Maintaining a healthy diet in order to lose weight can be difficult. In addition to ensuring you’re getting enough nutrients in each meal with all the right foods, you also need to be aware of some of the major pitfalls that could be holding you back from the body of your dreams. Unfortunately, many of the foods that are the most convenient (and the tastiest) are also extremely unhealthy and could result in weight gain. That includes processed items that might be lurking in your pantry as we speak. This is especially true when it comes to one cheesy, easy-to-make choice: boxed macaroni and cheese.
To learn more about why it’s a good idea to steer clear of boxed macaroni and cheese (such as Kraft), we spoke to dietitian Wendy Childs. She broke down a few of the health effects for us; find all of her expert insight below.
How boxed macaroni and cheese can lead to weight gain
At first glance, boxed macaroni and cheese may seem like a good idea for a quick dinner. As Childs points out, it's widely accessible, cheap, and simple to prepare for almost anyone. However, she warns, it doesn't make for a healthy meal. In fact, it may thwart your weight loss goals if eaten regularly.
"Regularly eating boxed macaroni and cheese can make it difficult to lose weight because it’s a calorie-dense food that is typically eaten in large quantities and as a main meal rather than a side dish," she tells us.
Here's the thing about macaroni and cheese: if you go overboard and eat the whole box, as many people do, you're going to be loading up on way too many calories without enough nutrients. "Because its appeal is convenience, we often don’t think to prepare anything else with it, leading us to eat the entire box in one sitting," Childs explains. "Not only do we eat more because it’s the only thing we are eating, but it can also take more in terms of volume for us to feel satisfied and like we’ve gotten enough food to qualify as a meal."
She adds that "macaroni and cheese often calls for added butter in addition to the cheese sauce, increasing the amount of calories."
All in all, Childs warns, "the combination of these factors can hinder any weight loss efforts."
Luckily, you don't have to cut your Kraft dinners out completely in order to slim down. Childs offers some solutions. "If you are looking to keep boxed macaroni and cheese in your rotation but want to make it healthier, it would be a good recommendation to add another protein source and a vegetable to it to stretch it out and make it more filling so you can eat less overall," she says, citing shredded chicken breast, beans, and peas as possible add-ins.
The possibilities don't stop there! Childs also suggests nutrient-packed veggies like broccoli, butternut squash, riced cauliflower, wilted kale, and spinach. "You will find that you’re making a larger quantity with these lower-calorie add ins, reducing the amount of calories you’re eating in one sitting," she says. Perfect!
It's important to remember that a healthy diet doesn't necessarily mean you have to go all or nothing with the things you love. When you make healthy compromises and enjoy everything in moderation, you'll still be taking one great step in the right direction. Throw in a killer workout routine, and you'll be on your way to a flatter belly in no time.
