Lean Cuisine
Is Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pasta In A Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Sauce Protein Kick healthy?
Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pasta In A Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Sauce Protein Kick
Longevity Score
68/100
Food Integrity Score
69/100
Limit When Possible
Mixed or weaker nutrition and ingredient signals suggest looking for better options when you can.
Quick answer
Limit When Possible
Lean Cuisine vermont white cheddar mac & cheese pasta in a vermont white cheddar cheese sauce protein kick is rated limit when possible overall, with a Longevity Score of 68 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 69 out of 100. Simple ingredients with decent protein, but refined pasta, cheese-based sauce, and sodium limit its alignment with whole-food eating. Strengths include good protein for a single serving, short, recognizable ingredient list, and real cheese, no artificial colors listed, while main considerations include refined semolina pasta with very low fiber, sodium near 800 mg per serving, and cheese-heavy build with saturated fat.
Longevity Score 68/100Food Integrity Score 69/100
What helped the score?
- Good protein for a single serving
- Short, recognizable ingredient list
- Real cheese, no artificial colors listed
What held the score back?
- Refined semolina pasta with very low fiber
- Sodium near 800 mg per serving
- Cheese-heavy build with saturated fat
Ingredients
Ingredient list
COOKED PASTA (WATER, SEMOLINA WHEAT FLOUR, WHEAT GLUTEN), SKIM MILK, REDUCED FAT VERMONT CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED LOW FAT MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, VITAMIN A PALMITATE), WATER, VERMONT WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), 2% OR LESS OF RICE STARCH, SALT, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), SPICE.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 226 g (1 Package)
- Calories28014% DV
- Protein18g36% DV
- Total Carbs35g13% DV
- Fiber0.9g3% DV
- Total Fat7g9% DV
- Saturated Fat4.5g23% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pasta In A Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Sauce Protein Kick
- Brand
- Lean Cuisine
- Category
- Prepared Meals (source: Frozen Dinners & Entrees)
- GTIN / UPC
00013800366047- Serving size
- 226 g (1 Package)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher net carbs (34.1g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher saturated fat (4.5g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
GLP-1 Eating Support
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Higher protein (18g)
Appetite & Portion Awareness
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Helpful protein (18g)
Athletic Fueling
SupportiveAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Available carbohydrates (35g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Workout Recovery
SupportiveAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Recovery protein (18g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Strength & Protein Focus
SupportiveAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: High protein (18g)
Vegan
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "milk", "butter", "cream". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "milk", "butter", "cream". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher net carbs (34.1g)
Keto-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Net carbs above typical keto snack range (34.1g)
Low Gluten Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "gluten", "semolina". See ingredients for details.)
Minimally Processed Eating
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A supportive signal: Whole-food signals (skim milk, real cheddar cheese)
Whole-Food Focused Eating
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A supportive signal: Whole-food signals (skim milk, real cheddar cheese)
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A supportive signal: Whole-food signals (skim milk, real cheddar cheese)
Mediterranean-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher sodium (800mg)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "flour". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Healthy Fat Focus
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "butter", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
NeutralMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Vegetarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Pescatarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pasta In A Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Sauce Protein Kick highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Lightly processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?
Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pasta In A Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Sauce Protein Kick shows about 0.9g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Lean Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Pasta In A Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Sauce Protein Kick: 4g total sugar per serving. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Good protein for a single serving; Short, recognizable ingredient list; Real cheese, no artificial colors listed.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Refined semolina pasta with very low fiber; Sodium near 800 mg per serving; Cheese-heavy build with saturated fat.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same prepared meals differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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