10 swaps for making mac and cheese healthier
- Macaroni and cheese is a comforting dish that can also be healthy.
- Make simple swaps for the butter, milk, and pasta to lighten the dish.
- Add items like lean protein and nutrient-rich veggies for a healthier, more flavorful mac 'n' cheese.
There's nothing quite as comforting as diving into a rich, creamy bowl of macaroni and cheese after a long day. Truthfully, we'd probably all love to enjoy this dish several times a week, but as it is laden with butter, milk, cream, and cheese, macaroni and cheese isn't the healthiest meal out there.
By playing with flavor combinations and ingredient swaps, you can add important vitamins and minerals while removing some of the heavier elements for more nutritious macaroni and cheese recipes that will nourish your body and soul.
Here are some tips for making your mac and cheese healthier.
SEE ALSO: There's more evidence that cheese is good for you
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First thing is first — choose homemade over boxed.
The packets of processed, powdered cheese in varieties of boxed mac 'n' cheese, have been found to contain phthalates. Many believe the chemicals can disrupt hormones, but more research is needed, according to the CDC.
Either way, making your own mac and cheese is usually healthier and more delicious anyway.
Reap the nutritional benefits of leafy greens.
Leafy greens offer a variety of nutrients. Greens like kale and spinach offer vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium.
Swap pasta for whole wheat options.
Whole wheat or whole grain pasta offers many more vitamins and minerals compared to white pasta. Alicia Romano, RD explained in Time that one cup of whole wheat pasta contains 23% of our daily fiber, while white pasta contains only 9%. Whole wheat pasta also provides 16% of your daily protein.
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