Expert shares hacks to make the otherwise unhealthy mac and cheese more nutritious

Who doesn’t love a decadent and luxurious bowl of mac and cheese? Gooey and dripping with molten gold that’s both warm and comforting on a chilly winter afternoon, mac and cheese makes for a staple late night snack for working professionals and college going students. But it’s no surprise that this makes for a supremely unhealthy meal.

Nutritionist and holistic coach Vriti Srivastav said that the main issue with mac and cheese is its high fat and sodium content, as well as reduced protein and fibre. She shared a couple quick tips and tricks to make the dish healthier.

At first, she recommended switching out the regular macaronis with lentil based pasta, or chickpea or whole grain pasta, so as to avoid consuming plain flour. Secondly, for the sauce, she suggested going for a white sauce that is milk based and has been thickened using a very small amount of whole wheat flour, a little bit of maida or potato to thicken it. “You can also thicken it using cottage cheese puree or use Greek yoghurt. If you like your sauce to be very creamy, you can also add some blended cashews into the white sauce,” she said.

The next step is to add some protein. “Cottage cheese is a good source. But apart from that, some additions that can be made include green peas, edamame, or shredded chicken,” added the nutritionist.

Here’s how you can make mac and cheese healthier (Source: Freepik)

If somebody likes spinach, Srivastav suggested adding pureed spinach along with a lot of vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, a bit of corn, carrots or french beans to meet the fiber and protein content. “In order to make it a low carb, which is basically rich in complex carb and low in fat, instead of butter, try using olive oil or avocado oil or a bit of flaxseed oil,” she advised.

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When it comes to the high sodium content in mac and cheese, Srivastav recommended replacing salt with dry herbs and seasonings like parsley, oregano, thyme and rosemary to add a lot of flavour to the dish. Although difficult, processed cheese can be replaced with grated parmesan cheese, as is generally done to make the sauce of aglio e olio pasta.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.