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A serving portion of Mac and Cheese has roughly 40gr of carbs, 10gr of protein. A portion of beef/chicken is 20-30gr of protein. Looks like a source of carbs (e

A serving portion of Mac and Cheese has roughly 40gr of carbs, 10gr of protein. A portion of beef/chicken is 20-30gr of protein. Looks like a source of carbs (energy) more like a protein source to me. Maybe when you add the price, the equation change.( I mean the price per protein gr.)

maxerickson 8y ago
If you are shopping on price, the carbs in the macaroni are a feature. Chicken is a good source of protein but doesn't really deliver the calories per dollar. It's something like 250 calories/dollar at Walmart prices vs 1600 calories/dollar for pasta (varies sharply based on price of pasta, but it is $1 a pound regularly enough).
- seanmcdirmid 8y ago
  Carbs are always cheaper than protein though. Mac and cheese isn’t really a serious protein source, so you’ll still need to add something to make it work.
- JackCh 8y ago
  > "Chicken is a good source of protein but doesn't really deliver the calories per dollar." Throw in some breading and ketchup and you'll give yourself diabetes lickety-split.
  - maxerickson 8y ago
    Breaded macaroni and cheese sounds bad with or without ketchup. I suspect the diabetes is more related to excess calories and sedentary lifestyles than it is due to macro diet composition. Of course diet composition has an impact on achieving those excess calories, but that's an indirect effect.
    - JackCh 8y ago
      I'm referring to the practice of eating breaded chicken ("nuggets" and/or "fingers"/"tenders") with copious amounts of ketchup. I think a lot of people have a blindspot to the nutrition of condiments, they view it as something neutral like a little bit of black pepper. Or in the specific case of ketchup, they think it counts as a vegetable. But the truth is ketchup is basically just a bunch of sugar. For the same volume it has something like half the calories of maple syrup. You wouldn't scarf down half a cup of maple syrup with your dinner, but I've seen people practically drink the equivalent in ketchup. I doubt it's healthy no matter how active you are.
      - samatman 8y ago
        Satay sauce is still tasty with all or nearly-all the jaggery left out, and mayo, while high in fat (and cheap veggie oil fat, at that), is low carb. ^ For those who are looking for an alternative to a lake of ketchup to go with their tendies

maxerickson 8y ago

If you are shopping on price, the carbs in the macaroni are a feature. Chicken is a good source of protein but doesn't really deliver the calories per dollar. It's something like 250 calories/dollar at Walmart prices vs 1600 calories/dollar for pasta (varies sharply based on price of pasta, but it is $1 a pound regularly enough).

seanmcdirmid 8y ago
Carbs are always cheaper than protein though. Mac and cheese isn’t really a serious protein source, so you’ll still need to add something to make it work.
JackCh 8y ago
> "Chicken is a good source of protein but doesn't really deliver the calories per dollar." Throw in some breading and ketchup and you'll give yourself diabetes lickety-split.
- maxerickson 8y ago
  Breaded macaroni and cheese sounds bad with or without ketchup. I suspect the diabetes is more related to excess calories and sedentary lifestyles than it is due to macro diet composition. Of course diet composition has an impact on achieving those excess calories, but that's an indirect effect.
  - JackCh 8y ago
    I'm referring to the practice of eating breaded chicken ("nuggets" and/or "fingers"/"tenders") with copious amounts of ketchup. I think a lot of people have a blindspot to the nutrition of condiments, they view it as something neutral like a little bit of black pepper. Or in the specific case of ketchup, they think it counts as a vegetable. But the truth is ketchup is basically just a bunch of sugar. For the same volume it has something like half the calories of maple syrup. You wouldn't scarf down half a cup of maple syrup with your dinner, but I've seen people practically drink the equivalent in ketchup. I doubt it's healthy no matter how active you are.
    - samatman 8y ago
      Satay sauce is still tasty with all or nearly-all the jaggery left out, and mayo, while high in fat (and cheap veggie oil fat, at that), is low carb. ^ For those who are looking for an alternative to a lake of ketchup to go with their tendies