What Is American Cheese and Is It Healthy?
Are you a turophile? Don’t get excited. Turophile is an official word that uses for people who are obsessed with cheese. If you are a cheese lover, you must have tried American cheese at least once. The melting taste and milky flavor provoke people to consume more dishes that are made of American cheese.
The article gives a complete profile of American cheese and also discusses whether it’s healthy or not.
Contents
What is American cheese?
American cheese is processed cheese that is made from different cheeses such as cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, granular cheese, and washed curd cheese. The creamy and salty flavor attracts people to eat foods filled with delicious American cheese. It is common in most American foods such as burgers, sandwiches, etc.
American cheese is officially known as ‘pasteurized process cheese food’. Usually, cheese is made from either cow’s milk or goat’s milk. But American cheese is made from a blend of cheeses.
Therefore, it tastes better than other cheeses. The taste and texture may vary depending on the type of cheese and additives used while making. The cheese appears in either white, yellow, or orange color. It is saltier than other cheeses.
What are the nutritional components of American cheese?
According to USDA, one slice of American cheese contains 75 calories, 6.3 grams of fat, zero gram of fiber, 342 milligrams of sodium, 3.7 grams of protein, and zero grams of fiber.
Protein
Protein is one of the important components of body development. American cheese is high in proteins. The main source of protein found in whey and casein. American cheese also contains amino acids that are essential for building muscles and producing energy.
Vitamins and minerals
American cheese is a good source of minerals like phosphorus. It has several health benefits. American cheese contains active components such as vitamin D and calcium. These components are important for strong bones and teeth.
Carbs
The carbohydrate content of American cheese can be seen in the form of sugar, specifically lactose.
Fats
American cheese contains a high amount of saturated fat. A slice of American cheese consists of 3.73 grams of saturated fat.
Is American cheese good for your health?
Like other cheeses, American cheese has its pros and cons. It depends on how much you eat, how often you eat, individual health risk factors, what else you eat, etc. moderate level of American cheese is good for your health. Regular consumption of cheese is harmful to your heart health and other parts of the body. Studies have shown the advantages and disadvantages of American cheese.
Let’s look at the advantages of American cheese.
What are the health benefits of American cheese?
- Reduce obesity
American cheese contains a low-carbohydrate content. Therefore, it can be considered one of the healthy options to include in the low-carb diet. A diet that follows fewer carbohydrates and essential nutrients help to control weight and obesity.
- Strengthen bones
Calcium and bone health are connected. Calcium is an essential component for strengthening bones. American cheese is rich in nutrients like protein and calcium. American cheese is recommended by healthcare professionals for people who have poor bone health. 100 grams of American cheese contain 1380 mg of calcium. So, it helps strengthen the bones.
- Control blood pressure
Studies show that consuming dairy products is a good way of getting essential nutrients to the body. It may beneficial to manage neutral blood pressure. Calcium content also regulates blood pressure for people who are suffering from chronic low blood pressure.
What are the side effects of American cheese?
- Increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases
American cheese is comparatively high in saturated fat. Foods that are high in saturated fat lead to high cholesterol. It ultimately results in cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Systematic reviews show that cheeses that are high in saturated fat lead to forming of plaque in the arteries.
- Increasing risk of high blood pressure
The high amount of added salt results in high blood pressure. The salt contains in American cheese is almost high than in seawater. High sodium in the cheese may cause atherosclerosis. People with high cholesterol do not take such high-fat cheeses. They can use the least cholesterol cheeses for heart health.
How to eat American cheese?
People are using this delicious cheese in different ways. It is not used for particular food items. However, it is traditionally used to add in sandwiches and burgers. It can be paired well with bread items. The melting tastes make the cheese a perfect combo for sandwiches and burgers. In addition, it is widely used in mac and cheese, soups and stews, ramen noodles, and pasta dishes, and eaten with omelets and scrambled eggs.
How can you keep American Cheese?
You can store American cheese in a refrigerator. If it is sliced, it should be wrapped properly and keep it in the refrigerator. Make sure that the cheese should be stored in an airtight manner. The fresh American cheese should last for 2-3 weeks in the fridge.
Conclusion
Regular use of American cheese is not good for your health. Sodium and high saturated fat bring several health issues.
American cheese is packed with essential nutrients. Take these nutrients from other foods. Because it has more negative sides than positive. The high salt content in American cheese can easily influence the blood pressure level. Therefore, the Occasional use of American cheese is a wise decision.
