Most people believe it’s a better-for-you alternative to traditional boxed mac and cheese, but is Annie’s Mac and Cheese healthy for you? Our expert dietitian provides an unbiased, transparent review of the nutrition facts and ingredient list to help you make an informed choice at the grocery store.
About Annie’s Mac and Cheese
Annie’s is a boxed macaroni and cheese product that contains 80% organic ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors.
Annie’s Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Organic pasta: pasta made from refined (white) flour.
Whey cultured cream: cream and bacterial cultures.
Butter: source of saturated fat in Annie’s.
Dried Cheddar Cheese: made with milk, bacterial culture, salt, and non-animal microbial enzymes.
Salt: added for flavoring.
Corn Starch: used to thicken the cheese sauce.
Natural flavor: flavoring agent. See What are Natural Flavours and Should You Avoid Them? for everything you need to know.
Silicon dioxide: an anti-caking agent.
Skim milk: used as part of the cheese sauce.
Annato extract: added as a natural source of color.
Sodium phosphate: an emulsifier, thickening, and stabilizing agent.
Citric acid: used in cheese making.
Lactic acid: used in cheese making.
Priority allergens
Contains wheat and milk. Always check the product label for up-to-date ingredient and allergen information before consuming.
Annie’s Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts
Per 85g (1/2 of a 170g box)
Calories: 320
Fat: 4.5g, from cheese and butter.
Saturated fat: 2.5g, from cheese and butter.
Carbohydrates: 60g, from pasta.
Fiber: 4g, from pasta.
Sugars: 8g, from milk.
Protein: 10g, from cheese, milk and pasta.
Sodium: 560mg, from cheese and added salt.
Potassium: 400mg, from pasta and cheese.
Other micronutrients: calcium 75mg, iron 1mg.
Is Annie’s Mac and Cheese healthy?
We scored Annie’s Mac and Cheese at a 42 out of 100. On the positive side, Annie’s provides a source of fiber and protein. It is also free of artificial flavors and colors. However, Annie’s is high in saturated fat and sodium. As a meal option, it lacks the balanced nutrition that a complete meal should have. I get that boxed mac and cheese can be a family favorite (in my house too!), so I suggest serving it with a side of vegetables and additional protein to keep things balanced. Think: 1/2 your plate veggies, 1/4 plate protein, 1/4 plate mac and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Annie’s Mac and Cheese vegetarian?
Annie’s Mac and Cheese is suitable for a vegetarian diet that includes dairy.
Is Annie’s Mac and Cheese gluten-free?
No, Annie’s is made with wheat pasta and is not gluten-free.
Is there dairy in Annie’s Mac and Cheese?
Yes, Annie’s contains dairy.
Is Annie’s Mac and Cheese better than Kraft?
We’ve compared the two products in a previous post. Check out our full comparison: Kraft vs. Annie’s Mac and Cheese: which is healthier? for everything you need to know!
How can you make Annie’s Mac and cheese healthier?
We suggest serving Annie’s Mac and Cheese as a side dish with a source of protein and vegetables.
Is Annie’s Mac and Cheese a balanced meal?
Annie’s is not a balanced meal as it mostly contains carbohydrates and a moderate amount of protein. We suggest serving Annie’s Mac and Cheese as a side dish with a source of protein and vegetables to keep things balanced.
Is there protein in Annie’s Mac and Cheese?
There is 10g of protein per serving of Annie’s Mac and Cheese.
Related Posts:
- Kraft vs. Annie’s Mac and Cheese: which is healthier?
- Are Goldfish Crackers Healthy? Dietitian Review
- Are Cheez-It Crackers Healthy? Dietitian Review
Sources:
List of Permitted Anti-Caking Agents, Health Canada, 2022.
List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing, Thickening Agents, Health Canada, 2023.
