Is American cheese keto friendly? Let’s have a look. With around 2 grams of net carbs per slice, it can be incorporated into a keto diet. However, if you want to find a low carb or zero carb alternative to American cheese, we’ve lined up some great options for you.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning that we may earn a small commission if you click through using our link and make a purchase. Please be assured that this will not cost you any extra money. Also, please be assured that we either use the products we recommend personally, or have been recommended by trusted friends who currently use them.
What Is American Cheese?
American cheese became popular when a cheesemaker took all of his leftover cheese and combined them to make what would become American cheese.
It is a type of processed cheese developed in the 1910s made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, whatever is available.
Nutritional Value Of American Cheese
On average, the nutritional value of a single slice of 1 oz cheese would be like the following:
- Carbs: 1.97 g
- Protein: 5.37 g
- Fat: 7.39 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 1.83 g
- Calories: 96
Net Carbs In A Slice Of American Cheese?
To calculate the net carbs, you need to subtract the total fiber from the total carbs.
- Net carbs=Carbs-fiber
In this instance, you would calculate as follows:
- Net carbs (x) = Carbs (1.97) – Fiber (0)
- So 1.97 – 0 = 1.97
This means that one slice of cheese has 1.97 grams of net carbs on average.
Is American Cheese Keto Friendly?
The net carbs in American Cheese are on average 2 grams, while that doesn’t seem substantial, there are so many other options that have as little as 0.2 grams in a single slice.
There are other options that wouldn’t have as many net carbs, but if you’re dying to have that slice of cheese on your burger, count it towards your carb goal and enjoy.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Of course, with dietary needs such as gluten-free or keto friendly have become more available in supermarkets, there will also be brands to make specific products to replicate the one you’re missing. You can buy more keto-friendly American cheese.
One exception is Horizon Organic Organic American Singles. These American cheese slices only have 1 net carb.
There are going to be exceptions to the rule, but the average American slice has 2 net carbs.
Best Keto Alternatives To American Cheese?
American cheese is usually higher in net carbs than some of the alternatives, but there are exceptions.
If you’re interested in eliminating your carb intake from cheese, you’ll be happy to know that goat cheese contains zero carbs.
- Halloumi cheese is no carb.
- Gruyere cheese is also carb-free.
- Swiss cheese is a zero-carb cheese.
- Blue cheese is low carb, cream cheese is low carb and high fat, 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese has less than 0.7 g of carbs, and cheese crisps also have low carbs.
- Mozerella is also low carb at 1 g per ounce.
- Brie has a low carb average of 0.1 g and a high-fat content per ounce.
While American cheese isn’t the best option for someone on a keto diet, there are worse alternatives.
Ricotta cheese has 9 g of carbs in ½ cup. Cottage cheese has 4.5 g of carbs in ½ cup serving on average.
Summary: Is American Cheese Keto Friendly?
In short, yes American cheese is keto friendly, however, at 2 grams of net carbs per slice, you may want to limit your intake of this. However, if the carb count of this cheese puts you off, we have some fantastic low and no carb alternatives available for you.
