Deli American Cheese: A Keto-Friendly Superfood?

The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate method of eating that encourages high-fat, low-carb foods so the body can use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Deli American cheese is a popular food, but is it keto-friendly? Deli American cheese is keto because it is high in fat and moderately low in carbohydrates. However, it should be consumed in moderation due to its carbohydrate content.

Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices are keto-friendly, but should be consumed in moderation

Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese Slices: Keto-Friendly, But Consume in Moderation

Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices are a tasty addition to a keto diet, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their carbohydrate content. With its creamy texture and delicious taste, these slices make for an ideal treat now and then.

Carbohydrate Content

Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices contain carbohydrates, with one slice providing 1g of net carbs and 1g of total carbs. When consuming multiple slices, it is important to be mindful of the serving size to avoid exceeding the recommended daily net carb limit of 20-30g.

Fat Content

These cheese slices are a good source of fat, which is essential for the keto diet. However, it is recommended that most of your fats come from natural and minimally processed sources, such as virgin olive oil, MCT oil, and grass-fed butter.

Ingredients

Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices are free from non-keto ingredients such as sweeteners, highly refined oils, and harmful food additives. The ingredients list includes milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, water, milkfat, sodium citrate, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, oleoresin paprika (color), annatto (color), and vitamin D3.

Comparison to Other Cheeses

When compared to other cheeses, Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices have a similar carbohydrate content to other American cheese slices, which typically contain 2-4g of carbs per slice. However, it is important to note that not all American cheeses are created equal, and some may have higher carb counts.

In summary, while Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices are keto-friendly, they should be consumed in moderation as part of a well-balanced keto diet. It's important to be mindful of the serving size and to prioritize getting your fats from natural and minimally processed sources.

Deli American cheese typically contains 51% cheese

Deli American cheese is often more expensive than other types of American cheese. It has a firmer texture and a more robust flavour than standard American cheese slices. It is also a popular choice for melted cheese dips, as it has a much lower melting point than cheddar cheese.

Deli American cheese is high in fat and moderately low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for the keto diet. However, it should be consumed in moderation, as it contains a fair amount of carbs. For example, Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese Slices contain 5.26g of net carbs per 100g serving. It is important to limit consumption to avoid exceeding the daily net carb limit of 20-30g.

Deli American cheese is also high in sodium, with around 240-430mg per serving. It often contains salt and preservatives that should be avoided. It is also high on the insulin index, which can cause an insulin spike that is not keto-friendly and will prevent the body from remaining in a state of ketosis.

Cheddar cheese is a keto-friendly alternative to American cheese

Cheddar Cheese: A Keto-Friendly Alternative to American Cheese

American cheese is often highly processed, and keto nutrition experts recommend dieters pay attention to food quality, not just whether it meets their macro goals. A single slice of American cheese contains 65 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of protein. For those on keto sticking to 20 grams of carbs per day, one slice of American cheese accounts for 10% of the total daily carb allotment.

Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is a keto-friendly option. With a perfect balance of acidity and creaminess and a fairly low melting point, it's great for melting atop sandwiches, lettuce-wrapped burgers, low-carb bread, and casseroles. Per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, mild cheddar cheese provides 9 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of carbs, making it a good fit for the keto diet.

Cheddar cheese is also incredibly versatile. It can be melted to make a delicious cheese sauce for dipping, sliced and added to a beet patty to make a cheeseburger, cubed for a cheese board, or grated on a salad. With a range of flavourings and intensities, there is a cheddar cheese to suit all taste preferences.

American cheese is not considered real cheese

While American cheese is a product that contains cheese, it is not considered to be "real cheese". This is because it is a processed cheese product, which means that it is made by blending real cheese with texture- and flavour-altering ingredients.

The process of making American cheese was invented in Switzerland as a way to reduce cheese waste. In 1916, Canadian-American entrepreneur and cheese salesman James Kraft perfected the technique in the US, patented it, and started selling the very first process American cheese.

The process involves melting down chunks of cheddar, colby, and/or Swiss cheese with a liquid and an emulsifying agent, then moulding it into bricks or slices, and packaging it. The emulsifying agent is what gives American cheese its magical property of being able to melt smoothly without splitting into a greasy, clumpy mess.

In the US, the labelling of these foods is defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to FDA regulations, for a food product to be considered a true cheese, it must be more than half cheese, which is technically pressed curds of milk. So each slice of American cheese contains less than 51% curds, which means it doesn't meet the FDA's standard.

However, some people argue that American cheese should still be considered a real cheese. They argue that all cheese is processed and that American cheese is just a more processed version of regular cheese. They also point out that there are different types of American cheese, some of which are more processed than others.

American cheese is high in sodium

While American cheese is keto-friendly due to its high-fat content and moderate level of carbohydrates, it is also high in sodium. A typical serving of American cheese (1 oz/28 g) contains around 240-430 mg of sodium, which is a significant amount. This is in addition to the salt that is often added to American cheese, further increasing its sodium content.

The high sodium levels in American cheese are due in part to the various preservatives and additives used in its production. These preservatives can include sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, and sodium chloride, all of which contribute to the overall sodium content. While sodium is an essential nutrient for the body, helping to maintain fluid balance and support nerve and muscle function, excessive sodium intake has been linked to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals limit their daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg, as this can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, while American cheese can be a part of a keto diet, it should be consumed in moderation due to its high sodium content.

In addition to its high sodium levels, American cheese also contains other questionable ingredients. These can include modified food starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial food coloring, and tartrate, an emulsifier known to cause diarrhea. Some varieties of American cheese also contain trisodium phosphate, a cleaner and stain remover, further increasing the sodium content. Therefore, it is important for consumers to read the ingredient labels and be mindful of the potential health implications of the high sodium and additive content in American cheese.

Frequently asked questions