When a product’s been popular for 85 years and counting, you know it’s something that lots of us love to eat, from kids to college students to people who just want a little comfort food at a cheap price.
That familiar blue Kraft box, introduced in 1937 at 19 cents, has lots of competition these days. While some parents try to limit this particular processed food, others are just happy that there’s something their kids will eat. And pediatric nutrition experts have their own thoughts, too.
This product is popular for a reason, and the pickier they are, the more kids tend to love it.
“For many children, especially those with sensory sensitivities, foods with simpler tastes and textures can feel safer for consumption, so mac and cheese fits this bill,” said Crystal Karges, a registered dietitian nutritionist and maternal health child feeding specialist.
RDN Kacie Barnes, founder of Mama Knows Nutrition, said that consistency is one reason for the dish’s enduring popularity.
“A blueberry might be more sweet or sour from berry to berry, for example, but this is something that’s the same every time,” Barnes said.
“It’s soft, easy to eat, and full of sugar and lactose, so it’s sweet and tasty,” said Dr. Dina Kulik, a pediatrician and founder of Kidcrew Medical. “Kids crave carbs because they give you a sugar rush and make you happy from dopamine. But then your body releases insulin to bring sugar down, leaving you craving more.”
Kulik said she’s never seen a mac and cheese brand that she would consider to be “nutritious.”
“Most have tons of salt, no fiber and minimal protein,” she said.
Parents Weigh In
Nicole Celichowski has four kids, ranging in age from 7 to 17, all of them Kraft-loyal.
“We occasionally get Annie’s, store brands and ones with white cheese, which are fine, but not ‘real,’” Celichowski said. “Even the Kraft-shaped versions don’t taste as good. They’re fun, but the texture is all wrong.”
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