Trade-Up Tuesday: Whole Grain Mac & Cheese
Readers of my old blog, Nutrition By the Numbers, may remember my Mac & Cheese post. I was in a Price Chopper store, where they have NuVal scores on the shelf, and I had a serious revelation. I discovered that the “Character” Macaroni & Cheese (e.g., SpongeBob, Spider-Man, Pokemon) that I was throwing into my shopping cart every week so as to quiet the whining of my children, was indeed, a low-scoring product. Lower than low. I mean, I didn’t expect it to be high, but seeing those 4′s and 5′s on the shelf tag was eye-opening.
Kraft SpongeBob SquarePants Macaroni and Cheese: 4
Kraft Spiderman Macaroni and Cheese: 5
Kraft ScoobyDoo Macaroni and Cheese: 5
Some people might think that Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese would score better than Kraft. Wrong! The regular Annie’s scores the same as Kraft.
Annie’s HomeGrown Cheddar Cheese Regular Macaroni and Cheese: 5
Annie’s HomeGrown White Cheddar Shell Macaroni and Cheese: 5
So, I stopped buying it. I flat out told my kids that it wasn’t a good choice. They are used to this kind of talk. Mommy works for a nutritional scoring system after all. So, we just stopped buying it and they stopped eating it.
Now, the Kraft Whole Grain Macaroni and Cheese scores better. It gets an 18. No, it’s not stellar, but it’s better. So, yes, the kids are still in the aisle clamoring for Macaroni and Cheese PLEEEAAASE. However, now they say, “Mom, can we get the Healthy Macaroni and Cheese PLEEEAAASE???” I’m so proud! 
We don’t eat it too often, but certainly at this crazy-busy time of the year, it will make the dinner menu.
I know there are probably readers out there wondering why I’m waxing on about a product that scores an 18. After all, my previous Trade-Up Tuesday Posts have featured such NuVal Rock Stars as Barilla Plus Pasta and Shredded Wheat. Well, I’m talking about it because even though this increase was only 14 points on the NuVal scale, it was a big step for my kids. Marketing to children is huge in the grocery store. Somehow, I managed to get them to give up their favorite characters (who are all at eye level, by the way) and switch to a plain old boring box of macaroni and cheese. That is worth blogging about.
Today’s GiveAway
One lucky reader will win my Whole Grain Macaroni & Cheese GiveAway, including:
- 4 boxes of Kraft Whole Grain Macaroni and Cheese
- An aluminum NuVal water bottle.
To enter, leave a comment, telling me a trade-up you’ve made since learning about NuVal. If you’re just learning about NuVal and haven’t made a trade-up yet, check out www.nuval.com to get some ideas. One winner will be chosen at random.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm Eastern Time Tuesday December 1st! Good Luck!
Posted by: Melissa 77 comments
Posted in: Macaroni and Cheese
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 8:25 am
Didn’t really eat cereal before, but now Oatmeal!
Enjoy!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 8:29 am
I have switched my regular pasta for whole wheat pasta–i think it tastes even better!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:26 am
My biggest trade up has been from my sugary cereal to steel cut oats…it warms me up and tastes great, especially with frozen berries mixed in!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:46 am
Now I want to make my husband trade up to the whole grain maccaroni and cheese!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:21 am
I was perusing the tortillas and checking out the scores at HyVee the other day, and was surprised to find that the mini white corn tortillas scored in the 90s where the multi-grain ones were only in the upper 20s. I bought both, but haven’t tried them yet (you know…too much other stuff to eat this week), but I look forward to giving them a try!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:23 am
I traded Kashi Strawberry Fields for oat bran!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:31 am
Unfortunately my hubs loves mac and cheese from the box:( Thanks for this post. I try to make him homemade with whole wheat pasta when I can:) We added in barley this week. I made a barley mushroom soup that was very tasty!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:40 am
I traded Cheez-Its for All-Bran crackers! And as an added bonus, they taste better and don’t leave my fingers with an orange-y residue!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:43 am
I went from my regular pasta to Barilla Plus Multi-Grain Pasta thanks to NuVal. I can’t really tell the difference in taste, but I know it is better for my family.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:46 am
does this post count as my tradeup?? *sigh. I’ve been buy Annie’s thinking it was sooo much better, but I think I’ll just stop too. My husband has been nagging me to buy what it takes to make a homemade version, so I guess that’s the new switch!!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:54 am
Looks like I’ll be trading up my Cheerios & Honey Bunches Of Oats to some Shredded Wheat!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:04 am
My husband of 20 years has never been a big breakfast eater and has always stood in the kitchen before heading to work and taken out the box of Cheerios and eaten a few handfuls. He prided himself on the healthiness of his choice, being lowfat and low sugar…. then came Nuval!! He was shocked to learn that his precious Cheerios only scored a 31!!! He asked, “What cereal scores higher? Please buy me something better!” I am happy to say he has switched to a few morning mouthfuls of Post Shredded Wheat n’ Bran with a whopping score of 91 and is loving it!!!
THANK YOU NUVAL!!!!!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:04 am
I recently discovered NuVal and would like to tell you how helpful it is, especially with little kids, I’ve made the switch from Sunny D (which apparently isn’t even juice!) to Trop50!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:06 am
I had no idea that Annie’s was just as bad as the regular Kraft!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:20 am
Anne, For the record, the whole grain version of Annie’s Mac & Cheese scores just 3 points higher than the Kraft.
Annie’s HomeGrown Whole Wheat Shell Macaroni and Cheese: 21
I think a lot of people would think that Annie’s would be MUCH higher than Kraft. Nope, just 3 points higher.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am
What a neat system. It gave me a lot of ideas about better breads and crackers to eat.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:30 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MelisaNutrition: Don’t miss the Give-Away on A Better Bag of Groceries Today! http://tinyurl.com/yfbpdut...
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:35 am
I have traded up from white bread products to whole grain bread products!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:35 am
We’ve stopped being super cheap with white bread and are now buying whole wheat bread with fiber.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:44 am
Barilla plus pasta. I told my husband about this product and how it is good for you but tastes good too. Next time I’m at the grocery store I’m going to pick up a box so we both can try it.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:55 am
I’ve started using whole wheat pasta instead of white, even though my hubby won’t eat it. But it’s not too hard to just cook two pots of spaghetti! My husband LIVES off Kraft Mac & Cheese spirals. Maybe I could get him to trade up if he tried the whole grain kind?
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 12:24 pm
This giveaway is a great one, I thought Annie’s would have been way higher! My trade up is definitely Whole Grain Kraft Mac n Cheese in place of Annie’s..
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I traded Diet Mt. Dew (crack for college students) for a Breast Cancer Awareness bottle of water! I carry that bottle of water all over but would love a Sigg (mine is not BPA free) to help me kick the soda habit!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I have traded up from all diet soda to more water!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I told my husband that the only cookies we can buy are the Kashi kind—thanks to NuVal! The mac and hceese would be great…we both revert to kraft mac and cheese when we’re hungry and in a hurry…or feeling lazy!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I swapped my bread this past week. All wheat breads are NOT created equal and I had no idea until now!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I have swapped flour toritllas for the whole wheat ones. So much better!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Just today I bought brown rice sushi instead of white
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I think I’m too late, but I just wanted to say that I can’t wait to find and try that whole wheat mac! 18 is a lot better than 3!!
I have switched from low-fat ice cream after finding out it’s scored lower than the regular stuff!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Trading anything “white” for “brown” (i.e. white bread for whole grain breads, saltines for multigrain crackers, etc.)
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:07 pm
My trade up is easily Barilla Plus pasta. Now I don’t feel guilty when I want to have pasta for dinner.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I’ve traded cereal for oatmeal!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I traded up from white bread to whole wheat tortillas- and they are good!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I’ve definitely changed up my breakfast habits and have incorporated much more oatmeal and Greek yogurt instead of cereal!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I definitely make it a note to include more healthy fats in my diet – I already eat a lot of nut butters, but in addition, I love avocado on my sandwiches!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
i love eating whole natural foods~
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
100% whole wheat bread. So many tasty varieties out there.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I just discovered NuVal but the whole wheat mac and cheese sounds like a great option!!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I just recently learned about Nuval from Tina at Carrots-n-Cake. I love to see the high scores on fresh produce! It makes it taste even better!!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I talked to Tina about this a few weeks ago via twitter, WHILE IN PRICECHOPPER, because i was shocked at the nuval scores for peanut butter. the peanut butter i usually got was so so low, and so i traded up for Teddys (which Tina recommended, anyway).
I also have been spending some time debating pasta and jar sauce just about EVERYTIME i’m at pricechopper. I always keep a jar of sauce handy for quick meals, and ive been trading up for the highest score i can find recently.
nuval is quickly becoming one of my FAVORITE things about Pricechopper (along with the gas promotion
) I would even dare to say that NuVal is keeping me at Price Chopper, rather than Hannaford.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I traded up to Kashi Go Lean from teh Strawberry Fields kind. I thought just b/c it was Kashi it was automatically healthy!! But thh Go Lean is much higher and still yummy.
I may be 24, but i LOOOOVe Kraft mac and cheese as much as your kids, so I love this give away!!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
whole wheat pasta as opposed to regular pasta
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Switching pasta for WW pasta or spelt pasta!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I traded regular cereal for Steel Cut oats.
love it!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
My trade up has been brown rice instead of white rice. I “traded up” other grains (bread, pasta, etc.) a long time ago, but for some reason it took me a while to switch my rice. Now I’m glad I have
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Consider me entered. I hadn’t heard about NuVal but with a quick glance at the site it looks like it would be pretty helpful.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I have traded instant oatmeal for organic rolled oats!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I have traded sugary cereal for fiberone!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I’ve switched from sugary cereals to mini wheats! (unfrosted!)
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I have switched from White to 100% whole wheat.No more White Flour ever again.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Traded up from granola to oatmeal!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
This is my first visit to your site, from carrotsncake!
So,I guess my first trade up would be the whole grain mac-n-cheese.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I have switched to whole grain pasta- I like the extra chewiness!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I haven’t completely eliminated granola from my eats, but trying to incorporate more oatmeal as a healthier alternative.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I always buy whole wheat pasta. Mac & cheese sounds delicious!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I plan to switch from the light 40 calorie bread to the arnold natural flax and fiber bread. I am hoping it will also be more filling as opposed to the light bread which is like air.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I switched to whole wheat bread.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
White to whole-wheat pasta. I love it!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Regular Special K to Oatmeal!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:40 pm
My husband and I switched to 100% whole wheat bread. I like the taste better than white bread, and knowing that it is better for us is just icing on the cake!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Thanks to NuVal I’ve traded up my cereal!
Don’t get me wrong I love my stove cooked oatmeal in the mornings, but If I need a change for cold cereal Its great to know what are healthier options!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
i traded up my cereal – just bought some shredded wheat!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I’ve traded up the tortilla chips – I now buy Garden of Eatin’ No Salt Blue Tortilla chips and the family loves them!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I switched to whole wheat pasta and I love it!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I may have missed the deadline (time difference), but I thought I’d comment anyway! Next trip to the store, I am definitely trading up my kids’ cereal. Also…I really wish they did this in CA. I would shop at store soley because they had this info on products!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I traded cereal for oatmeal
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I traded up from Kashi GoLean Crunch to Special K with Protein! It’s cheaper, and I get more bang for my buck!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I was saddened to know that my Lance PB crackers are rated super low. I think they may be been about a 3
I haven’t swapped them out for anything else, but I have stopped purchasing them.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I’ve traded up my cereal and am really enjoying my shredded wheat.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
whole wheat pasta instead of white! mmm fiber!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I eat kashi go lean instead of other cereal now!
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I only recently began to really understand NuVal, but I think one of the first trade-ups I’m going to make is to the Barilla Plus. I’ve been using about half and half white pasta and whole wheat pasta for quite a while now, but I think it’s time to make the switch permanently.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I traded cereals I thought were healthy (special k, smart start) for granolas and oatmeal!
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 am
I started eating whole wheat bread and pasta.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 am
I traded wonder white bread for pepperidge farm whole grain bread.
-Courtney
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 am
I have ‘traded up’ the standard pasta for whole wheat versions on Italian night.
on Nov 6th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Like the guy above said it is correct