Why does American cheese get such a bad rap?

Is it really that bad for you?

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Today's Ingredients American cheese gets no respect. With its rubbery texture, unnaturally bright color, and common appearance atop fast-food burgers, it's more or less the quintessential processed food item. There aren't any nutrition publications — no reputable ones, at least — out there promoting the nutritional value of American cheese. But is the stuff really as bad as it's made out to be? Is it really that nutritionally inferior to all those other types of cheese we regard so highly? These are important questions. So we enlisted Mohini Bhakta, a registered dietitian at Healthline, to help us investigate this question for the ages.   • Food to live well: The 9 best foods and drinks to have before bed   • News to know: Can a Mediterranean diet reduce your COVID-19 infection risk?   • Exercises to try: 13 chair exercises that work your whole body Say cheese, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline   Written by Ginger Wojcik September 19, 2024 • 3 min read Let's Ask the Dietitian Q: Why does American cheese get such a bad rap? A: The tl;dr is that although American cheese is more processed than "normal" cheese, it's pretty similar nutritionally to other cheeses. It's high in calcium and protein as well as sodium and saturated fats. Personal opinion definitely goes into this one. For a lot of people, I think the bad rap comes from the notion that American cheese is not really cheese. And technically, that is kind of true! In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-designated title for American cheese is "pasteurized process cheese food." Other types of cheese are made directly from animal milk, but American cheese is actually made from a blend of cheeses that gets melted down and combined with other ingredients, such as emulsifiers. There's at least one study (this one was done on mice, FYI) that suggests these emulsifiers, which keep American cheese from separating when melted, contain additives that may contribute negatively to gut health. However, more research on humans is needed before we know for sure how these additives might affect our health. As with all foods high in sodium and fat, moderation is key! For most people, there's little harm to enjoying American cheese alongside a balanced diet. Mohini Bhakta, Registered Dietitian Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.)     Based on your interests Anxiety Triggers: 11 Common Causes of Anxiety READ ON     Kitchen Kit Well plated, sir!       Ayiaren Wooden Serving Platters Looking for a casual yet elegant serving tray to bust out when guests show up to your house last-minute? Yes, this did happen to me recently, and sadly, no, I did not have a good tray to show off! Hence my enthusiasm for this beautiful and durable acacia tray (which comes in seven different sizes, BTW). The natural wood is a timeless look that will add class to your kitchen instantly. SHOP NOW Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health.       Sustainable Change Save time and eat healthy with 5,000+ Wellos recipes Wellos is a sister brand of Healthline.   Wellos offers curated recipe collections by meal type, dietary preference, and cuisine. Tailor your meals even further with filters for prep time, appliances, and more. GET STARTED the takeout What we're digesting 🩸 Symptoms of preleukemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome. You may not experience any noticeable symptoms, and if you do, they may vary. 🧑‍⚕️ Does Medicare pay for caregivers? Yes ... and no. Here's what to know about at-home healthcare coverage. 🤕 What causes chronic pain? This is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States. 🥗 The ultimate guide to eating healthy. A balanced diet fulfills all your nutritional needs. Thanks for reading, friends! Do you love American cheese? Let us know why at nutritionedition@healthline.com! Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!   This edition was powered by opened-mindedness.

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