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

American cheese, 18.1 g, is higher in protein than processed cheese, 16.3 g. Processed cheese, 303 calories, is lower in calories than American cheese, 371 calories.

Processed cheese and American cheese are both popular cheese products, but they have distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison will highlight their differences in calories, protein, and other nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Processed Cheese and American Cheese?

Processed cheese is a type of cheese product made from a blend of cheese and other ingredients, often used for its melting properties. It typically has a longer shelf life than natural cheeses. American cheese is a processed cheese product that is known for its mild flavor and smooth texture. It is commonly used in sandwiches and burgers.

Processed Cheese vs American Cheese: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of processed cheese and American cheese, showcasing their nutritional values.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Processed cheese (Velveeta)	American cheese
Calories	303 kcal	371 kcal
Protein	16.3 g	18.1 g
Carbs	9.8 g	3.7 g
Sugar	8.1 g	2.3 g
Fat	22 g	31.8 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	1499 mg	1671 mg

Which Is Better, Processed Cheese or American Cheese?

For weight loss: Processed cheese has 303 calories, which is 68 calories less than American cheese at 371 calories.

For muscle and protein: American cheese contains 18.1 g of protein, which is 1.8 g more than processed cheese at 16.3 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Processed cheese has 9.8 g of carbs and 8.1 g of sugar, while American cheese has only 3.7 g of carbs and 2.3 g of sugar.

How to Track Processed cheese and American cheese Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient content, especially with processed foods. 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 only 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 has more protein?

American cheese has 18.1 g of protein, while processed cheese has 16.3 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Processed cheese has 303 calories, while American cheese has 371 calories.

What is the fat content in processed cheese?

Processed cheese contains 22 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in American cheese?

American cheese has 1671 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in processed cheese?

Processed cheese contains 8.1 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate values for both cheeses?

Processed cheese has 9.8 g of carbs, while American cheese has 3.7 g.

Key Takeaways

• Processed cheese has 303 calories.
• American cheese has 371 calories.
• Processed cheese contains 16.3 g of protein.
• American cheese contains 18.1 g of protein.
• Processed cheese has 9.8 g of carbs.
• American cheese has 3.7 g of carbs.