KRAFT CHEEZ WHIZ Pasteurized Process Cheese Sauce
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Kraft Cheez Whiz is a smooth, intensely savory, and salty processed cheese sauce known for its vibrant orange hue and creamy, spoonable texture. It delivers a high-fat, high-protein punch (21g fat, 12g protein per 100g) with a moderate calorie load of 276 kcal. Its distinctive, tangy flavor is engineered for maximum umami and meltability, making it a staple for quick, indulgent comfort food.
Calorie split: 18% protein · 13% carbs · 69% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its unparalleled convenience and the bold, nostalgic flavor that instantly elevates simple dishes like nachos, burgers, and pretzels. Its cultural status as a quintessential American comfort food and party staple makes it a go-to for easy, crowd-pleasing meals.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sodium content and processed nature can be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure or seeking whole foods, and it may trigger blood sugar spikes due to added sugars. To counteract this, pair it with high-fiber foods like raw vegetables or whole-grain crackers, and practice strict portion control (e.g., 1-2 tablespoons per serving) to manage sodium and calorie intake.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein (12g per 100g)
- Provides a significant amount of calcium for bone health
- Highly versatile for melting, dipping, and spreading
- Long shelf life and convenient, ready-to-use format
- Delivers a strong, satisfying umami flavor profile
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original Cheez Whiz formula was developed in 1952 by Kraft to mimic the texture of a traditional Welsh rarebit sauce, and it was initially marketed as a 'cheese food' rather than a 'cheese sauce' due to regulatory definitions.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 51.5 g |
| Energy | 276 kcal |
| Energy | 1155 kj |
| Protein | 12.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 21.0 g |
| Ash | 5.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 359 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.19 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 806 mg |
| Potassium, K | 240 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1638 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.6 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.40 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 649 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 13.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 75.0 mg |
FAQ
Is Cheez Whiz real cheese?
No, it is a 'pasteurized process cheese sauce' made from cheese, milk, and other ingredients like whey and emulsifiers, which give it its smooth, melt-resistant texture.
Can I use Cheez Whiz in cooking?
Yes, it's excellent for melting into sauces, dips, and casseroles, but it can become oily if overheated. It's best added at the end of cooking or used as a topping.
How does the nutrition compare to cheddar cheese?
Per 100g, Cheez Whiz has slightly fewer calories (276 vs. 400) and less fat (21g vs. 33g) than cheddar, but it contains more sodium and added sugars, while offering similar protein content.
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 2.76 kcal/g · 17% calories from protein · 0.3 g fiber · 6.7 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: 6.83 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.