Quick Answer
Two slices of Velveeta cheese contain around 6-8 grams of net carbs. Velveeta is a processed American cheese product that contains some carbs from milk and added sugars. The exact carb count can vary between 6-8 grams for two 1 oz slices, depending on the specific product.
Calculating Carbs in Velveeta
To determine the carb count in Velveeta, we need to look at the nutrition label. Here are some key details:
– One serving is generally considered 1 oz or 2 slices, with around 50-70 calories per slice.
– Total carbs range from 2-4 grams per slice. This includes sugars, fiber and other carbohydrates.
– Dietary fiber is around 0 grams per slice.
– Sugars range from 1-2 grams per slice. This consists mostly of lactose, the naturally occurring sugar in milk.
– Net carbs can be calculated by subtracting fiber from total carbs. Since Velveeta has no fiber, the net carbs equal the total carbs.
So for two slices totaling 2 oz, you would expect roughly:
– Total carbs: 4-8 grams
– Fiber: 0 grams
– Sugars: 2-4 grams
– Net carbs: 4-8 grams
The exact carb count can vary slightly depending on the specific product, ingredients and slice size. But in general, two slices of Velveeta can be estimated to contain 6-8 grams of net carbohydrates.
Velveeta Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition label for a typical Velveeta cheese product:
| Serving Size | 2 slices (56g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 450mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 4g |
| Protein | 12g |
As you can see, for 2 slices totaling 56 grams, there are 8 grams of total carbs. With no fiber, the net carbs also equal 8 grams.
Velveeta Ingredients
To better understand the carbs in Velveeta, let’s look at the main ingredients:
– Milk – supplies lactose (milk sugar) and some natural carbohydrates.
– Whey – contains lactose and milk proteins.
– Milkfat – contributes minimal carbs.
– Milk Protein Concentrate – contains milk sugars and proteins.
– Vegetable Oil – contains no carbs.
– Sodium Phosphate – inorganic salt, no carbs.
– Sodium Citrate – used to process cheese, no carbs.
– Calcium Phosphate – inorganic calcium, no carbs.
– Modified Food Starch – this is used as a thickener and adds a small amount of digestible carbs.
– Sugar – typically corn syrup or cane sugar, added for flavor. Contributes directly to the sugar and carb content.
– Salt, Sorbic Acid, Enzymes, Vitamins – no carbs.
So the majority of carbohydrates in Velveeta come from the natural milk sugars (lactose) and added sugars for flavor. The modified food starch contributes a small amount as well.
Velveeta Compared to Regular Cheese
How does Velveeta compare to regular sliced cheese in terms of carbs?
Velveeta generally has more carbs than an equal serving of natural cheese slices. For example:
– Two slices (56g) of Velveeta contains about 8g net carbs.
– Two slices (56g) of cheddar cheese contains around 1-2g net carbs.
The increased carbs in Velveeta come from:
– Added modified food starch as a thickener.
– More added sugars for enhanced flavor.
– The ingredients and process used to make shelf-stable packaged cheese.
So you can expect Velveeta to have about 5-6g more net carbs than an equal portion of regular sliced cheese. The trade-off is convenience and a smooth, creamy texture.
Carb Differences in Detail
Looking more closely:
| Cheese Type | Serving Size | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velveeta | 2 slices (56g) | 8g | 8g |
| Cheddar Cheese | 2 slices (56g) | 1-2g | 1-2g |
So Velveeta contains about 3-4 times more carbs than an equal amount of cheddar cheese.
Tips for Reducing Carbs in Velveeta
If you are limiting carbs, here are some tips for reducing the amount when eating Velveeta:
– Use single slices instead of double slices to cut the carbs in half.
– Limit to occasional use or smaller portions. Stick to 1-2 oz at a time.
– Dilute it by melting it into sauces, casseroles or soups.
– Combine it with low-carb ingredients like meat, veggies, etc to reduce the overall carb impact.
– Substitute half the Velveeta in a recipe with regular cheese.
– Look for low-carb processed cheese options with less added sugars.
– For sandwiches, use Velveeta sparingly or avoid the second slice of bread.
With some adjustments, you can still enjoy the unique melted texture of Velveeta while controlling carb intake.
The Best Low-Carb Cheese Options
To limit carbs, your best bet is to stick with natural, unprocessed cheeses:
| Low-Carb Cheese | Net Carbs per Ounce |
|---|---|
| Cheddar | 0.4g |
| Mozzarella | 0.5g |
| Swiss | 0.4g |
| Blue Cheese | 0.8g |
| Feta | 1g |
| Parmesan | 0.9g |
These natural cheeses only contain trace carbs coming from residual milk sugars. Processed and packaged cheeses almost always have more carbs from thickeners, sugars, etc.
So read labels carefully and stick to whole food sources when possible. With some smart substitutions, you can still enjoy cheese on a low carb diet.
Should You Eat Velveeta on Keto?
The ketogenic or “keto” diet restricts carb intake to 20-50g net carbs per day. This very low intake puts your body into ketosis for using fat as fuel.
On keto, most people will want to avoid Velveeta due to the added carbs:
– Two slices would provide up to 8g net carbs, taking up a substantial part of the daily budget.
– There are better low-carb options available like natural cheeses.
However, small amounts may occasionally fit into some keto eating plans. Here are tips:
– Use single slices and limit intake to 1 oz (2g net carbs) at a time.
– Only eat it occasionally as a treat in place of other carbs that day.
– Melt it into recipes like casseroles to dilute the carb impact.
– Mix it with very low carb ingredients to make a “fathead” dough or sauce.
While not the best choice, Velveeta can work for the occasional keto treat. Just account for the carbs and enjoy it in moderation as part of a low-carb meal plan.
Cooking and Baking with Velveeta
Velveeta has a smooth, creamy melting texture that is great for cooking and baking. Here are some recipes to try:
– Queso dip – Melt velveeta with rotel tomatoes and green chiles for a creamy dip.
– Mac and cheese – For an easy stovetop version, melt velveeta into milk then toss with cooked pasta.
– Cheese sauce – Whisk melted velveeta into a roux for pouring over vegetables or baked potatoes.
– Chili or soup – Let velveeta melt into the hot liquid to add creaminess.
– Grilled cheese – Get that ooey-gooey texture by griddling velveeta between bread slices.
– Cheeseball – Soften then mix velveeta with herbs and spices to form a spreadable ball.
– Cheesecake – Make a smooth and creamy no-bake cheesecake crust with crushed graham crackers.
In most cases you can use equal parts Velveeta and real cheese or dairy. This gives you the convenience of Velveeta along with the flavor of natural cheese.
Just keep portion sizes in check since Velveeta adds more fat and carbs than real cheese. Melting it into casseroles or soups can help control the amount used.
Should You Refrigerate Opened Velveeta?
Since Velveeta is a processed shelf-stable product, many people wonder if it requires refrigeration after opening.
The answer is yes – you should store opened Velveeta in the fridge:
– Once opened, Velveeta is susceptible to mold growth at room temperature. Refrigeration helps prevent this.
– The milkfat in Velveeta can go rancid if left unrefrigerated for too long.
– Refrigeration will help retain texture, flavor and appearance.
Store opened Velveeta slices wrapped in the original packaging. If you’ve cut a larger block into pieces, keep them tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
Properly stored, opened Velveeta will stay fresh in the fridge for 1-2 months. Quality slowly declines after this time.
Discard any Velveeta that becomes dried out, moldy or smells spoiled. Keeping it refrigerated once opened helps maximize shelf life.
Conclusion
Velveeta cheese delivers its signature creamy, melty texture with a trade-off of more fat, salt and carbs than natural cheese. Two slices provide about 6-8g net carbs.
When limiting carbs, be aware of reasonable portion sizes. Or dilute it by melting into casseroles and sauces. For the lowest carbs, stick with whole food cheeses like cheddar, swiss and mozzarella.
But for an occasional melty, gooey treat, a little Velveeta can still fit into healthy eating when paired with veggie sides or lean protein. Just enjoy it as you would any other higher calorie food – in moderation.
