You know that candy bars, hot dogs and frozen dinners are ultra-processed, but how can you tell if the cheese you’re eyeing is? Registered dietitian Theresa Shank, RD, says to check out the ingredients list. In general, Shank says that American cheese tends to have a longer ingredients list than some other types of cheeses, like mozzarella, because of how it’s made, which makes it more processed.
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“American cheese is made of real food ingredients. It is processed in order to allow for a smooth texture, uniform meltability and uniform color. The emulsifier allows for these characteristics,” Amidor says.
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American Cheese Benefits
Amidor says that American cheese contains calcium and protein, two majorly beneficial nutrients. She explains that one slice of Kraft American cheese provides 20% of the recommended amount of calcium, a nutrient many people don't get enough of.
But what about all those scientific studies saying that a diet high in ultra-processed foods causes inflammation? Amidor says that context is key. In other words, what does the rest of your diet look like?
Of course, how much American cheese you’re eating is also important to consider. Shank explains that eating excessive amounts of American cheese can lead to consuming high amounts of saturated fat, and this can cause inflammation. “Cheese is one of the highest contributors of saturated fat in the American diet,” she says.
How To Avoid Inflammation When Eating American Cheese
As long as you don’t eat it excessively, eating American cheese won’t cause inflammation. “The word ultra-processed has been created into a ‘scary’ word in our society, and yet, it is not clearly defined. Eating a food that contributes essential nutrients, especially calcium, which is a nutrient of concern in the American diet, is low in calories and has no added sugar shouldn't be scary. If someone chooses to enjoy American cheese, they absolutely can as part of a balanced, varied eating plan,” Amidor says.
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Sources:
Theresa Shank, RD, Philadelphia-based registered dietitianToby Amidor, RD, owner of Toby Amidor Nutrition and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Healthy Living High Protein CookbookArulselvan, P., Fard, M. T., Tan, W. S., et al. (2016). Role of Antioxidants and Natural Products in Inflammation. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 5276130. doi: 10.1155/2016/5276130Ma, X., Nan, F., Liang, H., et al. (2022). Excessive intake of sugar: An accomplice of inflammation. Frontiers in Immunology. 13:988481. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.988481Adams, J. (2024). The NOVA system can be used to address harmful foods and harmful food systems. PLoS Medicine. 21(11):e1004492. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004492Ciaffi, J., Mancarella, L., Ripamonti, C., et al. (2025). Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Systematic Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Scoping Review.Nutrients. 17(18)3012Anti-Inflammatory Diets. StatPearlsLabonte, M. E., Couture, P., Richard, C., et al. (2013). Impact of dairy products on biomarkers of inflammation: a systematic review of randomized controlled nutritional intervention studies in overweight and obese adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 97(4):706-717Raziani, F., Tholstrup, T., Kristensen, M.D., et al. (2016). High intake of regular-fat cheese compared to reduced-fat cheese does not affect LDL cholesterol or risk markers of the metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 104(4):973-981 Saturated Fat. American Heart AssociationHence then, the article about i m a dietitian here s how to avoid inflammation when eating american cheese was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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