Meals
Cracker Barrel Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Sharp White Cheddar
14 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 57
Cracker Barrel Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Sharp White Cheddar scores 57 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 7 points Salt 2.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 3 points 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), industrial protein 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 · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 30 points higher -
Pasta And Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 86 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
White cheddar mac & cheese Good & Gather · 22 oz/624 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
White cheddar Mac n cheese Good Food Made Simple · 9.4 oz/267 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese Trader Joe's · 6 oz Less salt · No seed oils Score 78 out of 100 , 21 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Sharp White Cheddar
Ingredients
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Sodium alginate minus 1.5 points
- Sorbic acid minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 3.6 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 2.1 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 327 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Protein 12.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 43 = 57
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [11]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 327 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 10.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43.9 g |
| Sugars | 4.1 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 12.2 g |
| Salt | 2.1 g |
Serving: 0.25 box (98 g)
Ingredients
- ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID)
- CHEESE SAUCE (CHEDDAR CHEESE, WHEY, CANOLA OIL, SKIM MILK, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, MILK, SALT, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WATER, LACTIC ACID, SODIUM ALGINATE, SORBIC ACID [PRESERVATIVE], MILKFAT, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES, ANNATTO EXTRACT [COLOR])
Label text, as published
ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), CHEESE SAUCE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], WHEY, CANOLA OIL, SKIM MILK, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF MILK, SALT, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WATER, LACTIC ACID, SODIUM ALGINATE, SORBIC ACID [PRESERVATIVE], MILKFAT, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES, ANNATTO EXTRACT [COLOR])
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More meals on GoodSwap
-
Carb Balance Flour Tortilla Wraps Mission · 340 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 46 out of 100 Okay -
Grain Free Taco Shells Siete · 5.5 oz/156 g Ultra-processedNo additivesSeed-oil free Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Tortilla Wraps Mission · 9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 30 out of 100 Poor -
Breakfast Bowl Bacon Eggs, Potatoes, Bacon & Cheddar Cheese Jimmy Dean · 7 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
Chicken & Herb Seasoned Rice Minute · 8.8 oz/250 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 40 out of 100 Okay -
Cheese Enchilada Amy's · 255 g Ultra-processedContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 71 out of 100 Good
More from Cracker Barrel
Sources
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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
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“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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EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
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“By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”
doi.org
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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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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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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