Cheese, pasteurized process, American, low fat
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the quintessential American cheese slice, engineered for perfect meltability and a mild, creamy flavor. Its smooth, pliable texture and consistent performance make it a staple for everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to cheeseburgers. Nutritionally, it's a surprisingly lean protein source, packing over 24g of protein per 100g with just 7g of fat.
Calorie split: 56% protein · 8% carbs · 36% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its unparalleled meltability and mild, salty creaminess that enhances rather than dominates a dish. It's a cornerstone of American comfort food culture, evoking nostalgia from childhood grilled cheese sandwiches to classic diner burgers.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is often high in sodium, which can be a concern for blood pressure, and may contain emulsifying salts like sodium citrate. Those watching sodium intake should pair it with low-sodium foods like fresh vegetables or opt for a single slice, using it as a flavor accent rather than the main component.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance.
- Low in fat compared to many full-fat cheeses.
- Melts smoothly and consistently without separating.
- Fortified with calcium and Vitamin D in many brands.
- Long shelf life and convenient pre-sliced packaging.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Pasteurized process American cheese is legally required by the FDA to be labeled 'pasteurized process American cheese' if it's made from a blend of cheeses (like Cheddar and Colby), but can be called 'pasteurized process cheese food' if it contains more non-cheese ingredients like whey or milk protein concentrate.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 58.9 g |
| Energy | 180 kcal |
| Energy | 753 kj |
| Protein | 24.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.0 g |
| Ash | 6.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 3.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.59 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 684 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.43 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 827 mg |
| Potassium, K | 180 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1789 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.39 mg |
| Niacin | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 36.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.77 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 57.0 ug |
| Retinol | 55.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 18.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 215 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.27 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 5.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.23 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.72 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.85 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.23 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.14 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 35.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cheese, cottage, with vegetables — USDA does not publish this profile for Cheese.
| Tryptophan | 0.13 g |
| Threonine | 0.53 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.70 g |
| Leucine | 1.2 g |
| Lysine | 0.97 g |
| Methionine | 0.36 g |
| Cystine | 0.11 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.65 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.64 g |
| Valine | 0.74 g |
| Arginine | 0.55 g |
| Histidine | 0.40 g |
| Alanine | 0.62 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.82 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.6 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 1.4 g |
| Serine | 0.67 g |
FAQ
Is American cheese real cheese?
Yes, it's a 'pasteurized process cheese' made by blending real cheeses (like Cheddar) with emulsifying salts and other ingredients to create a uniform, meltable product.
Why does it melt so perfectly?
The emulsifying salts (like sodium citrate) prevent the fats and proteins from separating when heated, resulting in a smooth, creamy melt without oiliness.
Is low-fat American cheese healthier?
It's lower in fat and calories than regular American cheese, but often higher in sodium and may contain more additives to maintain texture and flavor.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, but the texture may become slightly crumbly or grainy upon thawing. It's best used in cooked dishes like casseroles or omelets after freezing.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.80 kcal/g · 55% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 9.94 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.