#Protein mac and cheese dishes how to#

Swap cream and milk for unsweetened nut milk, which may reduce calories.

Halve the amount of cheese used and add herbs and spices to flavor the dish instead.

Add vegetables to your mac and cheese to increase the fiber and nutrient contents and decrease the calories per serving.

Follow the directions for вЂњlight preparationвЂќ on boxed mac and cheese products, as they require less butter and milk.

Use cauliflower or broccoli florets instead of plain macaroni to reduce carbs and calories.

Use high protein, high fiber pasta made from beans or chickpeas instead of plain macaroni to increase its protein and fiber contents.

Here are a few healthier swaps for your macaroni and cheese: These rich ingredients make mac and cheese a tasty dish to enjoy in moderation, but thankfully, there are easy swaps you can make to reduce the calorie content or make the dish healthier. Some versions also include cream cheese or butter, which provide additional fat and calories. Mac and cheese is typically made with rich, high calorie ingredients like pasta, cheese, and milk or cream.

#Protein mac and cheese dishes how to#

How to reduce the calorie count of mac and cheese ItвЂ™s also high in sodium with 600вЂ“1,200 mg per serving. Macaroni and cheese is typically high in calories, containing 300вЂ“500 calories per serving. In return, you have the option to omit adding extra sodium.ДЄs all of these options are relatively high in calories and sodium for 1 cup (about 150вЂ“250 grams) of food, you should only eat mac and cheese in moderation or as an occasional treat as part of a healthy diet. Meanwhile, homemade mac and cheese - both regular and gluten-free - has the highest calorie count, as this version is typically made with large amounts of cheese, milk, cream cheese, or butter. ItвЂ™s recommended that most people donвЂ™t exceed around 2,300 mg per day of this mineral, as excessive intake may cause high blood pressure in some individuals (8, 9)Дaiya вЂњCheezy MacвЂќ - a dairy-free brand - has the lowest calorie count with only 300 calories per 1/3 package (100 grams), which equates to about a 1-cup serving. Eating more calories than you burn, regardless of which foods they come from, can lead to weight gain.ДЄdditionally, mac and cheese is high in sodium. Mac and cheese contains large amounts of fat and refined carbs, both of which contribute to its high calorie count.