Kraft American cheese is a popular processed cheese product commonly used for sandwiches, burgers, grilled cheese, and more. With its mild cheddar flavor and creamy texture, it’s a household staple for many. But when watching your calorie intake, you may wonder – how many calories are actually in a slice of Kraft American cheese?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the calorie and nutrient content in Kraft American cheese slices. You’ll learn the exact calories per slice, how that compares to other cheeses, and the other nutrients found in Kraft American cheese. We’ll also provide tips for enjoying Kraft American cheese as part of a healthy diet.
Whether you’re meal prepping, packing a lunch, or making a quick snack, understanding the calories in Kraft American cheese can help you make informed food choices. Keep reading to become a Kraft American cheese nutrition expert!
Calories in 1 Slice of Kraft American Cheese
First, let’s start with the main question – how many calories are in a single slice of Kraft American cheese?
One slice (1 oz or 28g) of Kraft American cheese contains:
Calories: 90
The typical Kraft single cheese slice weighs around 28 grams. So every slice contains 90 calories, making it a relatively high-calorie cheese choice.
For reference, here’s how the calories in Kraft American cheese compare to other popular cheese choices per 1 oz serving:
| Cheese | Calories |
|---|---|
| Kraft American Cheese Slice | 90 calories |
| Cheddar Cheese | 115 calories |
| Mozzarella Cheese | 85 calories |
| Swiss Cheese | 106 calories |
As you can see, Kraft American cheese is lower in calories than many natural cheeses like cheddar. But it contains slightly more calories than low-moisture part skim mozzarella.
So if you’re aiming for a lower calorie cheese option, a slice of Kraft American cheese is a decent option. But it isn’t the absolute lowest in calories compared to some other cheeses.
Nutrition Facts for Kraft American Cheese
Now that we’ve covered the calories, let’s look at the full nutrition facts for a slice of Kraft American cheese.
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 slice (28g) of Kraft American Cheese:
Calories: 90
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 320mg
Total Carbohydrates: 1g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 5g
Kraft American cheese is high in saturated fat and sodium compared to natural cheeses. A slice contains 11% of your daily saturated fat needs and 13% of your daily sodium.
It also contains 5g of protein per slice, which is about 9% of your daily protein requirements.
As you can see, enjoying American cheese in moderation is key to getting its savory flavor while limiting fat, sodium, and calories.
Kraft American Cheese Ingredients
To understand the nutrition stats for American cheese, it helps to look at what it’s made of.
Kraft American Cheese ingredients include:
– Milk
– Whey
– Milkfat
– Milk Protein Concentrate
– Salt
– Sodium Phosphate
– Lactic Acid
– Sorbic Acid
– Sodium Citrate
– Cheese Culture
– Annatto and Paprika (for color)
The ingredients show that it’s made from dairy products like milk and whey. But it also contains emulsifiers and preservatives that give it its smooth, shelf-stable texture.
The milkfat and milk protein contribute to its protein and fat content. And added salt provides over 300mg of sodium per slice.
Overall, understanding the ingredients helps explain why American cheese differs nutritionally from natural cheeses.
Kraft American Cheese Nutrition Facts: Benefits & Drawbacks
Now that you know what’s in Kraft American cheese and its nutrition stats, let’s analyze some of the benefits and downsides of eating it.
Here are some of the benefits of Kraft American cheese:
Benefits
– Lower in calories than most natural cheeses
– Creamy, smooth texture
– Mild cheddar-like flavor
– High in calcium compared to other processed cheeses
– Convenient and quick
– Melts extremely well
And here are a few of the drawbacks:
Drawbacks
– High in saturated fat and sodium
– Highly processed
– Lacks the nutrition of natural cheeses
– Contains artificial preservatives
– Can contain GMOs
Overall, enjoying American cheese occasionally or in moderation can allow you to get its creamy flavor and meltability while limiting the downsides.
Choosing reduced-sodium varieties or light American cheese can also help cut some of its saltiness. And pairing it with high fiber, antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies can balance out a meal nutritionally.
Tips for Enjoying Kraft American Cheese
Here are some tips for enjoying Kraft American cheese as part of a healthy diet:
– Use thin slices on sandwiches or burgers to limit calories and fat intake.
– Choose reduced-sodium American cheese to cut sodium consumption.
– Mix with shredded natural cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella for more flavor.
– Add American cheese sparingly on top of salads or veggies to enhance taste.
– Opt for light or 2% American cheese to reduce fat and calories.
– Pair cheese with fiber-rich fruits and veggies for better nutrition.
– Add American cheese to omelets, breakfast sandwiches or wraps in moderation.
– Use just a slice or two in grilled cheese for gooey flavor without excess calories.
– Enjoy on special occasions or as an occasional treat, not daily.
Healthier Kraft American Cheese Alternatives
If you’re looking to cut back on processed foods but still want melty, creamy cheese, here are some healthier Kraft American cheese alternatives:
– Natural Colby or Monterey Jack cheese – melts well with less fat than cheddar
– Part-skim mozzarella
– Pepper Jack cheese
– Goat cheese
– Reduced-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese
– Small amounts of real parmesan or pecorino romano cheese
Swapping even half of the American cheese called for in recipes with one of these alternatives can give you delicious flavor with more nutrition.
Kraft American Cheese During Pregnancy
Pregnant women may wonder if enjoying American cheese is safe for their baby’s health.
According to the FDA, pasteurized processed cheeses like Kraft American cheese are safe during pregnancy as long as they’re consumed immediately after opening.
Pregnant women simply need to avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses to limit risk of food-borne illness. This includes feta, Brie, Camembert, blue cheeses, queso fresco, and Mexican-style cheeses.
So when pregnant, you can safely satisfy cravings for grilled cheese, burgers, and other melty cheeses with pasteurized American cheese in moderation. Just focus on getting plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains too.
Kraft American Cheese for Weight Loss
American cheese can be enjoyed as part of a weight loss diet. But it’s important to do so in moderation.
When aiming to lose weight, it’s most important to focus on an overall calorie deficit, eating plenty of fiber and lean protein, exercising, and controlling portions.
Enjoying a slice or two of American cheese daily can fit into a reduced calorie diet. Just account for the 90 calories and 7g fat per slice within your daily intake.
Also, be mindful of portion size with cheese-based dishes. Measure out a 1 oz slice over a salad instead of freely sprinkling. Or use a light hand when making quesadillas or grilled cheese.
Prioritizing nutritious low calorie foods and watching your portions allows you to enjoy American cheese in moderation during weight loss.
Does Kraft American Cheese Have Gluten?
Kraft American cheese is naturally gluten-free, which is good news for those avoiding gluten.
Since American cheese is made from dairy ingredients like milk, milkfat, whey, and milk protein, it does not contain any gluten.
The only potential source of gluten would be in flavorings, preservatives or seasonings added to certain varieties. Always check labels for mentions of gluten-containing additions like wheat.
But plain Kraft American cheese as well as reduced-sodium and light varieties are labeled gluten-free. This makes it a safe, gluten-free lunch and sandwich option.
Kraft American Cheese and Keto Diets
Keto dieters often wonder if American cheese fits into the ultra low-carb keto way of eating.
While Kraft American cheese is lower in carbs than some cheeses, it may still be too high to regularly fit into keto meal plans.
One slice of Kraft American cheese contains 1g net carb. To stay in ketosis, keto dieters aim for around 20g net carbs or less per day.
So while an occasional slice of American cheese on a burger bunless burger may fit into keto, it’s best to opt for lower carb cheese choices.
Some better keto-friendly cheese options include:
– Mozzarella
– Cheddar
– Parmesan
– Swiss
– Pepper jack
– Goat cheese
These will provide the satisfying flavor and fat content keto dieters need without excessive carbs.
Potential Health Risks of Kraft American Cheese
While American cheese can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, there are some potential downsides to consider:
Sodium Content: With 320mg sodium per slice, overdoing American cheese can lead to excess sodium intake, which may increase risk of high blood pressure and fluid retention.
Saturated Fat: The 4.5g of saturated fat per slice can contribute to high cholesterol when consumed in large amounts.
Lack of Nutrients: Compared to natural cheeses, American cheese is lower in nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. Relying on it as your sole source of dairy could lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Food Additives: The extra preservatives allow American cheese to stay shelf-stable, but some people prefer to avoid these artificial ingredients when possible.
GMOs: The milk and whey used in Kraft American cheese may come from cows treated with rBST growth hormone or that have eaten genetically modified feed, which some people aim to avoid.
By enjoying American cheese in moderation as part of a nutrient-rich diet, you can minimize potential downsides.
The Bottom Line
So how many calories in a slice of Kraft American cheese? Each 1 oz slice contains 90 calories, 4.5g saturated fat, and 320mg sodium.
While higher in processed ingredients than natural cheeses, enjoying American cheese occasionally can allow you to take advantage of its meltability and mild flavor.
Just be mindful of portion size, limit saturated fat intake, and aim for reduced-sodium or light varieties to maximize the benefits of Kraft American cheese.
And pair your cheese slices or dishes with plenty of fresh, fiber-rich fruits and veggies for the healthiest meal.
Now that you know exactly what’s in a slice of American cheese, you can make informed choices about when and how often to enjoy this popular processed cheese!
