During my childhood, my mother was a single parent for a time, and I can only imagine how challenging it was for her to balance work and raising me. Many evenings, we enjoyed TV dinners on our tray while watching our favorite shows. I was quite fond of those Swanson dinners, and my mom had perfected the art of cooking them. Overcooked, and the brownie would be charred; undercooked, and the mashed potatoes resembled a hard, angry block. I can’t say whether she was aware of the preservatives and sodium in those meals, but frankly, it didn’t bother me.
This week, I learned that Kraft plans to eliminate artificial preservatives and synthetic colors from their products by early 2024, meaning the signature bright orange hue will be gone. Trisha Monroe, Kraft’s marketing vice president, stated that “Consumers, especially parents, have expressed a desire to feel good about the foods they provide for their families.” With all due respect, Trisha, I disagree.
I enjoy my Mac and Cheese just as it is. I savor the vibrant orange goo that collects in the corners of my mouth while eating it. There’s a sense of satisfaction in finding just the right water-to-powder ratio that results in an explosion of flavor. Without that distinctive orange color, it simply wouldn’t be the same.
Moreover, I have no qualms about serving it to my kids. As a married mother of three, my husband and I both work full-time and have active lives outside of our jobs and family. Sure, I cook wholesome meals from scratch on many nights, but sometimes, opening a box of Mac and Cheese or a Totino’s Party Pizza is more than acceptable.
Are these the healthiest meals I could choose for my family? Not necessarily. Do they contain preservatives and fats? Yes. However, when I only have 34 minutes to prepare dinner before shuttling one child to hockey, another to soccer, and keeping the third entertained with Peppa Pig on the iPad, it’s the best option I have. Sure, I could have risen 30 minutes earlier to prepare a healthy meal, but sometimes, I need those moments for sleep or a little intimacy with my husband. Other times, I may be too exasperated with my kids to go the extra mile.
Many parents believe our duty is to shield our children from every harmful product. We should only offer organic fruits, vegetables, and grass-fed meats from ethically raised animals. While this sounds ideal, I don’t think an occasional serving of orange noodles will lead to long-term health issues any more than a Paleo child consuming a box of candy will suffer when their parent isn’t looking.
As a society, we might be overcorrecting. While it’s essential to be informed about our food, we should not feel guilty about enjoying a box of Oreos with our kids every now and then (especially if paired with organic almond milk).
To all the parents out there who resonate with this sentiment:
Leave our Mac and Cheese alone!
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In summary, while the trend towards healthier eating is commendable, it’s crucial to find a balance that works for our families. Sometimes, convenience food like Kraft Mac and Cheese provides not only nourishment but also a sense of joy and togetherness.