheese that purports to be healthy, or at least healthy-ish. It’s kind of a dream when your editor emails to ask if you’d consider eating a bunch of mac and cheese - for journalism’s sake.
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