Cheese food, pasteurized process, American, without added vitamin D
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the classic, ultra-smooth American cheese product, engineered for perfect meltability and a consistently mild, salty flavor. Its texture is creamy and pliable, becoming a velvety, gooey sauce when heated without separating or becoming greasy. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of fat and protein, delivering a significant calorie payload in a small serving.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its unparalleled meltability and nostalgic, mild flavor that defines the classic American cheeseburger and grilled cheese sandwich. Its convenience and consistent performance make it a staple in home kitchens and diners alike.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is high in sodium and saturated fat, which can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract, pair it with fiber-rich vegetables, use a thin slice to add flavor without excess, and balance meals with lean proteins and whole grains.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of calcium for bone health
- High in protein for satiety and muscle maintenance
- Melts perfectly for a smooth, creamy texture
- Long shelf life and convenient pre-sliced format
- Provides a quick, energy-dense source of calories
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
American cheese was originally invented in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, who patented a process to make cheese more stable and transportable by blending different cheeses with emulsifying salts.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 44.0 g |
| Energy | 330 kcal |
| Energy | 1382 kj |
| Protein | 16.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 25.6 g |
| Ash | 5.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 5.6 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 5.4 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.18 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 682 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.26 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 27.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 438 mg |
| Potassium, K | 255 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1441 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 19.6 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 35.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.36 mg |
| Niacin | 0.15 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.85 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 7.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 7.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 29.9 mg |
| Betaine | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.3 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 240 ug |
| Retinol | 235 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 58.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 11.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 890 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 23.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.63 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.06 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 102 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 2.5 ug |
| Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 2.5 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.6 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 8.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 15.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.52 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.44 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.66 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.74 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 2.5 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.26 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 6.8 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.16 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.21 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.45 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.36 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.9 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 5.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.63 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.92 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.76 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.09 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.67 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.16 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.16 g |
| Cholesterol | 98.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.24 g |
| Threonine | 0.72 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.86 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.3 g |
| Methionine | 0.38 g |
| Cystine | 0.17 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.83 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.83 g |
| Valine | 1.0 g |
| Arginine | 0.61 g |
| Histidine | 0.45 g |
| Alanine | 0.52 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.5 g |
| Glycine | 0.32 g |
| Proline | 1.8 g |
| Serine | 0.93 g |
FAQ
Is American cheese real cheese?
It's technically a 'cheese product' because it contains emulsifying salts and other ingredients to improve meltability and shelf life, but it is still made primarily from cheese.
How does it differ from cheddar?
American cheese is softer, melts more smoothly, and has a milder flavor, while cheddar is firmer, more crumbly, and has a sharper taste.
Can it be used in cooking beyond sandwiches?
Yes, it's excellent in sauces, dips, casseroles, and as a topping for burgers, nachos, and baked potatoes due to its smooth melting properties.