Is Kraft’s new protein mac-and-cheese healthier?

Kraft adds protein to its classic mac-and-cheese

Kraft has launched a new product line called PowerMac, aiming to capture consumers who want more protein without giving up comfort-food expectations.

The key change is nutritional: Kraft’s PowerMac mac and cheese is described as providing 17 grams of protein per serving, along with 6 grams of a stated protein-related component (as reported in the product announcement snippet). The product is positioned as part of a broader “protein chat,” reflecting how many mainstream brands are reformulating staples to meet demand for higher-protein options.

What matters for shoppers

For people trying to be healthier, the important takeaway is that more protein doesn’t automatically mean the overall nutrition profile is better. A separate analysis aimed at dietitians frames the issue as more nuanced: fortified and protein-forward products can improve one metric (protein quantity), but other factors—such as the balance of nutrients and ingredients—determine whether it meaningfully supports a healthier diet.

Practical implications

• If you’re adding PowerMac to boost protein, it can fit into a higher-protein routine.
• If your goal is overall nutrition (not only protein), you still need to look beyond the headline protein figure.

As brands compete in the protein space, products like PowerMac are likely to keep arriving, making label reading more important than ever for consumers who want benefits that go beyond marketing terms.