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

String cheese has 280 calories and 24 g of protein, while cheddar has 408 calories and 23.3 g of protein. String cheese is lower in calories and higher in protein.

String cheese and cheddar are popular cheese varieties, each with unique nutritional benefits. This comparison highlights their key nutritional differences per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between String Cheese and Cheddar?

String cheese is a type of mozzarella cheese that is traditionally pulled and stretched, creating a stringy texture. It is often sold in individual portions, making it a convenient snack. Cheddar is a hard cheese originating from England, known for its rich flavor and firm texture. It comes in various aging profiles, affecting its taste and sharpness.

String Cheese vs Cheddar: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a detailed side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of string cheese and cheddar.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	String cheese	Cheddar cheese
Calories	280 kcal	408 kcal
Protein	24 g	23.3 g
Carbs	2.7 g	2.4 g
Sugar	0.8 g	0.5 g
Fat	18 g	34 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	700 mg	654 mg

Which Is Better, String Cheese or Cheddar?

For weight loss: String cheese contains 280 calories, while cheddar has 408 calories, making string cheese the better option for those focused on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: String cheese offers 24 g of protein compared to cheddar's 23.3 g, making it slightly higher in protein content.

For low-carb or low-sugar: String cheese has 2.7 g of carbs and 0.8 g of sugar, while cheddar contains 2.4 g of carbs and 0.5 g of sugar, making both options low in carbs and sugar.

How to Track String cheese and Cheddar Accurately

Portion sizes and macro content can easily be misjudged, especially with cheese products. 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 professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: String cheese from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Cheddar from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which cheese has more protein?

String cheese has 24 g of protein, while cheddar has 23.3 g of protein.

Which cheese has fewer calories?

String cheese has 280 calories, while cheddar has 408 calories.

What is the fat content in string cheese?

String cheese contains 18 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in cheddar?

Cheddar contains 654 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in string cheese?

String cheese has 0.8 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in cheddar?

Cheddar contains 2.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• String cheese has 280 calories per 100 g.
• Cheddar has 408 calories per 100 g.
• String cheese contains 24 g of protein.
• Cheddar contains 23.3 g of protein.
• String cheese has 2.7 g of carbohydrates.
• Cheddar has 2.4 g of carbohydrates.