4 Tips for Healthier Mac and Cheese
Cressida Martin
Helping frustrated Mums put their health and fitness back on their priority list so they feel energised and excited to smash their life goals | Personal Training | Health coaching | Community | Support | Accountability
One of my favourite ways to eat classic dishes is to “skinny†them up. This way you won’t feel deprived but get the added benefits of a healthy veggie packed meal.
Mac n Cheese is one of the best examples of this.
1. Swap out the White Pasta
While refined white pasta may remind you of your childhood, whole-wheat versions offer almost double the fibre to keep you fuller longer. There are also pastas available that are made solely from one or two high-protein, high-fiber ingredients, such as lentils, black beans, and peas. While these pastas may alter the flavor of your mac and cheese a touch, it’s worth the roughly 15 grams of protein and fiber per serving you get in return.
2. Add Strong Flavors
Bold cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, Gruyere, and sharp cheddar have strong, distinct flavors, which means a little goes a long way. Nutritional yeast can also up the cheesy flavor factor without the fat. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other outside-the-mac-and-cheese-box flavors like smoked paprika, fire-roasted tomatoes, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, nutmeg, and mustard, to cut back a little on the milk and cheese without sacrificing flavor. Seasoning your mac and cheese just right means you can cut back on salt, too.
3. Get Creative With Dairy
Mild-tasting cottage cheese can bulk up the sauce and give it a nice, creamy texture (just make sure to blend it first so the sauce isn’t a lumpy mess). You can also fold in some Greek yogurt for a tangier, higher protein sauce that balances the cheese and butter. Go ahead and choose full-fat — or low-fat dairy if you prefer. Replace the cheese with reduced fat cheese in part. Don’t ditch the fat completely you’ll lose the signature (and necessary) creaminess.
4. Add Veggies
Add pumpkin, squash, or carrot puree to the cheese sauce to add some extra nutrients including the carotenoids alpha and beta carotene, which can be converted by the body to vitamin A. Or sandwich a layer of spinach in the middle of baked mac and cheese to add vitamins and minerals such as niacin, zinc, and vitamins A and C. Replacing some of the pasta with cauliflower is another great way of bulking it up without losing the flavour.
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4 å¹´Great ideas!!! ??
Somatic Business Strategist for heart centred entrepreneurs??Amplify your growth??Guiding women to safely birth & grow their businesses, visions & life ??Nervous System Regulation??Passive Income Stream Creation ??
4 å¹´Great post Cressida Martin My son would appreciate this as he loves it!
Life Sciences Quality and Compliance Professional, MSQA, DPS, CQA, CQM (22.2 K connections)
4 å¹´it is great if home-made, and not from a box. If you use lentil/chick pea noodles and goat cheese.
Strategic Simplifier & Connector | Enabling Ambitious Female Business Owners in the ‘Messy Middle’ to Cut Through Complexity & Scale Sustainably | Partner & Chief Growth Strategist at Hill & Co.
4 å¹´Me too, always on the look out for other versions of great dishes ??
HR Manager
4 年I love Mac ‘n’ cheese Cressida so thank you for sharing these tips.