American Cheese Nutrients: Incredible Benefits, Drawbacks, and How Often to Eat It
See American cheese nutrients, benefits like high calcium, drawbacks like sodium, tips for balanced usage. Also know healthier alternatives.
White American Cheese Benefits and Drawbacks:
White American cheese is really a popular cheese used in many types of fast foods and classic dishes like cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches etc. There is a vast usage of this American cheese due to nutrients and minerals present in it which are very essential for proper growth and maintaining good health. Everyone uses it due to its nutritional highlights but almost all people don’t pay attention to its drawbacks due to sodium and high ratio of saturated fats.Â
In this article we are going to highlight the importance in the form of nutritional benefits and the drawbacks in the form of side effects of consuming a lot of cheese.
1. What is American Cheese?
As you know, American cheese is a processed cheese made by blending different cheeses like Cheddar and Colby. So we can say that it is a mixture. During production of this cheese many types of substances are added to it for example emulsifiers, agents that enhance flavor and give colors to the cheese.
White American cheese is available in the market with a variety of flavors and quality. For example slices, blocks and in the form of spreads. So you can take American cheese nutrients at any time when you want luxury morning specially when going to make Malaysian half boiled eggs recipe or cheese stuffed chicken peppers or egg cheese toast in morning.
2. Nutritional Composition:
Here is a breakdown of the key nutrients per 1-ounce (28-gram) slice of white American cheese.
Carbs:
24 grams of American white cheese gives only 1 gram of carbohydrates. Carbs are important part of American cheese nutrients. During the making process of cheese, nearly all lactose converts into lactic acid so a trace amount of carbs are formed.
Fats:
1 ounce of white American cheese contains 6 to 10 grams of fat in it. But it contains majorly saturated fats. It contains only a trace amount of trans fats. Many people ask me that why white American cheese is high in fat. The answer is simple , that actually it comes from cow milk. The saturated fats give a creamy texture to the cheese.
Protein:
24g of white American cheese contains approx. 5 to 6 grams of protein. Therefore we can say that it is a moderate source of protein. It also primarily comes from the milk, so it is milk protein and it is essential for proper growth of our body.
Vitamins:
White American cheese is actually full of vitamins. It contains following beneficial vitamins;
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Vitamin A
Cheese is a perfect source of Vitamin A, this vitamin is essential for healthy vision, better skin, and strong immunity. One ounce provides us with about 6-10% of the daily value (DV).
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Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found in trace amounts in cheeses like cheddar or Swiss, this vitamin is important for red blood cell production and brain health. 24g of this white cheese provides around 10% of the DV. Here you can see a comparison table of American cheese with Swiss and Cheddar.
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Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Riboflavin increases energy production and cellular function. One ounce of cheese offers about 6-8% of the DV.
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Other B-Vitamins
Cheese also contains small amounts of niacin, pantothenic acid, and folate, which improves overall metabolic health.
Minerals
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Calcium
Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and it is essential for strong bones and strong teeth. One ounce provides about 15-20% of the DV.
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Phosphorus
Cheese also contains phosphorus which gives strength to our bones and enhances energy production. 24g of cheese offers 10-15% of the DV.
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Zinc
This mineral in white American cheese is Important for immune function and wound healing. 24 grams of Cheese provides around 5-7% of the DV.
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Selenium
Selenium is a most important mineral which is an antioxidant and this antioxidant will help the body to protect cells from any type of damage. One ounce of cheese gives about 4-5% of the DV.
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Magnesium and Potassium
Both these minerals are present in smaller amounts, these minerals support muscle function and cardiovascular health.
3. Benefits of American Cheese
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High in Calcium:
American white Cheese is the best source of calcium. This calcium plays an important role in maintaining good bone health and in prevention of osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become too weak. Calcium is one of the most important American cheese nutrients.
Calcium also has other functions like regulating blood pressure, nerve transmission, and cholesterol. Deficiency of calcium causes Muscle Cramping, Irregular Heartbeat and Growth Issues in Children.
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High-Quality Protein Source:
We can’t forget the discussion of protein when discussing American cheese nutrients. Cheese is a good source of essential amino acids and their role in muscle repair and growth.Â
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Extended Shelf Life:
The taste of White American cheese doesn’t change and doesn’t need refrigeration unlike natural cheeses. This is one of the most beloved benefits of white American cheese. keep in mind that American cheese nutrients remain intact when you freeze it.
4. Drawbacks of American Cheese:
Although American cheese nutrients has many benefits which cannot be denied but stop here; there are some disadvantages of this cheese only when we use it in excess because;Â
Excess of everything is bad.
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High Saturated Fat Content:
As I have told you earlier, that white American cheese contains a lot of saturated fats. So, It is linked to LDL (bad) cholesterol and heart disease risk. For this reason I am suggesting you dairy fats because they may have a neutral effect.
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High Sodium Levels:
When you consume cheese too much, this may cause high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.
 Read also: 10 best substitutes of white American cheese
5. How Often Should You Eat American Cheese?
Moderation in its usage is important due to its high calorie, fat, and sodium content. Because overdose will have serious effects on your health. I would suggest healthier alternatives like natural cheeses like swiss and cheddar, milk and yogurt for better nutrient uptake without fear of any adverse effect.Â
6. Conclusion
Now you’ve read the dual nature of American cheese. I have discussed American cheese nutrients in detail. you have noticed that American cheese nutrients are very beneficial to your health but these American cheese nutrients may prove harmful for your body if you consume it too much.
Cheese is nutritious but also high in less healthy components like saturated fats and high sodium levels. When exploring healthier options, must keep one option in mind to utilize it within specific limits. I suggest reading the pros and cons of things before utilizing them.Â
FAQs
Is American cheese good for weight loss?
Taking this cheese in small quantities is safe because you do light exercise daily but utilizing a huge amount and not doing workout may cause serious effects.Â
Can I eat American cheese every day?
Indeed! But in small amounts.
What are the healthiest alternatives to American cheese?
I will suggest Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
Does American cheese contain lactose?
Yes it contains small amounts of lactose and it is suitable for those with lactose intolerance.