Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I'm asking this only because I really am curious, and I've seen it mentioned before in other food related threads.

I see alot of moms saying they never give their kids mac and cheese. And while I'm very aware of what goes in my kids mouth and 98% of the time she is eating healthy well balanced meals. I wonder what exactly is so UN-nutrious about mac and cheese?

As a kid, at LEAST once or twice a week, we got fish sticks and mac and cheese for dinner or lunch.

I get the whole "boxed" thing... too many preservatives and other stuff. Sure, on occassion in a pinch DD gets the boxed stuff. But more often than not if I make mac and cheese, I actually make it. Doesn't take any longer than making the boxed stuff and I know what going in it.

PLEASE, no drama this is NOT what this question is intended for. I'm just geniounly curious as to WHY alot of moms will not give their kids mac and cheese and what is SO bad about it.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I think for me...the cheese isnt' real cheese. that's my problem with it. If home made..no problem at all. It's the powdered cheese that is just to me.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I think if you make it yourself there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. I make it myself and DS loves it. I don't make it alot because it often gives him the runs.

I think when people are anti mac and cheese it's the boxed stuff they're referring to, not homemade. Just like a lot of pre-prepared boxed stuff, it's just full of so many preservatives that it's just healthier (and usually tastier) to make it yourself. When I make it I know it's just pasta, cheese and milk, a little butter, and whatever other fun things I decide to add (breadcrumbs, veggies, etc).

For the record, there were tons of things I was given back when I was a kid and yes, sure I'm fine now. But there's alot of things people thought were healthy enough then and actually now have discovered they're not so much so they're frowned upon. So I never like to use the argument that "I had it when I was a kids and I was fine", or "my mom smoked and I was fine", or "my car seat was in the front and I'm fine", etc. Because while you may luckily be fine there are alot of kids who weren't, hence why they're discouraged now.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I think most things in moderation are fine. My kids have eaten boxed mac & cheese with the powdered grit. They like it. It tastes good to them.

I think if it becomes a diet STAPLE - that's where there is an issue. People sometimes don't remember that a little persons caloric and nutritional needs are a lot different than those for an adult. Packages give data based on a 2000 calorie a day diet. So 1 serving of Mac & Cheese is probably around a full days worth of carbs, fat and sodium for a child.. but without a whole lot of vitamin, mineral or other nutritional value. So once it a while it's fine.. but on a regular basis you probably want to be feeding your children nutritionally dense foods that offer a lot more power per serving.

Again - I love mac & cheese and so do my littles. I see nothing wrong with giving it to them once in a while. I think it's perfectly reasonable.. provided that better foods aren't forgotten in the quest for convenience and ease.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

boxed mac n cheese mom here! DD has it about once every 10 days, and I have no issue with this at all

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Posted by Linda1003

I think for me...the cheese isnt' real cheese. that's my problem with it. If home made..no problem at all. It's the powdered cheese that is just to me.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I give my DD boxed mac n cheese sometimes........either Kraft or Annie's Organic but I also make a totally kick a$$ homemade mac n cheese that EVERYONE loves and my DD can't get enough of. I don't mind using the boxed stuff in a pinch. I can't always make her homemade food depending on the day so I don't sweat if she has the boxed stuff once in a while.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I only really think it's an issue if that's the only thing they eat.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I understand the moderation thing...my kid eats junk food... in moderation. Meaning hardly ever, but she does especially when we are going through very difficult eating patterns, I'm inclined to let her eat what she wants if that means her at least eating something. We are in such a phase right now.

My question was to the moms that say they NEVER and would never give their kids mac and cheese. I was wondering why and what is so un-nutrious about it. As I said in my original post, I have seen numerous times moms saying they would never give their kid(s) mac and cheese.

As far as the comment about "when I was younger..." Food does not comapre with the dangers of smoking and/or having the carseats facing forward or in the front. That was and still will always be dangerous.

Message edited 11/10/2010 12:06:57 PM.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

they have to be talking about the boxed stuff.

I dont' give it b/c it's not in my home. I never buy it. I am too cheap.

but I always have cheese in my house b/c I use it on everything, so it's cheaper for me (and yes healthier) to use "real" cheese. and it's just as fast to melt some cubes of cheddar in a steaming bowl of pasta. for me.

I know people think I have some sort of issue with mac and cheese and I do not. I grew up eating Kraft and it's just one of those things...it just tastes GOOD. I even craved it and ate it while I was pregnant once (although I will confess that it didn't taste as good as I remembered it).

I do think veggies should be incorporated in every meal, and if cheese covered is the only way they'll eat it, rock on. cover that veggie in cheese.

I look at the totality of the day when it comes to nutrition more than any one meal.

ETA: I do believe that they are putting stuff into foods now that they didn't way back when and that is another reason I avoid the same things I ate as a child. it is clear that these big companies don't give a fig about when they feed us. I do not trust that they are telling the full story on those ingredient list/nutrition facts.

also, for me, if I don't believe in the company. in what they are putting into their food...NO amount is low enough for me. I won't give it to him at all. I can't let it slide. it burns my chaps too much. what these bastards get away with.

Message edited 11/10/2010 12:18:03 PM.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I give it occasionally but honestly try to avoid it.

Mostly because I am afraid if I serve it often she will stop being the good eater she is and only want crap.

I dont want to be serving chicken fingers, hot dogs and mac & cheese as daily meals.

She loves it, but I keep it as my in case of emergency meal or at a restaurant.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I think most people will associate mac and cheese w/ the boxed powdered cheese -

I make it homemade -
and while it's not 'junk' - I will admit that it's full of whole milk and full fat cheese and carb ridden pasta !!! - I wouldn't call it 'health food' but it technically has all 'healthy' stuff

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I give both boxed and homemade. Sometimes the only way they will eat is if the noodles are character shaped and thats when they get boxed. Mac n cheese is one of the few things they eat, so we actually have it a few times a week - once for lunch, usually once or twice on the side of their dinner. I'm just happy they're eating SOMETHING, preservatives or not!

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Here's how I see it....

Although my mom cooked most of the time, I would say we had McDonalds at least every 2 weeks, had TV dinners, Kraft Mac and Cheese, etc. My mom was overweight when we were younger.

Then she got on health kick, had my sister (who is 13 years younger than me) and raised her on a different diet - just healthy choices.

My brother and I are both overweight. My sister is in perfect health. She naturally doesn't like butter, cream, basically anything that is bad for you because she was brought up like that. Don't get me wrong, she loves a big ole bowl of chocolate ice cream, but overall she makes healthy decisions, I think, because of healthy habits being introduced at a young age.

So I try to do this with DD. I also would like for her to stay away from processed foods and those high in preservatives because they are just so unhealthy!

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Posted by nicknmb

boxed mac n cheese mom here! DD has it about once every 10 days, and I have no issue with this at all

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I would give our kid mac and cheese if he liked it. He's probably the only kid who doesn't. Our son loves fruits and veggies. He WANTS to eat all the green stuff, even if it is a garnish when it is green.

Message edited 11/10/2010 12:35:27 PM.

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

Three Cheese Mac n Cheese

1 tbs. salt plus more for pasta water
1 lb. Barilla Pipettes
6 tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
6 tbs. all purpose flour
3 cups of cold whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb. New York Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
4 ounces American cheese, shredded
4 ounces Asiago cheese, shredded
1 tbs. black pepper
2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
parsley

1) Preheat the oven to 325.

2) Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until it's al dente. (Don't overcook it or you will have mushy mac n cheese.)

3) Melt the butter over a medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk to make a paste (or roux), about 2 min. Add the milk and whisk vigorously until smooth. Reduce heat to medium low and cool until the sauce is thick and bubbly. Add the heavy cream, all three cheeses, and 1 tbs. salt and 1 tbs. black pepper. Cook and stir frequently until all of the cheese is melted and the sauce is nice and smooth.

4) Add the macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a 9X13" baking dish and top with the panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle a little parsley over the top for garnish. Bake until the mac n cheese is hot and the top is slightly browned. (About 15-20 min.)

5) Let the mac n cheese sit about 10-15 min. so it sets a little before serving.

6) Enjoy!!.........it's outrageous!!!

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

DD is only 7 months, so I've never given it to her. Do I plan on it? No. Not if I can help it.
As a 1st generation american (via Italia) I never had mac & cheese until I was in high school. I really never had a lot of things that come in a box or can. My mom just doesn't cook like that. Snacks were fresh fruit. Drinks- water or juice. Veggies were fresh. I think it's healthier. I'm not judging and everyone has their own right to choose what they eat or give their child. I know some kids have eating issues and hey- a kids gotta eat- and sometimes you give them whatever they will eat. I get that.
I'll make homemade mac & cheese- but I make mine with Parmiganno Cheese..lol

Re: Sort of spin off to the kiddie menu post

I personally don't like the taste of boxed mac and cheese. DH does. I give DS easy mac every once and while for lunch if I don't have leftovers to give him.

He LOVES it. I pick my battles, because he is eating something.