Cheddar vs Mozzarella: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Cheddar and Mozzarella are popular cheeses with distinct nutritional profiles.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Cheddar contains 23.3 g of protein and 408 calories, while Mozzarella has 24.3 g of protein and 254 calories. Mozzarella is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Cheddar and Mozzarella are two widely consumed cheeses, each offering unique flavors and textures. Understanding their nutritional differences can help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Cheddar and Mozzarella?

Cheddar is a hard cheese that originated in England, known for its rich flavor and firm texture. It is commonly used in cooking and as a snack. Mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese that originated in Italy, often used on pizzas and in salads. It has a creamy texture and is known for its melting properties.

Cheddar vs Mozzarella: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Cheddar and Mozzarella, highlighting their nutritional values.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Cheddar cheese Mozzarella (part-skim)
Calories 408 kcal 254 kcal
Protein 23.3 g 24.3 g
Carbs 2.4 g 2.8 g
Sugar 0.5 g 1.1 g
Fat 34 g 15.9 g
Fiber 0 g 0 g
Sodium 654 mg 619 mg

Which Is Better, Cheddar or Mozzarella?

For weight loss: Mozzarella has 254 calories, while Cheddar has 408 calories, making Mozzarella the better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Mozzarella contains 24.3 g of protein compared to Cheddar's 23.3 g, making it slightly better for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Cheddar has 2.4 g of carbs and 0.5 g of sugar, while Mozzarella has 2.8 g of carbs and 1.1 g of sugar, making Cheddar lower in both.

How to Track Cheddar and Mozzarella Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when enjoying cheese, which can impact your dietary goals. 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?

Mozzarella has 24.3 g of protein, while Cheddar has 23.3 g of protein.

Which cheese has fewer calories?

Mozzarella has 254 calories, while Cheddar has 408 calories.

What is the fat content in Cheddar?

Cheddar contains 34 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in Mozzarella?

Mozzarella contains 619 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in Cheddar?

Cheddar has 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in Mozzarella?

Mozzarella contains 2.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Cheddar has 408 calories per 100 g.
  • Mozzarella has 254 calories per 100 g.
  • Cheddar contains 23.3 g of protein.
  • Mozzarella contains 24.3 g of protein.
  • Cheddar has 34 g of fat.
  • Mozzarella has 15.9 g of fat.

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