Cheeseburger, NFS
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A cheeseburger, NFS (not further specified) is a classic American staple: a seasoned ground beef patty topped with a slice of melted cheese, nestled in a soft bun. It delivers a satisfying combination of savory, umami-rich meat, creamy cheese, and a hint of sweetness from the bun. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense source of complete protein and fats, with a notable carbohydrate load from the bun.
Calorie split: 25% protein · 26% carbs · 50% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love cheeseburgers for their deeply satisfying, savory flavor profile and the textural contrast between the juicy patty, melted cheese, and soft bun. They are a cultural icon of casual dining and comfort food, offering endless customization.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
A standard cheeseburger can be high in saturated fat, sodium, and refined carbs, which may concern those managing blood pressure or blood sugar. To mitigate this, opt for a lean beef or turkey patty, choose whole-grain buns, load up on vegetable toppings like lettuce and tomato, and practice portion control by enjoying a single patty without fries.
Key benefits
- High in complete protein for muscle maintenance.
- Good source of energy from fats and carbs.
- Contains calcium from the cheese.
- Provides iron and B vitamins from the beef.
- A convenient, satiating meal.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'cheeseburger' was trademarked in 1935 by Louis Ballt of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 45.1 g |
| Energy | 296 kcal |
| Protein | 17.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 18.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.60 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 171 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 198 mg |
| Potassium, K | 219 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 438 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 23.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.50 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.21 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Niacin | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.26 mg |
| Folate, total | 47.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 19.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 27.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 60.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 46.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 34.0 ug |
| Retinol | 33.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 10.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.19 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.69 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.7 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.9 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.42 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 54.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Fast foods, cheeseburger; double, regular patty; double decker bun with condiments and special sauce — USDA does not publish this profile for Cheeseburger.
| Tryptophan | 0.11 g |
| Threonine | 0.39 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.44 g |
| Leucine | 0.81 g |
| Lysine | 0.67 g |
| Methionine | 0.24 g |
| Cystine | 0.15 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.45 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.24 g |
| Valine | 0.52 g |
| Arginine | 0.58 g |
| Histidine | 0.29 g |
| Alanine | 0.61 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.74 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.70 g |
| Proline | 0.86 g |
| Serine | 0.44 g |
FAQ
What does 'NFS' mean on a nutrition label?
NFS stands for 'Not Further Specified.' It means the data is for a generic version of the food (like a cheeseburger) without details on specific ingredients, preparation methods, or portion sizes.
Is a cheeseburger a good source of protein?
Yes, a typical cheeseburger provides a substantial amount of high-quality, complete protein from the beef patty, which is essential for building and repairing tissues.
How can I make a cheeseburger healthier?
You can use lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner), a whole-wheat bun, and load it with vegetables. Grilling instead of frying also reduces added fat.
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 2.96 kcal/g · 24% calories from protein · 0.6 g fiber · 3.0 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: 2.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.