Kraft singles is an American brand of processed cheese that has been enjoyed by Americans for over 70 years. Grilled cheese using Kraft American cheese slices paired with a hot bowl of tomato soup is a classic comfort meal. Is it something that can be enjoyed by everyone, though? Specifically those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance?
Kraft American Cheese is gluten-free. While it may not be the best choice for those who are lactose intolerant, those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance can safely enjoy it. In the rare case that an ingredient was sourced from wheat, they would state that on the label. The best alternative to Kraft American Cheese is Horizon American Singles.
While a gluten-free diet may seem like a trend right now, it is important that only those with diagnosed celiac disease follow a gluten-free diet because many nutritional deficiencies can develop from the lack of wheat, varieties and derivatives of wheat, rye, barely, brewers yeast, wheat starch, and more.
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Is Kraft American Cheese Healthy?
Kraft American cheese is not healthy. In fact, Kraft American cheese slices are considered one of the worst cheeses for you. The individually wrapped slices are not slices off of a real block of cheese, but formed separately in manufacturing, and they are loaded with unhealthy additives and preservatives that can cause a slew of diseases and ailments.
Aside from all the additives and preservatives, Kraft American cheese slices are loaded with sodium. One single slice has nearly 300 milligrams of sodium! That can do serious damage to your waistline if consumed regularly, along with causing high blood pressure and heart disease.
In addition to the scary amount of sodium in a single slice, Kraft American cheese slices are made with vegetable oils that are loaded with unhealthy fat putting you at risk for clogged arteries and obesity.
Kraft American Cheese Nutrition Facts
The ingredients found in Kraft American cheese are:
- Cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
- Water
- Milkfat
- Sodium citrate
- Calcium phosphate
- Less than 2% salt, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), annatto, and oleoresin paprika
- Sunflower lecithin (added for slice separation)
In a single slice, Kraft American cheese contains:
- Calories: 66
- Total fat: 4.9g
- Cholesterol: 16mg
- Sodium: 275mg
- Total carbs: 1.8g
- Total sugars: 1.3g
- Protein: 3.6g
Choosing The Best Cheese
As you can see, Kraft American cheese is not the healthiest option for you. Cheese, however, can be difficult for people to give up. Luckily, you do not have to. You just need to know what to look for and what to avoid.
What To Avoid:
- Avoid packaged, shredded cheeses. While the pre-shredded cheese you can find at the store may be convenient, it has anti-caking agents added in to keep all those little shreds from sticking together and forming one big clump.
- Avoided powdered cheeses. Items like easy mac that contain a package of powdered cheese in it, although quick and easy to make, is not healthy.
- Avoid “cheese” from a spray can. Need I say more about this one? That stuff cannot even qualify as cheese!
- Avoid low fat or non-fat cheeses. You may think you are making the healthier choose when opting for a low fat or non-fat cheese, but those are actually heavily processed.
What To Look For:
- Instead of reaching for the package of pre-shredded cheese, grab a block of cheese that you can easily shred yourself at home. It does not take long to do and it is much healthier for you than the pre-shredded stuff.
- If you can afford organic, that is always the better option. If not, just buy the block or wedge of cheese with the least amount of ingredients.
- Do not worry about the fat. Healthy fats from real cheese are not the worst thing you can be eating. As long as you are not consuming the entire block of cheese in one sitting, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a piece of cheese on a semi-regular basis.
Alternatives To Kraft American Cheese
Horizon Organic American Slices
Ingredients:
- Cultured pasteurized organic milk
- Organic non-fat milk
- Sodium phosphate
- Salt
- Calcium phosphate
- Sodium citrate
- Organic annatto (color)
- Microbial enzymes (non-animal, rennetless)
- Lactic acid
Here are some important nutritional information to note for this brand:
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 260mg
- Total carbs: 2g
- Total sugars: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Applegate Naturals American-Style Colby Cheese
This creamy, buttery cheese features a hint of cheddar flavor and delivers that gooey stretch you expect in the perfect grilled cheese.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized milk
- Cheese culture
- Salt
- Enzymes (non-animal)
Here are some important nutritional information to note for this brand:
- Calories: 80
- Total fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 130mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Total sugar: 0g
- Protein: 5g
Now that you know what to look for and what to avoid, let’s talk about the best cheese options.
Galbani Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese with a high moisture content. It is originated in Italy, it is usually made from buffalo or cow’s milk, and it is lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses.
Mozzarella also contains bacteria that act as probiotics including strains of lactobacillus casei and lactobacillus fermentum that can improve gut health, promote immunity, and fight inflammation in your body.
The ingredients found in Galbani Mozzarella cheese are:
- Pasteurized skim milk
- Cheese cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Vitamin A palmitate
Here are some important nutrition information for mozzarella cheese:
- Calories: 85
- Total fat: 6g
- Sodium: 176mg
- Total carbs: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Calcium: 14% of your daily intake
Roquefort Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is typically white with blue or grey veins and spots, and it is made from cow, goat, or sheep’s milk that has been cured with cultures from the mold Penicillium. The word mold might make you apprehensive to try blue cheese, but it is actually highly nutritious and boasts more calcium than most other cheeses.
As a result of the high calcium content, blue cheese is optimal for bone health and adding it to your diet can help prevent bone-related health issues. Blue cheese can be a tasty addition on top of burgers, pizza, and salad.
Ingredients:
- Roquefort blue cheese is made entirely from the Lacaune breed of sheep
- Sometimes a small amount of cow’s or goat’s milk is added
Here are some important nutrition information for blue cheese:
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 6g
- Total fat: 8g
- Total carbs: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Calcium: 33% of your daily intake
Note: The mold spores found on blue cheese are sometimes grown on rye or wheat bread, not making it completely gluten-free. However, blue cheese rarely contains more than 20 ppm gluten.
Athenos Traditional Feta
Feta is a soft, salty white cheese that originated in Greece. It is typically made from sheep or goat’s milk. Sheep’s milk gives feta cheese a tangy and sharp taste, while feta cheese made from goat’s milk is milder.
As a result of feta cheese being packaged in brine to preserve its freshness, it can be high in sodium. However, it is typically lower in calories than most other cheeses. Also, feta cheese provides conjugated linoleic acid, which is associated with reduced body fat and improved body composition.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized part-skim milk
- Cheese culture
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Powdered cellulose
- Natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)
Here are some important nutrition information for Athenos Traditional feta cheese:
- Calories: 80
- Protein: 6g
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbs: 1g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Calcium: 10% of your daily intake
Daisy Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a soft, white cheese made from the loose curds of cow’s milk. It is high in protein and low in calories, which often makes it recommended for weight loss. Try it spread on toast, blended into smoothies, added to scrambled eggs, or used as a base for dips.
Cottage cheese is usually gluten-free, but some brands may contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat, so just be sure to check the label before you purchase if you are someone who follows a gluten-free diet.
Ingredients:
- Cultured skim milk
- Cream
- Salt
Here are some important nutrition information for Daisy cottage cheese:
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 12g
- Total fat: 7g
- Total carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Calcium: 10% of your daily intake
Polly-O Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is an Italian cheese made from the watery parts of cow, goat, sheep, or Italian water buffalo milk that are left over from making other cheeses. Ricotta cheese is creamy and often described as a lighter version of cottage cheese.
The protein found in ricotta cheese is whey, which is easily absorbed and can promote muscle growth, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol.
Ricotta cheese goes great in salads, scrambled eggs, pasta, and can even be used as a base for creamy dips.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized milk
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Enzymes
Here are some important nutrition information for Polly-O Ricotta cheese:
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 12g
- Total fat: 12g
- Total carbs: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Calcium: 20% of your daily intake
BelGioioso Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that has a gritty texture and a salty, nutty flavor. It is made from raw, unpasteurized cow’s milk that aged for 12 months or longer to kill harmful bacteria and produce a complex flavor.
Parmesan is also rich in both calcium and phosphorus, which are nutrients that play a key role in bone formation and can promote bone health.
Lastly, because Parmesan cheese ages for such a long time, it is low in lactose and can be tolerated by most people who are lactose intolerant.
Ingredients:
- Cultured milk
- Enzymes
- Salt
- Cellulose
- Natamycin
Here are some important nutrition information for BelGioioso Parmesan cheese:
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 10g
- Total fat: 7g
- Total carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Calcium: 34% of your daily intake
Sargento Swiss Cheese
This semi-hard cheese originated in Switzerland and is made from cow’s milk. Swiss cheese has a mild, nutty taste, and is lower in sodium and fat than most other cheeses. As a result of that, Swiss cheese is recommended for people who need to monitor their salt or fat intake like people with high blood pressure.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized milk
- Cheese culture
- Salt
- Enzymes
Here are some important nutrition information for Sargento Swiss cheese:
- Calories: 111
- Protein: 8g
- Total fat: 9g
- Total carbs: <1g
- Sodium: 53mg
- Calcium: 25% of your daily intake
Final Thoughts
While Kraft American cheese are gluten-free, it is far from the healthiest cheese option you can have.
There is a plethora of other cheeses out there that are both gluten-free and healthy.
Related Questions
Is Kraft American Cheese Vegan?
No, Kraft American cheese is not vegan. In fact, Kraft American cheese is not even vegetarian, as they contain animal enzymes.
Is Kraft American Cheese Kosher?
No, Kraft American cheese is not kosher due to the animal enzyme, Rennet, found in it.
Is Kraft American Cheese Keto?
It is recommended that Kraft American cheese is avoided on the keto diet. While it may meet the macros, it is important to pay attention to the quality of your food.