Macaroni cheese is a popular comfort food — warm and indulgent whether served as a main meal or side dish. But a simple tweak to this family favourite could help protect your heart health by lowering saturated fat intake. Dr Samantha Wild, a GP and clinical lead at Bupa Health UK, explained that traditional recipes and ready-made macaroni cheese meals “can be high in saturated fat and calories because they often use ingredients such as full-fat cheese, butter and whole milk”.
She added: “Having too much saturated fat over time can raise LDL cholesterol, which may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.” Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the body which is needed for key body functions. But if levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, fatty deposits can build up on the walls of arteries, causing them to narrow. This is known as atherosclerosis and can impede blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of dangerous blockages.
Dr Wild recommended making a key substitution to reduce saturated fat intake. She said: “A simple way to make macaroni cheese a little healthier is to swap in lower-fat dairy options, such as reduced-fat cheese and semi-skimmed or skimmed milk and use a little less butter.
“These small changes can help bring down the saturated fat content while still giving you important nutrients like calcium and protein, which support healthy bones and muscles.”
High LDL cholesterol is associated with around one in five cardiovascular disease deaths in the UK.
Around half of adults are thought to be living with levels above national guidelines for total cholesterol (greater than 5mmol/L), according to the British Heart Foundation.
It may not be traditional but adding vegetables such as broccoli, spinach or tomatoes to the dish can also boost its nutritional value, Dr Wild said.
She added: “This is an easy way to increase fibre, which supports digestive health, while also adding extra vitamins and minerals.
“Vegetables can help make the meal more filling too, which may support portion control and healthier weight management.
“Small changes like these can help you enjoy familiar meals in a way that better supports your heart health and overall wellbeing.
“It’s not about giving up the foods you enjoy, but finding realistic, sustainable ways to make them work better for you.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
