Kraft Mac & cheese for many remind them of a simpler time when mom would whip up a nice soothing meal of mac & cheese.
Well now you’re an adult and life’s demands have been weighing on you both physically and mentally. You look in the mirror and decide to try out this thing called a ketogenic diet while this may be a “fad” diet you decide to try it out anyway.
Well, let me help you figure out if this childhood favorite fits into your new diet plan with concise & sound advice. Here are the 3 reasons why you should not eat Kraft Mac & Cheese while on a keto diet:
Reason #1 – Too Much Carbohydrates
The carbohydrate count is very high given the serving size.
For example, a moderately active obese man aged 36-40 years old would need approximately 2,600 calories per day.
This calorie need would equate to 65 grams of carbohydrate per day. A single serving of kraft contains a total of 41g of carbohydrate this lends itself to being a poor choice for those following a ketogenic diet.
Reason #2 – Low in Fiber Content
The food provides a low volume given the amount of carbohydrates contributed towards the diet.
High volume, low carbohydrate options are a superior source in a ketogenic diet. These would include foods with high in fiber content.
These could include food such as kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, radishes, celery & mushrooms.
A higher volume of food for a lower carbohydrate count will contribute towards elevated levels of satiety following a ketogenic diet.
Reason #3 – It’s A Highly Processed Food
It is a refined, pre-packaged food dense in calories and low in nutrient density. This food at 230 calories per servings provides little nutrition compared to whole food high fat sources such as nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, brazil nuts, etc.
These foods while being more ketogenic friendly also provided a massive array of vitamins & minerals necessary for health.
According to a 2013 study, nut consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of mortality in those who consumed at least 1-3 servings per week.
This amount is easily reachable on a ketogenic diet so substitution of Mac & Cheese with a choice like a salad with nuts is more beneficial for maintaining satiety, weight loss, and nutritional status.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are just a few reasons why Kraft Mac & Cheese may not be an ideal inclusion in a ketogenic diet. Sources that contribute more volume and nutrient density provide a much better option.
The total carbohydrates in Kraft do not necessarily exceed the daily limit for carbohydrates but, it would severely restrict the dietary options for the rest of the day.
