A Dietitian’s Goodles Mac and Cheese Review

Boxed mac and cheese is an easy, quick, cheap meal addition many families love. In a world where families are always looking for a healthier option, you may wonder if Goodles Mac and Cheese is a more nutritious option, and I have the answer for you.

Let me introduce myself. I’m Jenn, a registered dietitian nutritionist. My goal is to help busy families prioritize their health and find balance without sacrificing budget, flavor, or time.

About Goodles

Goodles is a newer pasta and mac and cheese brand that will soon be available on grocery store shelves. It was created by actress and model Gal Gadot and launched in November 2021. 

Goodles has 11 different varieties of boxed mac and cheese, including traditional cheddar, hatch pepper, Parmesan, cacio e Pepe, truffle, vegan, Smokey, and gluten free options. 

This year they released a deluxe version of their Mac and cheese which comes with ,cheese sauce instead of cheese powder. Currently there is a mild cheddar and an aged white cheddar version. 

, cheese sauce instead of cheese powder. Current varieties of their noodles include penne, cavatappi, and pipette. 

I expect Goodles to continue to expand its flavors and products in the future. 

Goodles Cheddy Mac Nutrition

Goodles offers 11 varieties of mac and cheese, but for this review, we’ll focus on their classic cheddar version. Each box contains dry noodles and a packet of cheddar cheese powder, that is to be mixed with milk and butter to enhance the flavor.

Goodles Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts

You can also learn more on the Goodles website.

Serving Size	2.6 oz dry mix (74 g)
Calories	260
Total Fat	3.5 g
Saturated Fat	1.5 g
Trans Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	10 mg
Sodium	590 mg
Total Carbohydrates	47 g
Dietary Fiber	7 g
Total Sugars	6 g
Added Sugar	0 g
Protein	14 g
Vitamin D	2 mcg
Calcium	127 mg
Iron	3 mg
Potassium	284 mg

What I love about Goodles Mac and Cheese as a Dietitian

As a dietitian, this is what I love about Goodles Mac and Cheese:

• It’s easy and convenient. When you’re in a pinch and need to feed your family, making a box of mac and cheese where all you have to do is boil noodles and then add milk, butter, and their cheese sauce doesn’t get much simpler
• It has more fiber and protein. Goodles has more fiber and protein per serving than other Mac and cheese brands. Most Americans are not getting enough fiber, so I am a BIG fan of this. 
• It had added vitamins and minerals. Some days, we don’t get enough fruit, veggies, whole grains, and legumes to get all the micronutrients we need. When you are in a pinch, at least you know your family is getting some of the nutrients you need.
• It is fairly inexpensive. A box of Goodles costs $2.79, about a dollar more than Annie’s or Kraft Mac and Cheese. 
• It tastes delicious. The added protein, fiber, and micronutrients don’t matter if your family won’t eat it, but Goodles tastes better than other high-fiber Mac and cheese brands I have tried.

A dietitians thoughts on processed foods like boxed Mac and Cheese

Even though this pasta is marketed as a “healthy” Mac and cheese option, it is still a processed food.  

But while we don’t want our entire diet to be made up of processed foods, they can still fit into your family’s diet. 

You shouldn’t feel guilty for having a day where you have to feed your family boxed Mac and cheese. 

What matters most is the overall quality of your diet, and processed foods can be part of that, especially when they provide your family with energy and nutrients when you need a quick, convenient meal. 

Goodles Mac and Cheese Vs Kraft Mac and Cheese

Now, is it healthier than Kraft?

Goodles is marketed as a “healthier” option compared to the classic Kraft Mac and Cheese. Let’s compare the nutrition facts side by side to see if that is the case!

	Goodles Mac and Cheese	Kraft Mac and Cheese
Serving Size	2.6 oz dry mix (74 g)	2.5 oz dry mix (70 g)
Calories	260	250
Total Fat	3.5 g	2 g
Saturated Fat	1.5 g	1 g
Trans Fat	0 g	0 g
Cholesterol	10 mg	5 mg
Sodium	590 mg	550 mg
Total Carbohydrates	47 g	49 g
Dietary Fiber	7 g	1 g
Total Sugars	6 g	7 g
Added Sugar	0 g	0 g
Protein	14 g	10 g
Vitamin D	2 mcg	0
Calcium	127 mg	120 mg
Iron	3 mg	2.7 mg
Potassium	284 mg	280 mg

The nutrition labels are similar, except the Goodles mac and cheese has more protein and fiber. 

 Goodles has six more grams of fiber per serving, four more grams of protein, and a little more of each micronutrient vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium. 

While they are similar, I love the additional fiber Goodles provides that helps manage blood sugar levels and increases satiety. 

Now, let’s compare the ingredients in each brand of mac and cheese. 

Kraft Mac and Cheese Ingredient List

Kraft Original Mac and Cheese Ingredients: Enriched Macaroni (Wheat Flour, Durum Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [Iron], Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1] , Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Cheese Sauce Mix (Whey, Milkfat, Salt, Milk Protein Concentrate, Sodium Triphosphate, Contains Less Than 2% Of Tapioca Flour, Citric Acid, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, With Paprika, Turmeric, And Annatto Added For Color, Cheese Culture, Enzymes) 

Goodles Mac and Cheese Ingredient List

Goodles Cheddy Mac and Cheese Ingredients: Goodles Noodles (wheat flour, chickpea protein, wheat protein, Nutrients extracted from [broccoli, spinach, kale, pumpkin, sweet potato, sunflower seed, cranberry, chlorella, maitake mushroom, shiitake mushroom]), Cheddar Cheese Blend (cultured milk, whey buttermilk, salt, disodium phosphate, color [annatto, paprika, turmeric], enzymes), Butter (cream, salt, enzymes) Salt, Tapioca Flour, Dried Maple Syrup, Lactic Acid

Goodles website states that they use a flour with 10 times more fiber than regular flour. They also add chickpea protein to boost protein content. Goodles uses no artificial flavors or preservatives. The added 21 nutrients that Goodles advertises comes from plants. 

Kraft also uses no artificial flavors, dyes, or preservatives. Kraft has enriched its noodles with micronutrients added to the product, which were lost during processing. 

Is Goodles Mac and Cheese Really Good for You?

Whether or not Goodles Mac and Cheese is “good” for you depends on your family and your family’s nutrient needs. 

For most healthy families, Goodle’s Mac and cheese is a great option when you need of a quick and convenient meal or side dish.

If you have dietary restrictions and need to watch sodium intake, the sodium content in Goodles is something to be aware of. 

To make Goodles more nutritious, I recommend adding a protein like chicken, tuna, or peas, and a fruit or vegetable on the side. 

Conclusion

As a dietitian, I believe that Goodles Mac and Cheese offers a compelling balance of convenience, taste, and nutrition for busy families. With its higher fiber and protein content compared to traditional boxed options, as well as added vitamins and minerals from plant-based sources, Goodles presents a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor.

While it’s essential to be mindful of the sodium content, incorporating Goodles into your family’s meal plans can be a wise choice. Add proteins or vegetables to enhance its nutritional value and create a more balanced meal. Remember, processed foods can fit into a healthy diet when used thoughtfully and in moderation.

I encourage you to explore the various flavors of Goodles Mac and Cheese and see how they can fit into your family’s lifestyle. In the comments below, share your experiences and favorite combinations.