Andy Montoya
Cheddar and Pepper Jack are two popular varieties of cheese, but which is healthier? Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese that originated in England and is made from cow's milk that has been matured for several months. It is a good source of protein and calcium and is rich in vitamin K2, which is known to prevent calcium buildup in arteries and veins, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. On the other hand, Pepper Jack cheese is a mixture of Monterey Jack and other ingredients such as sweet peppers, herbs, and jalapeños. While it has roughly the same number of calories and grams of fat as Monterey Jack, it is a healthier option than cheddar for those watching their salt and fat intake, as cheddar has more fat and sodium.
| Characteristics | Cheddar | Pepper Jack |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Semi-hard | Semi-soft |
| Taste | Ranges from mild to extra sharp | Spicy |
| Colour | White, off-white, or yellow | |
| Fat | High | High |
| Sodium | High | Medium |
| Protein | High | Medium |
| Calcium | High | Medium |
| Vitamin K2 | High | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Pepper Jack has fewer calories and less sodium than Cheddar
Pepper Jack cheese is a spicy derivative of Monterey Jack cheese, with added peppers and herbs. It has a relatively low number of calories and a low sodium content when compared to other cheeses, including Cheddar.
A 1-ounce (28g) serving of Pepper Jack cheese has 100 calories, 7 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fat. Of the 8 grams of fat, 5 grams are saturated fat. While the American Heart Association recommends that less than 5% to 6% of your daily caloric intake should consist of saturated fat, one large study found that consuming dairy products may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cheddar, on the other hand, is more caloric than many other common cheeses. It has 114 calories per ounce, slightly more than Pepper Jack. Cheddar also has a higher fat content, with more than half of the fat being saturated. It also has more fat and sodium than Monterey Jack, so if you are watching your salt and fat intake, Pepper Jack is a better option than Cheddar or Monterey Jack.
In addition to its lower calorie and sodium content, Pepper Jack cheese is also a significant source of calcium, providing 209mg per ounce, or 15% of your daily recommended intake. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, and a diet lacking in calcium can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Therefore, when comparing Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, Pepper Jack is a healthier option due to its lower calorie and sodium content, as well as its higher calcium content.
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Cheddar has more calcium than Pepper Jack
Cheddar cheese, which originated in England, has more calcium than Pepper Jack cheese. Cheddar has just as much calcium as Monterey Jack, and Pepper Jack is a derivative of Monterey Jack. Therefore, Cheddar has more calcium than Pepper Jack.
Pepper Jack is a spicy version of Monterey Jack cheese. It is made by adding jalapeños, Serrano or red bell peppers, and herbs to Monterey Jack. While Pepper Jack is a nutritious cheese with a relatively low number of calories and sodium, Cheddar has more calcium.
Cheddar cheese is a full-fat cheese that provides protein and keeps you satisfied. It is higher in fat and sodium than Monterey Jack, but it has just as much calcium. Cheddar is also more caloric than many other common cheeses, with 114 calories per ounce.
On the other hand, Pepper Jack is a good source of calcium, with 15% of the daily recommended value in a 1-ounce serving. It is also high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets. However, more than half of the fat content in Pepper Jack cheese is saturated fat, which the American Heart Association recommends limiting in diets for people with high cholesterol.
In summary, while both Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses have their own nutritional benefits, Cheddar has more calcium than Pepper Jack due to its equivalent calcium content to Monterey Jack, from which Pepper Jack is derived.
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Cheddar has more protein than Pepper Jack
Cheddar cheese, which originated in England, has more fat and sodium than Pepper Jack. Pepper Jack is an American cheese made by adding peppers and herbs to Monterey Jack, giving it a spicy kick. While Pepper Jack is a good source of protein, Cheddar has more protein and just as much calcium as Pepper Jack.
Cheddar has 114 calories per ounce, which is more than many other common cheeses. It also has more fat, with over half being saturated fat. This is the type that the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends people with high cholesterol limit in their diets.
On the other hand, Pepper Jack is a relatively low-calorie cheese, with 100 calories per ounce. It is also a great source of calcium, providing 15% of the daily recommended value in one serving. However, Cheddar has slightly more protein, with 7 grams per ounce for Pepper Jack and just under 8 grams for Cheddar.
Both cheeses are good sources of protein, but Cheddar has a slight edge over Pepper Jack in terms of protein content. They also have similar calcium levels, but Cheddar contains more fat and sodium. Ultimately, the healthier choice between the two depends on your specific dietary needs and preferences.
In terms of taste and texture, Pepper Jack offers a spicy, tangy flavour, while Cheddar provides a sharper taste. Both cheeses melt easily, making them versatile in cooking.
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Pepper Jack is a good source of calcium and protein
Pepper Jack cheese is a spicy derivative of Monterey Jack cheese, which is often mixed with other cheeses to create new varieties. For example, Cheddar Jack is a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Pepper Jack is made from cow's milk and contains sweet peppers, fresh herbs, habanero chillies, garlic, and jalapenos, although the exact ingredients and level of spiciness vary between brands.
In addition to being a good source of calcium, a 1-ounce serving of Pepper Jack cheese contains 7 grams of protein, which is the nutrient responsible for making you feel full. This means that foods with a high protein content like pepper jack cheese are more likely to keep you full compared to other snacks with similar calorie counts. This makes Pepper Jack a good choice for a high-protein diet, which is intended to boost weight loss, improve energy levels, and enhance athletic performance.
Pepper Jack is also a relatively low-calorie cheese, with a 1-ounce serving containing 100 calories. It is also considered a low-sodium cheese, with 170mg of sodium per ounce, which is 7% of the recommended daily intake.
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Cheddar has more fat than Pepper Jack
Cheddar cheese, which originated in England, has more fat and sodium than Pepper Jack cheese. Cheddar has 114 calories per ounce, which is more than many other common cheeses, and it also has a higher fat content. More than half of the fat in cheddar cheese is saturated, which is the type that the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends people with high cholesterol should limit in their diet.
On the other hand, Pepper Jack cheese is a spicy version of Monterey Jack cheese, which is made by adding jalapeños, Serrano or red bell peppers, and herbs. While the number of calories and grams of fat in Pepper Jack varies depending on the brand, it generally has roughly the same amount of fat and calories as Monterey Jack.
In terms of nutritional value, Pepper Jack is considered to be on the more nutritious end of the cheese spectrum due to its relatively low amount of calories and sodium compared to other cheeses. It is also a great source of calcium and protein, with a 1-ounce serving providing 209mg of calcium, or 15% of the daily recommended intake, and 7 grams of protein.
Therefore, if you are watching your salt and fat intake, Pepper Jack cheese may be a healthier option than Cheddar cheese due to its lower fat content and lower sodium levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar is the healthier option as it is rich in vitamin K2, which is important for heart and bone health. Pepper jack cheese is a spicy version of Monterey jack and has a similar number of calories and grams of fat.
Pepper jack cheese is a derivative of Monterey jack cheese with added sweet peppers, herbs, chilies, garlic, and jalapenos.
Cheddar has more fat and sodium than pepper jack cheese.
Cheddar is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin K2. It also has the same amount of calcium as Monterey jack.
Cheddar is high in fat, with more than half of it being saturated fat, which should be limited in diets of people with high cholesterol.
