Macaroni and cheese
Trader Joe's Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 56
Trader Joe's Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese scores 56 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 5 points Saturated fat 4.9 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong
- minus 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better macaroni and cheese
-
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 87 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Pasta And Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 86 out of 100 , 30 points higher -
White cheddar Mac n cheese Good Food Made Simple · 9.4 oz/267 g Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 94 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
White cheddar mac & cheese Good & Gather · 22 oz/624 g Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 93 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Lean Cuisine · 8 oz No seed oils · No maltodextrin Score 78 out of 100 , 22 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 2.5 points
- Safflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 5.4 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Saturated fat 4.9 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 0.7 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 357 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 44.5 = 55.5 → 56
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 357 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 8.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 4.9 g |
| Trans fat | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25.5 g |
| Sugars | 5.4 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 4.4 g |
| Salt | 0.7 g |
Serving: 0.333 box (204 g)
Ingredients
- wheat flour
- niacin
- ferrous sulfate
- thiamine mononitrate
- folic acid
- riboflavin
- whey permeate
- salt
- cornstarch
- natural flavors
- annatto extract
- paprika extract
- maltodextrin
- safflower oil
- pasteurized milk
- cheese culture
- microbial enzymes
- citric acid
- nonfat dry milk
- dehydrated butter oil
- sodium citrate
- xanthan gum
Label text, as published
wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, riboflavin, whey permeate, salt, cornstarch, natural flavors, annatto extract, paprika extract, maltodextrin, safflower oil, pasteurized milk, cheese culture, microbial enzymes, citric acid, nonfat dry milk, dehydrated butter oil, sodium citrate, xanthan gum
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More macaroni and cheese on GoodSwap
-
Mac & Cheese Kraft · 7.25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Cheddy Mac Creamy Cheddar And Macaroni Goodles · 6 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 52 out of 100 Okay -
Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Annie's · 71 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltCertified organicNo synthetic dyes Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Voila Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese Skillet Birds Eye · 42 oz Ultra-processedContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
Deluxe Shells & Aged Cheddar Simply Nature Ultra-processedHigh in saltCertified organicSeed-oil free Score 61 out of 100 Good -
Shells & Cheese Velveeta · 12 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 56 out of 100 Okay
More from Trader Joe's
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Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread Trader Joe's · 24 oz Score 86 out of 100 Excellent -
Vanilla Almond Granola Trader Joe's · 16 oz Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
creamy dreamy HUMMUS Trader Joe's · .8 oz Score 77 out of 100 Good -
Ube Tea Cookies Purple Yam Shortbread Cookies Trader Joe's · 10 oz Score 8 out of 100 Bad
Sources
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
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“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org