Bushra Griffith
Kraft's Velveeta Shells & Cheese is a convenient and tasty snack for many. However, it has been the subject of controversy due to its nutritional content and use of additives and preservatives. Despite being marketed as a cheese product, it is not legally recognised as cheese and contains a high number of ingredients, including preservatives, that enable it to remain unrefrigerated on shelves. With concerns about its high lactose, fat, and sodium content, as well as its artificial nature, the question arises: Is Velveeta Shells & Cheese bad for your health?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional value | High in fat and calories, low nutritional value |
| Ingredients | Milk, water, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, whey protein concentrate, sodium phosphate, calcium phosphate, lactic acid, sorbic acid, sodium citrate, sodium alginate, enzymes, apocarotenal, annatto, cheese culture |
| Additives | Salt, preservatives, colour |
| Lactose content | High lactose content (9.3%) |
| Sodium content | 410mg of sodium per ounce |
| Allergens | Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans |
| Taste | Bland, artificial, sweet, creamy, unpleasant aftertaste |
| Texture | Rubbery |
| Health rating | Category 'F' (very harmful, no benefits) |
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$8.92 $9.99
What You'll Learn
Velveeta is not real cheese
While Velveeta may look, smell, and taste like cheese, it is not legally recognised as cheese. Instead, it is a "pasteurized prepared cheese product" or a "pasteurized process cheese product".
Velveeta was invented in 1918 by Emil Frey, an employee at the Monroe Cheese Factory. He created it as a way to conserve the runoff waste of their imperfect cheese wheels. The name Velveeta is meant to convey its velvety meltability. It has a mild taste and a bright orange hue.
Velveeta's ingredients include milk, canola oil, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, whey protein concentrate, sodium phosphate, and 2% or less of salt, calcium phosphate, lactic acid, sorbic acid, sodium citrate, sodium alginate, enzymes, apocarotenal, annatto, and cheese culture. These ingredients do not fall within the legal definition of "cheese" according to government agencies.
Velveeta is a highly processed food product, and its consumption should be limited as part of a healthy diet. It is high in sodium and contains unhealthy artificial trans fats. It also has a higher lactose content than real cheese, averaging at 9.3%.
In summary, while Velveeta may resemble cheese in many ways, it is not legally recognised as cheese due to its processed nature and the presence of ingredients that do not fit the legal definition of "cheese".
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It is high in fat and calories
Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a processed cheese product that is high in fat and calories. While it does provide some calcium, CLA, and Vitamin A, the health risks associated with its consumption may outweigh these benefits.
The product contains a high amount of sodium, with 410mg of sodium per ounce, which is a significant proportion of the daily recommended intake of 2300mg. This high sodium content can pose a risk to individuals with high blood pressure or kidney disease. In addition to its high sodium content, Velveeta also has a high lactose content, averaging 9.3% lactose, which is higher than that found in natural cheeses. This high lactose content can cause significant gastrointestinal issues for individuals with lactose sensitivity, including abdominal pain, distention, flatulence, and diarrhea.
Furthermore, Velveeta is not a natural cheese product. It is a concoction of preservatives and chemical additives, including sodium phosphate, sodium citrate, and sodium alginate, that allow it to have a long shelf life without refrigeration. These additives contribute to the high salt content of the product. Velveeta also contains milk and whey in the forms of milk fat, milk protein concentrate, and whey protein concentrate, which may come from cows raised in factory farms and injected with hormones, steroids, and antibiotics.
The high-fat and high-calorie content of Velveeta Shells and Cheese, coupled with its low nutritional value and the potential health risks associated with its consumption, make it a less healthy food choice. While it may be convenient and tasty for some, it is important to be aware of the potential negative impacts on health and consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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It has little nutritional value
Kraft's Velveeta Shells & Cheese is a convenient and tasty snack for many, but it has little nutritional value. The product is labelled as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product" by the FDA, and it is high in fat and calories.
Velveeta is not a natural cheese, and it is made with preservatives and chemical additives, allowing it to be stored without refrigeration. It has a high lactose content, which is unusual for a cheese product, and this can cause gastrointestinal issues for those with sensitivities.
The product contains numerous ingredients, including milk, water, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, whey protein concentrate, and various salts and acids. These ingredients contribute to its high sodium content, with one ounce containing 410mg of sodium—a significant proportion of the daily recommended intake of 2300mg.
While Velveeta does provide some calcium, CLA, and Vitamin A, these benefits are outweighed by the risks associated with its high sodium and lactose content.
Overall, while Velveeta Shells & Cheese may be a convenient and tasty snack, it has little nutritional value and may even be harmful to those with certain health conditions or sensitivities.
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It has a high lactose content
Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a processed cheese product with a high lactose content. Lactose is a sugar found in milk, and the lactose content in Velveeta is higher than that of natural cheeses. This is because natural cheeses undergo a process where bacteria consume the lactose during the cheese-making process, resulting in lower lactose levels in the final product.
Velveeta, on the other hand, contains added milk and whey in the form of milk fat, milk protein concentrate, and whey protein. These additional milk and milk by-products contribute to its high lactose content. The high lactose content in Velveeta may cause digestive issues for individuals with lactose intolerance or sensitivity. Symptoms of lactose intolerance can include abdominal pain, distention, flatulence, and diarrhea.
The concern regarding the source of milk and whey products used in Velveeta is also noteworthy. It is likely that these ingredients originate from cows raised in factory farms, where the animals are routinely injected with hormones, steroids, and antibiotics. This raises questions about the quality and ethical implications of the dairy sources used in Velveeta.
Furthermore, the processing and additives in Velveeta contribute to its high lactose content. The product contains preservatives and chemical additives, including sodium phosphate, to ensure shelf stability without refrigeration. While providing some calcium, CLA, and Vitamin A, the overall nutritional value of Velveeta is low, and the health risks associated with its high lactose content and additives may outweigh these minimal benefits.
In conclusion, the high lactose content in Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a significant concern, particularly for individuals with lactose sensitivity or intolerance. The product's reliance on milk and milk by-products, as well as its processing and additives, contribute to its elevated lactose levels. As a result, consumers may experience digestive issues and should be aware of the potential health implications associated with the high lactose content in Velveeta.
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It contains preservatives and additives
Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a processed food product that contains preservatives and additives. While it does provide some calcium, CLA, and Vitamin A, the risks associated with consuming this product may outweigh the health benefits.
One of the main concerns with Velveeta is the high number of ingredients it contains. Natural cheeses typically have around three ingredients, while Velveeta has 17. These ingredients include preservatives such as sodium phosphate and sorbic acid, as well as additives like sodium citrate, sodium alginate, and enzymes. These additives contribute to the high salt content of Velveeta, with one ounce containing 410mg of sodium. A high sodium intake can be risky for individuals with high blood pressure or kidney disease.
The milk and milk by-products in Velveeta also make it high in lactose, which can cause gastrointestinal issues for sensitive individuals. The product may also contain milk from cows raised in factory farms, where the animals are injected with hormones, steroids, and antibiotics.
The artificial nature of Velveeta has led to criticism of its taste, with some describing it as "rubbery, bland, and tastelessly artificial". It has also been noted that Velveeta lacks the sharpness, tang, and depth of flavor found in real cheese. Despite this, Velveeta has gained popularity over the years, especially for making queso.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Velveeta Shells and Cheese is considered bad for health due to its high fat, calorie, and sodium content. It also contains artificial trans fats, preservatives, and chemical additives, and is high in lactose, which can cause gastrointestinal issues for sensitive individuals.
The ingredients in Velveeta Shells and Cheese include enriched macaroni (wheat flour, glycerol monostearate, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrite, riboflavin, folic acid), cheese sauce (whey, canola oil, cheddar cheese, whey protein concentrate, milk, milk protein concentrate, sodium phosphate), modified food starch, maltodextrin, acetylated monoglycerides, and salt.
Velveeta Shells and Cheese has a unique texture and taste due to its high lactose content, artificial additives, and preservatives. It is not considered real cheese and is officially labeled as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product."
