# Lean Cusine Feature Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Lean Cuisine - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Frozen Foods - **Size:** 8 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/lean-cuisine-cusine-feature-vermont-white-cheddar-mac-cheese-8-oz - **Slug:** `lean-cuisine-cusine-feature-vermont-white-cheddar-mac-cheese-8-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This is an industrially formulated, ready-to-heat frozen meal containing processed cheese preparations and modified food starch, consistent with NOVA Group 4 (ultra-processed) criteria. ## Review Lean Cuisine Protein Kick Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese is a single-serve frozen bowl that lives in the refrigerated frozen meals aisle, stacked alongside other microwavable entrees and branded diet-friendly frozen dinners. You’ll spot it near other Lean Cuisine varieties, Stouffer’s bowls, and low-calorie frozen options. It reads like a modernized TV-dinner: a creamy, pale white-cheddar sauce folded with short pasta in a microwave-safe plastic tray sealed under a cardboard sleeve. The brand leans on portion control and protein-focused messaging—“Protein Kick,” calorie counts, and talk of premium ingredients—positioning it for busy, calorie-conscious shoppers who want convenience without a heavy indulgence. The packaging emphasizes clean-label cues such as “no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives,” but it is not organic and contains industrial ingredients like modified food starch. In plain terms it’s a ready-to-heat, industrially prepared frozen meal. Sensory notes: the sauce is smooth and tangy with a dairy-forward cheddar flavor and a slightly elastic, al dente-to-soft pasta texture; bites can be creamier when stirred after microwaving. Typical usage is pragmatic and ritualized—grab from the freezer on a hurried weeknight, heat for about 5–6 minutes, peel back the film, stir, and eat straight from the tray or pair with a side salad. Occasions range from quick solo lunches to late-night comfort meals. Culturally it sits at the intersection of nostalgic comfort food and contemporary diet culture, marketed toward adults who seek familiar, comforting flavors in a controlled, convenient format. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1.0 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 280 - **Total fat:** 7g (9% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 4.5g (23% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 20mg (7% DV) - **Sodium:** 800mg (35% DV) - **Total carbs:** 35g (13% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 4g - **Protein:** 18g ## Ingredients Cheese Sauce: Skim Milk, Reduced Fat Vermont Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Low Fat Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Vitamin A Palmitate), Water, Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Modified Food Starch, Salt, Butter (Cream, Salt), Spices. Cooked Pasta (Water, Semolina Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten). ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, post-workout, movie-night - **Vibes:** convenient, comforting, nostalgic, practical ## FAQ ### Is the Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese healthy? It depends on what you mean by healthy! With 280 calories and 18 grams of protein, it can fit into a balanced meal, especially if you're looking for a quick and satisfying option. However, it does have a higher sodium content at 800 mg, so if you're watching your salt intake, that’s something to keep in mind. ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese contains dairy, specifically reduced fat Vermont cheddar cheese and butter. So, if you're following a vegan diet, you'll want to skip this one and look for a plant-based mac & cheese alternative instead. ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, this mac & cheese is not gluten-free. The cooked pasta is made from semolina wheat flour, which contains gluten. If you need to avoid gluten, there are plenty of gluten-free pasta options available on the market that you could try instead. ### Does it contain seed oils? Nope, you won't find any seed oils in this dish! The ingredient list focuses on traditional components like butter and cheese, which means it steers clear of those controversial oils that some people prefer to avoid. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! The Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese is sweetened naturally, so you can enjoy it without worrying about hidden sugars or chemical sweeteners. Just keep in mind that it does have a modest amount of total sugars from the cheese and pasta. ### Is it high in sugar? Not at all! With only 4 grams of total sugars, this mac & cheese is pretty low in sugar. So, if you’re looking for a savory meal without the sugar rush, this one fits the bill nicely. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider homemade mac & cheese with whole-grain pasta and plenty of veggies mixed in for added nutrition. There are also some brands that offer lighter or plant-based versions that may align better with specific dietary preferences. ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! The Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese can be a fun and tasty option for kids. Just be mindful of the sodium content if it's a frequent choice, and maybe pair it with some colorful veggies on the side to round out the meal! ### Is it good for weight loss? It can be part of a weight loss plan, especially if you enjoy it in moderation. With a decent protein content and relatively low calories, it could satisfy a craving without derailing your goals, but balance it with plenty of whole foods for optimal nutrition. ### Is it ultra-processed? The Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese is certainly processed, but it doesn’t fall into the ultra-processed category that includes lots of additives and preservatives. It has recognizable ingredients, but if you're aiming for minimally processed foods, you might want to look for options with fewer processed components. ## Related products - [Amy's Organic Veggie Loaf](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/amys-kitchen-organic-veggie-loaf-10-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/amys-kitchen-organic-veggie-loaf-10-oz - [Amy's Burrito, Gluten Free Cheddar Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/amys-kitchen-burrito-gluten-free-cheddar-cheese-550-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/amys-kitchen-burrito-gluten-free-cheddar-cheese-550-oz - [Turkey Hill Ice Cream, Fat Free, No Sugar Added Recipe, Vanilla Bean](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/turkey-hill-ice-cream-fat-free-no-sugar-added-recipe-vanilla-bean-46-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/turkey-hill-ice-cream-fat-free-no-sugar-added-recipe-vanilla-bean-46-oz - [Tillamook Oregon Cherry Ice Cream](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tillamook-oregon-cherry-ice-cream-48-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tillamook-oregon-cherry-ice-cream-48-oz - [Tru Fru Bluberies Wht Drk Choc](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tru-fru-bluberies-wht-drk-choc-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tru-fru-bluberies-wht-drk-choc-8-oz - [M&M's Ice Cream Vanilla Cookie Sandwiches](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mms-ice-cream-vanilla-cookie-sandwiches-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mms-ice-cream-vanilla-cookie-sandwiches-16-oz - [MorningStar Farms Chik'n Nuggets](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/morningstar-farms-chikn-nuggets-1050-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/morningstar-farms-chikn-nuggets-1050-oz - [Italian Village Cheese Ravioli, Mini Round](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/italian-village-cheese-ravioli-mini-round-12-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/italian-village-cheese-ravioli-mini-round-12-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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