Macaroni and Cheese
What You Should Know
You'd spot this at Whole Foods in the refrigerated prepared meals or specialty ready-meals section — a creamy, restaurant-style mac and cheese for a quick weeknight dinner or indulgent side. It reads nostalgic and comforting due to real cheeses, butter and cream, but the texture and stability are boosted by additives like xanthan and guar gum and a colorant in oil. Those recognizable ingredients plus a few industrial additives point to a processed, convenience-focused product rather than a homemade dish.
Nutrition Facts
Ingredients
Macaroni, &, Cheese, (elbow, macaroni, [enriched, unbleached, durum, wheat, semolina,, egg, whites,, niacin,, ferrous, sulfate,, thiamine, mononitrate,, riboflavin,, folic, acid],, milk, [pasteurized, milk,, vitamin, d3],, water,, cheddar, cheese, [pasteurized, milk,, cheese, cultures,, salt,, enzymes],, white, cheddar, cheese, [pasteurized, milk,, cheese, cultures,, salt,, enzymes],, heavy, cream,, butter, [cream,, salt],, unbleached, wheat, flour,, sea, salt,, cornstarch,, stabilizers, [xanthan, gum,, guar, gum],, white, pepper,, annatto, extract, [canola, oil,, annatto, (color)])..
Flagged Ingredients:
- •canola oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
- •annatto - Artificial coloring
Dietary Labels
Ultra-Processing Assessment
Processed Food
Why this score?
Primary ingredients are whole-food based (pasta, cheeses, milk, butter), but the presence of stabilizers (xanthan gum, guar gum), added color in oil, and a prepared formulation indicate industrial processing consistent with NOVA group 3 (processed foods).
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Common Questions about Macaroni and Cheese
The Mac and Cheese is a comforting meal that can definitely fit into a balanced diet, but calling it 'healthy' really depends on your personal dietary goals. With 240 calories and 10 grams of protein per serving, it’s a satisfying option, but it's also higher in saturated fat and sodium. So, if you're watching those numbers, enjoy it in moderation!