# Kraft Original Mac & Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Dinner, 2.05 oz Cup > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Kraft - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Canned & Packaged Goods - **Size:** 2.05 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/kraft-original-mac-cheese-macaroni-and-cheese-dinner-205-oz-cup-205-oz - **Slug:** `kraft-original-mac-cheese-macaroni-and-cheese-dinner-205-oz-cup-205-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial ingredients and additives (maltodextrin, modified food starches, corn syrup solids, emulsifiers, gums, phosphates) and is a ready-to-heat formulated product, fitting the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category. ## Review Kraft Original Mac & Cheese 2.05 oz Cup is a single-serve, microwavable comfort-food staple you’d find stacked on gondola shelves in the boxed/instant meals aisle, often near other microwave cups, ramen bowls, canned soups, and quick kids’ lunches. Shoppers pick it up on busy weeknights, during back-to-school runs, or when grabbing a portable snack for a road trip. The brand leans on decades of cultural familiarity—Kraft’s blue-and-yellow identity evokes childhood lunches and simple home cooking—targeting families, students, and time-pressed adults with a message of affordable, nostalgic convenience. The label leans into kid-friendly cues and a “no artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes” claim while not carrying organic certification; ingredient and nutrition panels reveal a processed formulation. In plain language: this is a highly processed, ready-made meal component assembled from refined pasta and a powdered cheese sauce with multiple additives. Sensory cues are immediate: yellow-orange creamy sauce coating small elbow macaroni, a soft, slightly gummy pasta texture after microwaving, and a salty, sweet-savory cheese flavor with mouthcoating oils. Packaging is a disposable paper/plastic microwave cup with fill lines and a peel-back lid, designed for a quick ritual—add water to the line, microwave for minutes, stir in the powder, and eat from the cup. The product’s charm is its speed and familiar taste rather than culinary sophistication; it’s a solution for quick comfort, an impulse grab at checkout, or a nostalgic pantry fallback when time and ingredients are scarce. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 220 - **Total fat:** 3.5g (4% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 2g (10% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 490mg (21% DV) - **Total carbs:** 40g (15% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 5g - **Protein:** 7g ## Ingredients ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID); CHEESE SAUCE MIX (WHEY, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, MILK, PALM OIL, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, MILKFAT, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF CALCIUM CARBONATE, SODIUM TRIPHOSPHATE, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES, DRIED BUTTERMILK, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CREAM, LACTIC ACID, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, NONFAT DRY MILK, GUAR GUM, CHEESE CULTURE, WITH PAPRIKA, TURMERIC, AND ANNATTO ADDED FOR COLOR, ENZYMES, NATURAL FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM); MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, ACETYLATED MONOGLYCERIDES, SALT, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES. ## Flagged ingredients - **palm oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **glyceryl monostearate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **acetylated monoglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **paprika** (additive): Artificial coloring - **turmeric** (additive): Artificial coloring - **annatto** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, movie-night, road-trip - **Vibes:** nostalgic, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Kraft Mac & Cheese healthy? Well, 'healthy' can be a bit subjective, right? If you’re looking for a quick meal that’s comforting and satisfying, this mac & cheese hits the spot. But it's not exactly a nutrient powerhouse — it’s higher in sodium and lower in fiber, so maybe don’t make it your daily staple. ### Is it vegan? Nope! Kraft Mac & Cheese contains dairy, including milk and cheese, so it’s definitely not vegan. If you’re on a plant-based diet, there are some great vegan mac options out there that use cashew or almond cheese instead! ### Is it gluten-free? Sorry, gluten-free folks! This mac & cheese is made with enriched macaroni, which contains wheat flour. If you're avoiding gluten, there are gluten-free pasta alternatives available that can give you that creamy mac & cheese experience without the wheat. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, this mac & cheese includes palm oil and medium chain triglycerides, which are derived from plant sources. While some folks are concerned about seed oils, palm oil is often used for its stability and texture, so it’s all about balance and moderation. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, no artificial sweeteners here! The sweetness you see in the ingredient list comes from natural sources like corn syrup solids, which are just part of the cheese sauce mix. So, you can enjoy your mac & cheese without worrying about those sneaky sweeteners. ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With only 5 grams of total sugars per serving, it’s not classified as high in sugar. In fact, compared to many snacks out there, this mac & cheese keeps the sweetness in check, focusing more on that cheesy goodness. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you’re looking for a healthier twist, consider whole grain or legume-based pasta options and top them with a homemade cheese sauce made from nutritional yeast or cashews. There are also brands offering lower-sodium or organic mac options that might fit your health goals better! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Kids love the creamy, cheesy flavor of Kraft Mac & Cheese, making it a popular choice for family meals. Just keep in mind the sodium content and try to balance it out with some veggies or a side salad for a more rounded meal. ### Is it good for weight loss? While it’s not a diet food per se, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. If you're watching your calories, consider portion control or pairing it with a protein and veggies to make it more filling. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, Kraft Mac & Cheese is considered ultra-processed due to the extensive list of ingredients and additives. But let’s be real — sometimes we just want the convenience of a quick meal, and that’s okay! Just remember to enjoy it alongside more whole foods when you can. ## Related products - [Chef Boyardee, Mini Ravioli](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/chef-boyardee-mini-ravioli-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/chef-boyardee-mini-ravioli-15-oz - [Tonnino Tuna Light, Water](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tonnino-tuna-light-water-490-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tonnino-tuna-light-water-490-oz - [HORMEL Chili with Beans](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hormel-chili-with-beans-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hormel-chili-with-beans-15-oz - [Del Monte 50% Less-Salt Whole Kernal Corn](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/del-monte-50-less-salt-whole-kernal-corn-1525-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/del-monte-50-less-salt-whole-kernal-corn-1525-oz - [Annie's Homegrown Macaroni And Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/annies-homegrown-macaroni-and-cheese-6-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/annies-homegrown-macaroni-and-cheese-6-oz - [Lipton Soup Mix Noodle Soup, 2 Pack](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/lipton-soup-mix-noodle-soup-2-pack-450-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/lipton-soup-mix-noodle-soup-2-pack-450-oz - [Green Giant Cream Style Sweet Corn](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/green-giant-cream-style-sweet-corn-1475-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/green-giant-cream-style-sweet-corn-1475-oz - [Bumble Bee White Tuna in Water](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bumble-bee-white-tuna-in-water-20-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bumble-bee-white-tuna-in-water-20-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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