Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?
Posted
Oct 15 2008, 03:52 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
A Canadian study prompted "Fabulously Broke" to ask her readers what they think about Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, known as Kraft Mac & Cheese to some and Kraft Dinner or simply "KD" to others. Is it comfort food or a poor person's meal?
Some readers said they associate it with less affluent times in their lives. "I grew up in a poor rural family and it was a staple along with hot dogs, Spam, hamburger disguised a hundred different ways, as well as potatoes a hundred different ways," one anonymous reader wrote.
Many others said they still love it, even though, some commented, it's not the most nutritious meal around. "Loved it as a kid; haven't had it in ages mostly because the bright orange/yellow fake cheese thing is a big turnoff," reader Joanna said.
Some added that there are cheaper things to eat that are better for you, like rice, or pasta with grated cheese.
The study, as reported by CBC News, found that people who have no trouble affording groceries think Kraft Dinner is a good food bank donation because it's convenient and kids like it. However, those potentially on the receiving end have a different view. People struggling to buy food consider it a meal of last resort, the study said. Plus, you need milk to make it, and that's expensive.
"For many of us, Kraft Dinner is a comfort food, but what we heard very clearly from low-income Canadians is that Kraft Dinner is not comforting when you cannot always afford basics like milk and butter," Melanie Rock, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary, told CBC News. She suggested that people donate cash instead so food banks can buy healthy food for clients.
Fabulously Broke, who blogs at Fabulously Broke in the City, said she's only had it once, and didn't like it. "I am really lucky to never have had the choice to only eat Kraft Dinner or starve," she said.
Dolly Iris was inspired to do her own post on the subject. She grew up in a low-income home where KD appeared on the table pretty often. Later on, when she was really poor, she considered it a treat. But she wouldn't give it to a food bank.
She said: "Nobody enjoys going to a food bank. You have to give out some personal info, stand in lines and it's not that comfortable. If you are able to give, think about what you would like to receive."
