Taste Test Tuesday: The Blue Box Goes 50% Whole Grain (Mac & Cheese)
I've learned over the years that people tend to prefer/like what they had growing up - even if it doesn't necessarily make culinary sense. For example, some people who were raised on macaroni & cheese from a box will actually prefer this to a homemade version. People I've met admit this is wacky but many claim, albeit jokingly, that there must be something addictive in that orange powder.
I must be immune to the power of the orange powder because I would definitely opt for homemade when given a choice, but I can appreciate the appeal of getting a box of this stuff for only one dollar! So, with all of these blue box mac & cheese fans in mind, I thought I would blog about Kraft's new whole grain option!
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (made with 50% Whole Grain)
First, let me assure you since the pasta is only 50% whole grain, your family probably won't notice a big difference in taste. And while we are at it, let's take the fat and saturated fat down a notch by adding 1 1/2 tablespoons of less fat margarine (or whipped butter) instead of 3 tablespoons of stick butter or margarine.
Granted this is still a processed food/mix with ingredients like "yellow 5" and "milk protein concentrate", but you've at least increased the fiber and cut the fat in half...and that's a step in the right direction for all the people out there who can't let go of the blue box.
Each box makes 2.5 servings (1 cup each)
Per 1 cup serving (using fat free half and half and Land O Lakes Buttery Spread)
[Just the box + added ingredients = final total]
NOTE: If you use whipped butter instead, all of the numbers will be about the same except the saturated fat will increase by about 1.7 grams and cholesterol by 12 milligrams per serving.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: Taste Test Tuesday, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, mac and cheese, healthy diet
I must be immune to the power of the orange powder because I would definitely opt for homemade when given a choice, but I can appreciate the appeal of getting a box of this stuff for only one dollar! So, with all of these blue box mac & cheese fans in mind, I thought I would blog about Kraft's new whole grain option!
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (made with 50% Whole Grain)
First, let me assure you since the pasta is only 50% whole grain, your family probably won't notice a big difference in taste. And while we are at it, let's take the fat and saturated fat down a notch by adding 1 1/2 tablespoons of less fat margarine (or whipped butter) instead of 3 tablespoons of stick butter or margarine.
Granted this is still a processed food/mix with ingredients like "yellow 5" and "milk protein concentrate", but you've at least increased the fiber and cut the fat in half...and that's a step in the right direction for all the people out there who can't let go of the blue box.
Each box makes 2.5 servings (1 cup each)
Per 1 cup serving (using fat free half and half and Land O Lakes Buttery Spread)
[Just the box + added ingredients = final total]
Calories 260 + 58 = 318
Fiber 5 + 0 = 5
Total fat 3.5 + 5 = 8.5
Saturated fat 2 + 1.3 = 3.3
Carbohydrate 49 + 1.5 = 50.5
Protein 8 + .5 = 8.5
Cholesterol 15 + 1 = 16
Sodium 590 + 74 = 664
NOTE: If you use whipped butter instead, all of the numbers will be about the same except the saturated fat will increase by about 1.7 grams and cholesterol by 12 milligrams per serving.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: Taste Test Tuesday, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, mac and cheese, healthy diet
5 Comments:
I buy my daughter whole wheat noodles and put Trader Joes Grotto salt free tomato sauce on it. She loves it. Yes, she does get us to buy the Mac & Cheese...but it's whole grain...not $1.00/box for sure...more like $4.00/box.
half and half? wouldn't using skim or lowfat milk as the package directs be more reasonable?
To anonymous:
It's FAT FREE half and half and you can definitely use nonfat or lowfat milk (whatever you have in the refrigerator). I just like fat free half and half because it's a bit thicker in texture and that works well with this particular product.
--Elaine Magee
fat free half and half uses corn syrup as a thickening agent; so it's fat free, but...
Yes, while corn syrup is added, it isn't that much (in my opinion). That's why when you taste fat free half and half, it doesn't taste sweet. If there was that much sugar being added, it would have a sweetness.
Don't be misled either by the grams of sugar listed on the nutrition information label on fat free half and half...Because the natural milk sugars, also known as LACTOSE, are included in the "sugar" grams on the label. Check your carton of regular milk or buttermilk out. They have lots of grams of sugar listed there too (because of the lactose).
Thanks everyone for the great discussion!
Elaine Magee
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