Pros and Cons of Just Eating Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is an all-time favorite comfort food. It is quick, cheap, and filling. Homemade or store-bought, it can be an everyday meal, and it is a satisfying meal for even the pickiest of eaters. But what if your whole diet consisted entirely of mac and cheese?

Living off 100% mac and cheese dinners doesn’t seem bizarre. After all, we are busy, and sometimes picky eaters (which is a little disturbing). On the other hand, there are many important nutritional and lifestyle factors.

In this article, we will try to highlight what makes mac and cheese a great convenience food, while bringing to attention the negatives of only eating mac and cheese.

Pros of just eating mac and cheese

1. Cheap and Available
In terms of food these days, most mac and cheese is pretty cheap, especially store-bought mac and cheese. Depending on the kind you buy, it has minimal ingredients and is sometimes as simple as boil water and add it to a bowl.

2. Simple and Quick to Cook
One of the most appealing balances with mac and cheese is meal convenience. Most mac and cheese can be prepared in under 15 minutes, a great balance for busy students and professionals or anyone who doesn’t feel like cooking.

3. Comforting and Fulfilling
The creamy taste and texture of mac and cheese created the ultimate comfort food and many food lovers feel a great sense of nostalgia when eating mac and cheese. The mac and cheese “hit” is the ultimate feel good comfort food.

4. Long Shelf Life
Both boxed mac and cheese, and its ingredients (dried pasta and powdered cheese) can have an impressive shelf life (typically months). This makes it a great stocking item or emergency meal item.

5. Optional Ingredients
With mac and cheese being such a blank canvas, it doesn’t take much to start modifying the flavor and ingredients. You can add a little broccoli, bacon, or hot sauce and totally change the dish.

Kid-Friendly
Most kids love mac and cheese, which is why it is a dependable option when facing picky eaters or difficulty with meal planning.

Portion Control
You can prepare as little or as much as you want (based on your appetite or how many people you are feeding) which can be important for minimizing food waste.

Minimal Cooking Skills
Mac and cheese requires little or no cooking experience. It is a great, entry-level meal for someone learning how to cook.

Disadvantages of Only Eating Mac and Cheese

1. Lacks Nutritional Balance
In essence, mac and cheese is a high-carb and fat food but low in dietary essentials such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Relying strictly on mac and cheese for your sustenance can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

2. High in Sodium
Many boxed versions are overloaded with sodium, which can elevate blood pressure and increase your chances of developing heart disease over time.

3. Few Protein or Fiber
Mac and cheese is not a food that has much protein or fiber unless it has been fortified or supplemented with some other source of nutrition. For a balanced diet, we need a lot more.

4. Weight Gain
If you are eating foods that contain oversized calories and few nutrients regularly, then if you are not exercising or balancing that meal out with some other food, then you may be adding on some unwanted pounds.

5. Boredom or Fatigue or Food Fatigue
Eating the same food every day can become tiresome. Food fatigue also can reduce your appetite or cravings for non-healthy options.

6. Digestive Problems
A lack of variety or fiber in the diet can lead to constipation or other digestive problems over time. A cheese-heavy diet can cause discomfort for those with lactose intolerance as well.

7. Not sustainable long term
Eating mac and cheese is fine in moderation, but if you want to eat only mac and cheese, that is not healthy nor a recipe for good health long-term. It can lead to nutrient deficiencies that lead to fatigue, low immunity, poor mood, and more.

8. No Culinary Journey
When you depend on one food, you stop discovering other tastes and cuisines. While there is nothing wrong with mac and cheese, a varied palette of food options generally provides a greater satisfaction for you and more nutritional regularity.

Conclusion

Mac and cheese is a tasty and convenient meal choice that is sensitively priced and readily identifiable. Eating mac and cheese can be done regularly, but it is not the best thing for your overall positive health if mac and cheese is your main or only food.

Ideally, your diet has variety with fruits and vegetables, proteins and whole grains all which combine to yield optimal health. Enjoy your mac and cheese, even with other nutritious choices! Keeping your body and taste cues happy is the best of both worlds!