🧀 “Mac & Cheese Glow-Up: Is Goodles Worth the Hype?”
We’re putting Goodles head-to-head with Kraft and Annie’s to see who really serves up the best bowl—nutrition-wise, money -wise and taste-wise.
🛒 The Mac Match-Up:
Let’s be real: Mac and cheese is a top-tier comfort food. But in 2025, there are more options than ever. Some promise protein. Some say “organic.” Some just taste like your childhood. So, which one actually delivers on taste, nutrition, and satisfaction?
We’re breaking down:
Goodles Cheddy Mac + Shella Good
Kraft Original
Annie’s Organic Shells & White Cheddar
📊 Nutritional Throwdown (per 1 cup prepared):
Brand Calories Protein Fiber Added Sugar Sodium Fat (Sat)
Goodles 270 14g 7g 0g 600mg 4.5g (2g)
Kraft Original 350 9g 1g 9g 690mg 12g (4g)
Annie’s Organic 360 9g 3g 0g 540mg 9g (4g)
✅ Winner for Protein + Fiber: Goodles
🍽 Winner for Simplicity + Nostalgia: Kraft
🌱 Winner for Clean Ingredients: Annie’s
🍝 Ingredients Breakdown
Goodles:
Made with wheat + chickpea protein
Contains a blend of nutrients from broccoli, spinach, kale, pumpkin, etc.
Real cheese, no artificial flavors or preservatives
Kraft:
Enriched pasta + powdered cheese sauce
Contains preservatives and artificial color
9g of added sugar (yes, really)
Annie’s:
Organic wheat pasta
Real aged cheddar
No artificial flavors or preservatives
💵 Price Comparison (Per Box + Per Serving):
BrandBox Price (Est.). Servings/Box Cost/Serving
Goodles $2.49–$2.99 2.5 ~$1.00–$1.20
Kraft (Original) $1.00–$1.25 3 ~$0.33–$0.42
Annie’s Organic $2.79–$3.49 2.5 ~$1.12–$1.40
🧾 Notes:
Goodles is the mid-price option, but packs more nutrition into each bite.
Kraft is the most affordable (by far), but also the least nutrient-dense.
Annie’s charges for organic and brand appeal—but you don’t get a big bump in macros or micronutrients.
💡 RD Tip:
Cost matters. But so does what you’re getting for it.
Think of it this way:
Goodles gives you more protein, fiber, and nutrients for around $1 a serving.
Kraft is cheaper but comes with more sodium, sugar, and empty carbs.
Annie’s is clean but not complete—decent ingredients, lower protein, higher price.
If you're shopping on a budget and care about nutrition, Goodles actually delivers some of the best value per nutrient of the three.
🧠 RD Thoughts:
Goodles is trying to be more than mac & cheese—and honestly, they’re doing a decent job.
You’re getting:
More protein than 2 boiled eggs
Prebiotics + 21 micronutrients
Fiber that actually keeps you full
Kraft? It’s nostalgic, sure—but it’s also higher in fat, sodium, and added sugar, with almost no fiber. And Annie’s? A nice organic option, but nutritionally speaking… it’s kind of middle-of-the-road.
‼️BOTTOM LINE
Here is the NO BULL SHIT TRUTH: you absolutely can enjoy ANY MAC & CHEESE (with or) without added protein, and you should never feel guilty about it.
🥣 Here’s the Catch (because there always is):
Goodles is GOOD, but it still needs portion control. Just because it’s “better for you” or “healthier” doesn’t mean it’s calorie-free. If you're eating it thinking it's a free-for-all because of chickpea flour and vitamins, you’ll be surprised how fast it adds up.
🥦 How to Upgrade Any Mac & Cheese:
Add protein: grilled chicken, turkey sausage, tuna, or even cottage cheese
Add volume: broccoli, peas, spinach, or riced cauliflower
Add balance: serve with a big side salad or roast veggies
📣 Ready to Eat Better—Without Cutting Out Comfort?
If you’re trying to lose weight or feel better without cutting your favorite foods, that’s exactly what I help my clients do.
✅ Learn how to portion without punishing yourself
✅ Build meals that are actually satisfying
✅ Drop the “good” vs “bad” food drama
👉 Work with me 1:1
👉 Or join the Empowered Nutrition app community for support, recipes, and real-life tools