Reply #10: It's the box that makes it crap, really

[M155Y_A1CH]

Perhaps The mac and cheese would be prepared from scratch with cheese as poster #6 does. That is what I assumed because you can't really make a meal out of the boxed one's. I think of the boxed as a carb side dish for 4 people + a vegetable side about the same size + a 4oz. cut of lean meat, fish or beans You don't want to eat too much of what my dad always called empty carbs. The starchy carbs don't contain very much protein, vitamins, or minerals per calorie for dietary needs unless they are enriched by processing. Macaroni is made with enriched durum wheat, I'm not sure about rice though. Rice does have more fiber.
:hi:

Sure hope the OP can keep eating healthily. I fear it may not be possible on limited means.