Quick Answer
One slice of American cheese runs roughly 50 to 105 calories, 4 to 9g fat and 200 to 470mg sodium depending on the brand and slice size. A Kraft Single (21g) is 66 calories and 275mg sodium; a thicker generic deli slice (28g) is 104 calories and 468mg sodium.
- Brands are not interchangeable. Sodium varies by more than 2x per gram across the slices below.
- “Cheese product” is a real FDA category, not marketing. It means less actual cheese and more added milk, whey or water.
- Sodium is the number to watch, not calories. One thick slice is 20% of a day’s limit.
- Versus cheddar: similar calories and fat, but cheddar usually carries less sodium and no added sugar.
Why It’s Labeled a “Cheese Product,” Not a Cheese
Most American cheese sold in the US is a processed cheese blend of natural cheese (often cheddar or colby), milk, whey, emulsifiers and salt. Under FDA labeling rules, a product only qualifies as “pasteurized process cheese” if it is mostly real cheese; blends with more added milk, water or whey are labeled “pasteurized process cheese food” or “cheese product” instead. That is why some packages say “cheese” and others say “cheese product” — it is a real regulatory distinction, not just marketing language, and it roughly tracks how much actual cheese is in the slice.
American Cheese Nutrition by Brand
| Product | Slice size | Calories | Fat | Sodium | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generic deli slice | 28 g | 104 | 8.9 g | 468 mg | 5.1 g |
| Land O’Lakes | 28 g (1 oz) | 90 | 6 g | 300 mg | 6 g |
| Kraft Singles | 21 g | 66 | 4.9 g | 275 mg | 3.6 g |
| McDonald’s slice | 14 g (0.5 oz) | 50 | 4 g | 200 mg | 3 g |
Generic American Cheese Slice (28g)
| Nutrition | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 104 | — |
| Total Fat | 8.9 g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5.1 g | 26% |
| Cholesterol | 28 mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 468 mg | 20% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 0.6 g | — |
| Protein | 5.1 g | — |
| Calcium | — | 29% |
Kraft Singles (21g)
| Nutrition | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 66 | — |
| Total Fat | 4.9 g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.8 g | 14% |
| Cholesterol | 16 mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 275 mg | 11% |
| Sugars | 1.3 g | — |
| Protein | 3.6 g | — |
| Calcium | — | 22% |
McDonald’s American Cheese Slice (0.5 oz)
| Nutrition | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 50 | — |
| Total Fat | 4 g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5 g | 13% |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 200 mg | 9% |
| Protein | 3 g | — |
Land O’Lakes American Cheese (1 oz)
| Nutrition | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 90 | — |
| Total Fat | 6 g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 300 mg | 13% |
| Sugars | 2 g | — |
| Protein | 6 g | — |
| Calcium | 224 mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 216 mg | 5% |
Sodium Is the Number to Watch
The generic deli-style slice carries 468mg of sodium — 20% of a day’s limit in one 28g slice — noticeably more than the Kraft, McDonald’s or Land O’Lakes portions above, partly because serving sizes differ and partly because formulations do. Two or three slices on a sandwich or burger can add 500 to 900mg of sodium before counting the bread, condiments or the patty itself. If you are watching sodium, check the label rather than assuming all American cheese slices are interchangeable — the range across brands here is more than 2x per gram. It stacks quickly with the rest of a fast-food order, as our Burger King nutrition breakdown shows.
How It Compares to Real Cheddar
A typical slice of cheddar (28g) runs about 110 to 115 calories, 9g fat and 175 to 190mg sodium — similar calories and fat to American cheese, but generally less sodium per slice since it is not formulated with the added salt and emulsifiers that give processed cheese its melt and shelf life. Cheddar also has no added sugar, while some American cheese blends carry 1 to 2g per slice from added milk solids. The trade-off is functional rather than nutritional: American cheese melts smoothly and cheddar splits, which is the whole reason processed cheese exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Between about 50 and 105 calories depending on brand and slice thickness. A McDonald’s half-ounce slice is 50 calories, a Kraft Single is 66, a Land O’Lakes ounce slice is 90, and a thicker generic deli slice is about 104.
It depends on the product. Some American cheese is labeled pasteurized process cheese, meaning it is mostly real cheese blended and melted together. Products labeled cheese food or cheese product contain a higher share of added milk, whey or water and less actual cheese. Check the front label to see which one you are buying.
Yes, relative to its size. A single slice can carry 200 to 470mg of sodium depending on the brand, which is a meaningful share of a 2,300mg daily limit for something eaten a slice or two at a time. Stacking multiple slices on a sandwich adds up fast.
Of the slices compared here, the McDonald’s half-ounce slice is lowest in absolute terms at 200mg, though it is also the smallest. Kraft Singles are 275mg for a 21g slice and Land O’Lakes 300mg for a 28g slice. The generic deli slice is highest at 468mg for 28g, which is also the highest per gram.
The two are similar in calories and fat per slice. Cheddar generally has less sodium and no added sugar, since it is not formulated with the emulsifiers and salt that give American cheese its smooth melt. Neither is a health food in large amounts: both are calorie-dense, high-sodium, high-saturated-fat foods best eaten in normal portions.
Related Reading
- Burger King Nutrition Facts — how cheese slices stack with the rest of a burger.
- Cottage Cheese Nutrition — a higher-protein, lower-fat dairy option.
- Whole Milk Nutrition Facts — the dairy fat and calcium comparison.
- Fast Food & Brand Nutrition Facts: The Complete Guide — every brand we have broken down.
Sources
- Brand-published nutrition labels (Kraft, McDonald’s, Land O’Lakes). Slice sizes and formulations differ by brand and change over time.
- FDA standards of identity for pasteurized process cheese, cheese food and cheese product (21 CFR 133.169 to 133.173), which set the labeling categories described above.
- US FDA — Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (basis for all % DV figures on this page). fda.gov
Written and fact-checked by the HealthCoachJP editorial team, following our editorial process. No clinician has reviewed this article. This page is general nutrition information, not medical advice; if you are on a sodium-restricted diet, follow your doctor’s or dietitian’s guidance. Last updated: August 2026.
