Frederic Melton
Cheddar and American cheese are both high in fat and calories, but which is healthier? Cheddar cheese is a natural, hard cheese with a sharper taste and crumbly texture, traditionally made from cow's milk. It is aged for at least two months and up to two years. On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese product, made from a blend of at least two cheeses, emulsifiers, and other ingredients. It has a milder, creamier flavour and a smooth texture. Cheddar is denser in nutrients and higher in protein, fat, and zinc, while American cheese contains more iron, calcium, and potassium. Cheddar is also significantly lower in sodium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | One slice of American cheese contains around 65 calories, while cheddar cheese has approximately 114 calories per slice. |
| Fat Content | Cheddar has a minimum of 50% fat content, while American cheese tends to have a higher fat content. |
| Processing | American cheese is a processed cheese product, while cheddar is made naturally. |
| Protein | Cheddar has about 6 grams of protein per slice, while American cheese has only 3 grams. |
| Sodium | Cheddar is significantly lower in sodium content. |
| Texture | American cheese has a smooth, creamy texture, while cheddar has a crumbly texture. |
| Melting | American cheese melts evenly, while cheddar has a low melting point. |
| Taste | Cheddar has a sharper taste, while American cheese has a mild, creamy flavor. |
| Ingredients | American cheese contains additional ingredients like emulsifiers and preservatives, while cheddar is made from 100% cow's milk. |
| Aging | Cheddar undergoes an aging process ranging from a few months to several years, while American cheese does not age in the same way. |
| Vitamins | American cheese contains higher levels of vitamin B12, vitamin E, and vitamin D. Cheddar is a source of vitamin K2 and is richer in zinc and selenium. |
| Minerals | American cheese contains more iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and choline. |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar has more protein
Cheddar cheese is a hard, natural cheese with a sharper taste and crumbly texture. It is made from cow's milk that has been matured for several months, and it can be white, off-white, or yellow. The earliest records of this cheese date back to the 12th century, and it is named after the town of Cheddar in England. Cheddar cheese is a good source of protein, containing about 6 grams of protein per slice, while American cheese has only 3 grams.
Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, making cheddar a more nutritious option. Cheddar undergoes an aging process that can range from a few months to several years, enhancing its flavour and texture. This natural cheese is made from 100% cow's milk, while American cheese is a processed cheese product made from a blend of milk, milk fats, and solids, with other fats and whey protein concentrates.
American cheese has a smooth, creamy texture and melts evenly, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, or dishes that use melted cheese. It is a relatively young cheese, with the first commercial processed cheese being produced in 1911, surprisingly not in the US but in Switzerland. American cheese contains additional ingredients like emulsifiers and preservatives, while cheddar is made from cow's milk with a more natural process.
Cheddar cheese is also denser in nutrients and has a lower melting point, making it a universal option for various keto diet recipes. It is richer in both protein and fats, providing 5g more protein per 100g serving compared to American cheese. While both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, cheddar provides more nutritional benefits per serving.
In summary, when comparing American cheese to cheddar cheese, cheddar has more protein and is the healthier option. It offers a better nutritional profile with natural ingredients and a range of beneficial nutrients, including essential protein for muscle repair and growth.
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American cheese is more processed
American cheese is a processed cheese product, made from a blend of at least two cheeses, commonly cheddar or Colby cheese, and other ingredients. It was first produced in 1911 in Switzerland, and later Kraft cheese was patented in 1916. The processed cheese is made by melting and emulsifying natural cheeses with salts, and then reforming and packaging them into slices. Other ingredients can include emulsifiers, preservatives, acidifying agents, water, salt, cream or milk products, artificial colouring, and spices or flavourings. The emulsifying agents are what give American cheese its characteristic meltability.
American cheese is highly processed, and this can have health implications. A study published in Advances in Nutrition found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, and inflammation associated with various chronic illnesses. American cheese also contains higher amounts of sodium and certain vitamins, like vitamin B12 and vitamin E, but it has a lower protein content than cheddar.
Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is made from 100% cow's milk and undergoes an aging process that can range from a few months to several years. This natural process enhances the flavour and texture of the cheese, giving it a sharper taste and crumbly texture. Cheddar is denser in nutrients and has a higher protein content, making it a healthier option. It is also a source of beneficial nutrients like calcium and vitamin K, which is important for heart and bone health.
While American cheese is more processed and has a higher sodium content, it does have some nutritional benefits. It contains more calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and choline than cheddar. However, the high level of processing means that American cheese is likely to contain more additives and potentially harmful ingredients.
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Cheddar has less sodium
Cheddar cheese is a hard, natural cheese with a sharper taste and crumbly texture. It is made from cow's milk that has been matured for several months. The earliest records of this cheese date back to the 12th century. Cheddar undergoes an ageing process that can range from a few months to several years, enhancing its flavour and texture.
American cheese, on the other hand, is a processed cheese product, often made with additional ingredients like emulsifiers and preservatives. It was developed in 1911 in Switzerland by heating shredded Swiss cheese with sodium citrate, an emulsifying agent. American cheese has a smooth, creamy texture and melts evenly, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, or dishes that use melted cheese.
When it comes to nutritional content, cheddar cheese offers a better profile with natural ingredients and a range of beneficial nutrients. It contains about 6 grams of protein per slice, while American cheese has only 3 grams. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, making cheddar a more protein-rich option. Cheddar is also a source of vitamin K2, which is important for heart and bone health.
One of the key differences between the two cheeses is their sodium content. Cheddar cheese is significantly lower in sodium, containing 2.5 times less sodium than American cheese. This makes cheddar a healthier option for those watching their sodium intake.
While both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, cheddar provides more nutritional benefits per serving. It is denser in nutrients and has a lower moisture content compared to American cheese.
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American cheese has more vitamins
While cheddar cheese is richer in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, American cheese contains higher levels of certain vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin E. It also has more than four times the iron content of cheddar, as well as higher amounts of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and choline.
American cheese is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of at least two cheeses, commonly cheddar or Colby cheese, and making up at least 51% of the product. It also contains other ingredients like emulsifiers, preservatives, acidifying agents, water, salt, cream or milk products, artificial colouring, and spices or flavourings. The emulsifying agents are what give American cheese its characteristic meltability.
Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is a natural, hard cheese made from cow's milk, matured for several months, and aged from two months to two years. It has a sharper taste and a crumbly texture. Cheddar is denser in nutrients and has a better nutritional profile with natural ingredients and a range of beneficial nutrients. It contains about 6 grams of protein per slice, while American cheese has only 3 grams.
Both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, but cheddar provides more nutritional benefits per serving. American cheese has a higher fat content and is more processed, while cheddar contains more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered healthier.
In terms of vitamins, American cheese has the edge with its higher levels of vitamins B12 and E, as well as its significantly higher content of iron and other minerals. However, both cheeses contain similar amounts of vitamin D, vitamin B5, and vitamin K.
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Cheddar has more calcium
Cheddar cheese is a hard, natural cheese with a sharper taste and crumbly texture. It is traditionally made from cow's milk, matured for several months, and can be white, off-white, or yellow. The flavour of cheddar ranges from mild to extra sharp and its texture varies from semi-hard to hard.
American cheese, on the other hand, is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of at least two cheeses, commonly including cheddar or Colby cheese. It has a smooth, creamy texture and melts evenly, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, or dishes that use melted cheese. American cheese tends to have a higher fat content and is more processed than cheddar.
Cheddar cheese undergoes an aging process that can range from a few months to several years, enhancing its flavour and texture. This natural aging process contributes to the development of a more robust flavour and crumbly texture in aged cheddar varieties.
While both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, cheddar provides more nutritional benefits per serving. Cheddar cheese is richer in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, making it a healthier option compared to American cheese. Specifically, cheddar is a good source of vitamin K2, which is important for heart and bone health. Vitamin K2 helps prevent calcium from accumulating in the walls of arteries and veins, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
In summary, when comparing American cheese and cheddar cheese, cheddar stands out for its higher nutritional value, particularly its calcium content. The aging process of cheddar contributes to its sharper taste and crumbly texture, making it a versatile option for cheese platters, sandwiches, or culinary creations.
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Frequently asked questions
American cheese is a processed cheese made from a blend of at least two cheeses, commonly Cheddar and Colby, along with other ingredients like emulsifiers, salt, and artificial colouring. Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is a natural, hard cheese made from cow's milk using traditional methods.
Both cheeses are high in fat and calories, with Cheddar being slightly higher in fat and saturated fat. Cheddar is denser in nutrients and has a higher protein content. American cheese contains more calcium, iron, and vitamin D. Cheddar is richer in zinc and selenium and has less sodium.
American cheese is less expensive than Cheddar due to its artificial processing, which also contributes to its longer shelf life.
