Cheeseburger, on white bun, 1 medium patty
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic cheeseburger on a white bun features a savory, juicy beef patty nestled in a soft, slightly sweet bread, topped with melted cheese. It delivers a satisfying, umami-rich bite with a tender texture from the bun and a hearty chew from the patty. Nutritionally, it provides a solid dose of protein and fats, but is also calorie-dense for its size.
Calorie split: 25% protein · 26% carbs · 50% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the iconic, comforting combination of savory beef, creamy melted cheese, and a soft bun—a flavor profile that's deeply satisfying and culturally ingrained as a staple of casual American dining.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The white bun and added sugars can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, and the meal is often high in sodium and saturated fat. To counteract, pair it with a fiber-rich side salad or steamed vegetables, opt for a single patty, and choose a lower-sodium cheese or condiment.
Key benefits
- High-quality protein for muscle maintenance
- Provides essential minerals like iron and zinc from beef
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Can be a satisfying meal that promotes satiety
🍽️ 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, though the exact origin of placing cheese on a burger is debated among several U.S. diners.
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
Is a cheeseburger a good source of protein?
Yes, a medium beef patty provides a substantial amount of complete protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
Why is the white bun less healthy than whole grain?
White buns are made from refined flour, which lacks the fiber and nutrients of whole grains, leading to faster digestion and potential blood-sugar spikes.
Can I make a healthier cheeseburger at home?
Absolutely. Use lean ground beef or turkey, a whole-wheat bun, load up on lettuce, tomato, and onion, and skip sugary sauces like ketchup.
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.