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
- 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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