600 Calorie Mistake...Not gonna happen again!

Lexie28

So, I was craving Kraft Dinner today. I haven't had it in ages. I know it's not particularly good for you...but I wanted something cheesy. After I consumed half a box..(I only cook half a box)...I decided to put it into MFP. Only to discover it was 600 calories. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I went to the recycling box and took out the box to read it for myself. Yup...I had consumed 600 calories (half my calories for today). Never ever will I make that mistake again. I took the rest of the box and threw it out...no more Kraft Dinner for me...EVER!!!

fitwatch

You think that is bad, I once had two full boxes of the stuff. I must admit that it does taste good. Did not hold back on the butter and milk. I had to pay for that meal by fasting the next day.

blnorman29

I hate surprises like that! You think you're eating in moderation, but some foods are just not good for you, in any amount. At least now you know!

Missevanston

This is why MFP is so awesome! Ya live and learn!

sc1572

Mac and Cheese? SO EVIL. Sometimes I just get random cravings for stuff like Mac and Cheese or chips, and other things I rarely have. I treat myself, regret it, and vow to never do it again! If you did Kraft Mac and Cheese, did you do the light prep?

EDIT: If I feel like splurging, I look for other alternatives on www.skinnytaste.com

vampee

It is amazing how much calories and crap are in most foods.When I stared MFP I was shocked. Now I am always telling my BF that I don't want to waste my calories on crap.

wanetam

I have made that same mistake! The worst part is, after all this calories, I found I was still hungry shortly after. : (

bcattoes

I don't know what Kraft dinner is, but always read the label!! No matter what you think or how healthy it sounds, if it has a label read it.

kperez19

A Krispy Kreme chocolate glazed doughnut has about 100 calories less than a serving of Velveeta macaroni.

cherubcrnp

I was going to get a Buffalo Chicken salad a few days ago...until I looked at the calorie count....NO WAY!!!!! I will make my own grilled chicken and add the hot sauce and veggies....at least I know what is in the darn thing! God Bless Fast Food and Restuarant calorie counter apps

Pam aka Cherubcrnp

Lexie28

Mac and Cheese? SO EVIL. Sometimes I just get random cravings for stuff like Mac and Cheese or chips, and other things I rarely have. I treat myself, regret it, and vow to never do it again! If you did Kraft Mac and Cheese, did you do the light prep?

EDIT: If I feel like splurging, I look for other alternatives on www.skinnytaste.com

I never use milk and butter...so yes, I did the light prep. Just the mac and cheese with no extras

alyssamiller77

I know I'm like a broken record on this but I don't think it's a good idea to completely give up a food you enjoy. Look instead for ways to work it in better. Can you eat just a 1/4 of a box per meal? Can you have on a day where you do some extra exercise and have the room for some additional calories? Otherwise is there an alternative to kraft that you would enjoy just as much? If you have cravings for a food that you try to give up cold turkey, you're setting yourself up for binging,cheating and/or failure. Plus why deprive yourself. Eating a healthy diet can and should be enjoyable.

leomom72

that sucks, but sometimes we need it..thats why i always read labels on EVERYTHING..if i want it badly, i may eat it, or i may decide it's not worth it..depends on the day and mood..good luck

eorlvr79

I bet you could make a healthier version yourself so you wouldn't have to miss out when you crave it.

jujubean1992

i thought i was going to do this earlier. but i can't resist a good corn dog (horrible i know!) hubby went to good old wal-mart last night and comes home with a huge box of the good corn dogs... and three bags of chips... and ice cream... F my life.

vettle

Not all mac and cheese is evil - just kraft dinner! it's all the butter and fake cheese that is added into this. If you had a cup of regular macaroni and shred some sharp cheddar on it, add some milk, would be just fine.
but it's OK! donate all your kraft dinner to the grocery store donation bin.

it's like when I realized that a whole pack of ichiban (my weakness) is 500 calories

DebbieYost

Been there...done that! I have the habit of eating before I consider the consequences, and when I track...after the fact...I am shocked at how much those "didn't pay attention to the little extras" added up. When I've got 0 or minuses staring back
at me on the tracker even before dinner, it isn't exactly an ego booster. But I'm with you...Kraft Mac and Cheese is "so"
addicting. It's one of those "what leftovers?" kind of food.

You learned not to have a repeat performance and you got rid of the temptation...to me, that is a success!

belindablanks

Thanks so much for passing along skinnytaste.com. Great resource.

Seraph1120

Mac and Cheese? SO EVIL. Sometimes I just get random cravings for stuff like Mac and Cheese or chips, and other things I rarely have. I treat myself, regret it, and vow to never do it again! If you did Kraft Mac and Cheese, did you do the light prep?

EDIT: If I feel like splurging, I look for other alternatives on www.skinnytaste.com

So...I went to check out the link and have been on there for the past half hour! haha. Thanks for sharing!! =D

italianissima

Hi,
I do not like surprises like that, but I haven't had one in a long time. I always check the nutrition facts or use the app.

This idea is not just about the mac and cheese, but for everything. I always put in the food I'm going to eat into the app BEFORE I eat it. That way I know what I'm eating before I eat it. This has actually caused me to think twice about eating a full cup of rice, or 2 tortillas, or whatever it is.

As for the mac n cheese, if you don't want to make your own...
You can always add veggies in like broccoli. That way you will still get that taste you crave, but the bulk of it will be subbed for veggies!

Good luck!!

llbird

I was shocked how many calories are in moussaka (greek dish with beef, eggplant and potatoes). Comfort food but not when it comes with a 550 calorie price tag!

maria1993

I did that kind of thing.. I went to Sam's with two friends, really only planning to get a half and half tea.. I opted for a half unsweet half splenda tea, but I ordered a cinnamon pretzel.. I figured, hey, I haven't had any lunch and this can't be more than a few hundred calories.. Nope, it was 550!!

mandahq

I still eat KD half a box is 458 calories. I eat it as a full dinner meal. it has 888mg sodium. So i much sure I can afford that. But it mainly depends on what kind of KD and how you prepare it. I only use 1 tbsp imperial butter.

eviltwinkie

I've had some of those 'light' mac and cheese in a cup that were under 200 cals in the cupboard for such OMG I need mac and cheese occasions. Taste about as good, and I usually mix in some chopped veggies to bulk it up (and sometimes a low fat hebrew national hot dog, or part of a low fat chicken dog.)

Live and learn, but don't deprive. Find something that fits with the occasional need, but doesn't encourage overdoing it. But I do understand the draw of those boxes... they're so much cheaper. Maybe if you get them, open them and immediately parse out into single servings? Wonder how that would work out with prepping it. Hmm.

Sorry I can't remember the brand of the cups exactly (major one) - I was only finding them at target for awhile. Seems like most places assume you don't want a reduced fat mac and cheese.

I wish could get the reduced fat mac and cheese packets and pair it with my own pasta. That would be ideal.

maria1993

Oh... And just a thought, if you go to an orential market you can buy tapioca noodles.. 3 ounces unprepared is about 100 calories, after cooking them you could cut them into 1" long pieces.. It makes about 2 cups cooked. You can put cheese sauce or shredded cheese over it and save a ton of calories

carrie1128

Now you know! I do love that about MFP. I had Chinese takeout yesterday so you can imagine what my calories looked like yesterday (1300 on that one meal). It's better to know though. I think a lot of people stay in denial about it.

fas815

Plz i've done the same thing!!! I should take a lesson from my daughter( she introduced me to MFP) She puts all her food in before she eats it. Sometimes we all get cravings though. It's ok. Keep up the good work.

99clmsntgr

Since I didn't see it anywhere else in the thread, I'll point this out for you -- Kraft Easy Mac (the styrofoam, microwaveable containers) are 220 calories per container. It's not bad, I've had them as a lunch when I was all out of other stuff to bring to work. And it will help keep the craving in line.

ChantalGG

Next time try boiling some cauliflower in with it to add some bulk without the carbs and calories. i havnt tried this yet but i think it might be tasty. I luckily dont love the stuff. But my son and my SO do so i have to eat it but i usually only add a bit of milk to make it more creamy and skip the margarine.

brittanyjeanxo

Ugh, mac and cheese is so good. Before I would eat a whole box, and still be hungry. It's empty calories. I know how ya feel.

Jorra

I still make Kraft Mac&Cheese regularly without it messing up my day. I make the whole box of "The Cheesiest" with 2tbsp of real butter and a 1/4 cup of 1% milk. Then I only eat one serving which is 1/3 of the box (1 cup prepared). It's only 336 calories.

Most of the time I'll add other things for flavor like a little tomato soup, vegetables, or tuna.