Patrick Oconnell
When it comes to choosing between American cheese and cheddar cheese, it is important to understand their nutritional differences. Both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, but their fat content, vitamin and mineral composition, and processing methods differ significantly. So, which is the healthier option?
American Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | American cheese is a processed cheese product, made from a blend of milk, milk fats, solids, and other fats. Cheddar cheese is a natural, hard cheese made from cow's milk. |
| Texture | American cheese is creamy and smooth, melting effortlessly. Cheddar is hard, crumbly, and dry. |
| Taste | American cheese has a mild, creamy flavor. Cheddar has a sharper, more pungent taste and is described as creamy. |
| Color | American cheese is medium-yellow. Cheddar ranges from white and pale yellow to dark orange due to the use of annatto, a fruit-based coloring. |
| Calories | American cheese is lower in calories per slice, but higher in carbs and saturated fat. Cheddar is higher in calories overall but provides more nutritional benefits per serving. |
| Fat Content | American cheese has a higher fat content. Cheddar contains more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered healthier. |
| Protein | Cheddar is richer in protein, containing about 6 grams per slice, while American cheese has only 3 grams. |
| Vitamins | American cheese contains higher levels of vitamin B12, vitamin E, and vitamin D. Both cheeses contain similar amounts of vitamin B5 and vitamin K. |
| Minerals | American cheese contains more calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and choline. Cheddar is richer in zinc, selenium, and iron. Cheddar also has significantly lower sodium content. |
| Keto-Friendly | American cheese is not suitable for keto due to its potential to spike insulin levels. Cheddar cheese is keto-friendly and can be consumed in moderation. |
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What You'll Learn
American cheese is a processed product, not real cheese
While American cheese and cheddar cheese share similar colours and appearances, they are vastly different in terms of their nutritional profiles and health benefits. Cheddar cheese is a natural, hard cheese with a sharper taste and crumbly texture, while American cheese is a processed cheese product with a mild, creamy flavour and a smooth texture.
American cheese is a processed cheese product, not a natural cheese. According to the FDA, it is officially called "pasteurized processed American cheese". It was first developed in 1911 in Switzerland by heating shredded Swiss cheese with sodium citrate, an emulsifying agent, to create a shelf-stable cheese product. Kraft cheese, a similar product, was patented in 1916 using a slightly different process of heating and whisking melted cheddar cheese to form blocks of American cheese. Today, American cheese is made from a blend of at least two cheeses (commonly cheddar or Colby cheese), making up at least 51% of the product, as per FDA regulations. Other ingredients may include emulsifiers, acidifying agents, water, salt, cream or milk products, artificial colouring, and spices or flavourings. The emulsifying agents are what give American cheese its characteristic melt-in-the-mouth quality.
The processing of American cheese makes it distinct from natural cheeses like cheddar. Natural cheeses, such as cheddar, undergo a traditional cheese-making process using heat, milk, microorganisms, salt, and enzymes. Cheddar cheese, in particular, is required to be aged from two months to two years before consumption, contributing to its sharper taste and crumbly texture. On the other hand, American cheese is processed from natural cheeses by melting and emulsifying them with suitable salts, resulting in a product that melts faster than natural cheese.
The distinction between American cheese as a processed cheese product and cheddar cheese as a natural cheese has significant implications for their nutritional profiles and health benefits. Cheddar cheese is relatively denser in nutrients compared to American cheese, offering a better nutritional profile with natural ingredients and a range of beneficial nutrients. It is richer in protein, essential nutrients like calcium, and certain vitamins such as B vitamins. Additionally, cheddar cheese contains about 6 grams of protein per slice, while American cheese has only 3 grams. This makes cheddar a more protein-rich option, as protein is essential for muscle repair and growth.
In summary, American cheese is considered a processed cheese product rather than a natural cheese due to its manufacturing process and ingredient composition. This processing differentiates it from natural cheeses like cheddar, which undergo traditional cheese-making methods and offer a denser concentration of nutrients and health benefits.
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Cheddar is a natural cheese with a traditional making process
Cheddar cheese is a natural cheese with a traditional making process. It is made from cow's milk and has a distinct sharp and creamy taste. The process of making cheddar involves several steps, including preparing and standardising milk, adding a starter culture with rennet, coagulating the milk, cutting the coagulum into small cubes, and heating and agitating these cubes. After removing the whey, the curd is fused into slabs, continuously stirred, salted, and finally pressed. This lengthy process is then followed by a lengthy ageing period, with cheddar being aged from two months to two years before it is ready for consumption.
Cheddar cheese is named after the town of Cheddar in England, with records of this cheese dating back to the 12th century. Today, it is a hard and dry cheese, with a minimum of 50% fat content and a maximum of 39% moisture content. Its colour can range from white and pale yellow to dark orange, with the darker shades coming from annatto, a fruit-based colouring. Cheddar is a crumbly, sharp-tasting cheese that is often described as having a creamy texture.
The traditional making process of cheddar cheese is a key factor in its classification as a natural cheese. This process starts with milk, which is then transformed through a series of specific steps, each contributing to the final texture and flavour of the cheese. The lengthy ageing period is also a significant aspect of the traditional process, allowing the flavours to develop and mature.
In contrast, American cheese is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, colby, or granular cheese. It was first produced commercially in 1911 in Switzerland and then in the US in 1916. American cheese is made by melting and emulsifying natural cheeses with salts, reforming the mixture, and packaging it into slices. This processing gives American cheese its characteristic meltability and smooth texture.
The traditional, natural production of cheddar cheese sets it apart from American cheese, which is a more recently developed, processed cheese product. Cheddar's natural making process contributes to its denser nutritional profile, offering a range of beneficial nutrients and a higher protein content than American cheese.
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Cheddar is denser in nutrients and has a better nutritional profile
When it comes to choosing between American cheese and cheddar cheese, it's clear that cheddar is the healthier option. While both cheeses have similar average serving sizes, their nutritional content differs significantly. Cheddar cheese is a natural, hard cheese with a sharper, creamier taste and a crumbly texture. It is made through a traditional process involving heat, milk, microorganisms, salt, and enzymes. This lengthy process results in a denser and more nutrient-rich cheese.
Cheddar cheese is richer in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, making it a more nutritious option compared to American cheese. While American cheese tends to have a higher vitamin B12 and vitamin E content, cheddar provides more calcium, vitamin K, and selenium. Additionally, cheddar is significantly lower in sodium, containing 2.5 times less than its American counterpart.
The manufacturing processes of the two cheeses also contribute to their nutritional differences. American cheese is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of natural cheeses, such as cheddar or Colby cheese, along with other ingredients like emulsifiers, acidifying agents, water, salt, cream, milk products, artificial coloring, and spices. This blend of cheeses and additives results in a milder, creamier flavor and a smoother texture. However, the processing and added ingredients may contribute to a less dense nutritional profile.
Furthermore, the fat composition of cheddar cheese is considered healthier. While both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, cheddar has a slightly higher fat content, primarily consisting of healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. American cheese, on the other hand, tends to have a higher saturated fat content, which is generally less beneficial from a nutritional standpoint.
In summary, when considering the nutritional profiles of American cheese and cheddar cheese, cheddar emerges as the denser and more nutrient-rich option. It offers a wider range of beneficial nutrients and is made through a traditional process, resulting in a sharper, creamier, and more natural-tasting cheese.
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American cheese has a higher vitamin B12 and E content
When it comes to choosing between American cheese and cheddar cheese, it is important to consider their nutritional differences. While both cheeses have the same average serving size, their nutritional content varies significantly.
American cheese is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of at least two cheeses, commonly ched
Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is a natural, hard cheese made from cow's milk using traditional methods. It has a sharper, creamier taste and a crumbly texture. The manufacturing process of cheddar involves preparing and standardizing milk, adding a starter culture with rennet, coagulating milk, cutting the coagulum into small cubes, heating and agitating the cubes, removing the whey, fusing the curd into slabs, stirring, salting, and finally pressing. Cheddar is then aged from two months to two years before consumption.
One of the key nutritional differences between the two cheeses is that American cheese contains higher levels of certain vitamins, specifically vitamins B12 and E. These vitamins offer important health benefits. Vitamin B12, for example, is essential for maintaining healthy blood and nerve cells, while vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body's cells from damage.
In addition to their vitamin content, there are other nutritional differences between American and cheddar cheeses. Cheddar cheese, for instance, is richer in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, making it a healthier option for those seeking a more nutrient-dense cheese. It also has a lower sodium content compared to American cheese. However, American cheese is lower in calories per slice, with around 65 calories per slice compared to cheddar's approximate 114 calories.
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Cheddar is keto-friendly, American cheese is not
Cheddar and American cheese have different nutritional profiles, and these differences are what make cheddar keto-friendly and American cheese not. Both cheeses are high-calorie foods, but cheddar is slightly higher in calories and fat content. Cheddar is also denser in nutrients, providing 5g more protein per 100g serving compared to American cheese. Cheddar is also significantly lower in sodium, containing 2.5 times less than American cheese.
Cheddar is a natural, hard cheese made from cow's milk, while American cheese is a processed product made from a blend of at least two cheeses, commonly cheddar or Colby cheese, and other ingredients like emulsifiers, acidifying agents, water, salt, cream or milk products, artificial colouring, and spices or flavourings. This blend gives American cheese its characteristic mild, creamy flavour and smooth texture.
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet often used to promote weight loss. Cheese is allowed and even encouraged on the keto diet, as it is high in fat and protein and typically contains low levels of carbohydrates. However, some cheeses are more keto-friendly than others due to variations in fat content and level of processing. Minimally processed, high-fat cheeses are ideal for the keto diet, and cheddar fits the bill. Its high-fat content, full flavour, and low carbohydrate content make it a good choice for those following the keto diet.
On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese, and processed cheeses are generally considered unsuitable for the keto diet. Processed cheeses tend to be lower in fat and higher in carbohydrates, which are not ideal for keto. Additionally, American cheese contains higher amounts of sodium, which can be a concern for those watching their salt intake.
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Frequently asked questions
American cheese is a processed cheese product made from a blend of milk, milk fats, solids, and other fats and whey protein concentrates. It is made from a blend of at least two cheeses (commonly cheddar or Colby cheese), making up at least 51% per the FDA.
Cheddar cheese is considered the healthier option as it is a natural cheese, whereas American cheese is highly processed and contains unhealthy preservatives. Cheddar is also denser in nutrients and has a lower sodium content. However, American cheese contains higher amounts of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and choline.
Both American and cheddar cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation. Dr. Berg recommends keeping cheese consumption at a moderate level for better digestion, suggesting 3 to 4 ounces per meal as a good guideline.
