American Cheese vs Cheddar: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Cheddar has higher protein at 23.3 g compared to American cheese's 18.1 g. American cheese contains fewer calories at 371, while Cheddar has 408.

American cheese and Cheddar are popular cheese varieties with distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison examines their calories, protein, fat, and other nutrients per 100 g.

What Is the Difference Between American Cheese and Cheddar?

American cheese is a processed cheese product known for its smooth texture and mild flavor. It is commonly used in sandwiches and burgers. Cheddar is a firm cheese originating from England, characterized by its rich flavor and varying sharpness. It is widely used in cooking and as a snack.

American Cheese vs Cheddar: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table presents a side-by-side comparison of American cheese and Cheddar, highlighting their nutritional differences.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	American cheese	Cheddar cheese
Calories	371 kcal	408 kcal
Protein	18.1 g	23.3 g
Carbs	3.7 g	2.4 g
Sugar	2.3 g	0.5 g
Fat	31.8 g	34 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	1671 mg	654 mg

Which Is Better, American Cheese or Cheddar?

For weight loss: American cheese has fewer calories at 371 compared to Cheddar's 408, making it a better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Cheddar provides more protein at 23.3 g, whereas American cheese offers 18.1 g, making Cheddar preferable for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: American cheese has 3.7 g of carbs and 2.3 g of sugar, while Cheddar has lower carbs at 2.4 g and sugar at 0.5 g.

How to Track American cheese and Cheddar Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when consuming cheese, as they can be calorie-dense. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which cheese has more protein?

Cheddar has more protein at 23.3 g, while American cheese has 18.1 g.

Which cheese has fewer calories?

American cheese has fewer calories at 371, compared to Cheddar's 408.

What is the fat content in American cheese?

American cheese contains 31.8 g of fat per 100 g.

How much sodium is in Cheddar?

Cheddar contains 654 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in Cheddar?

Cheddar has a sugar content of 0.5 g per 100 g.

How many carbs are in American cheese?

American cheese has 3.7 g of carbs per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• American cheese: 371 calories per 100 g.
• Cheddar: 408 calories per 100 g.
• American cheese: 18.1 g protein per 100 g.
• Cheddar: 23.3 g protein per 100 g.
• American cheese: 31.8 g fat per 100 g.
• Cheddar: 34 g fat per 100 g.