American Cheese Slices Nutrition Info | Quick Facts

American cheese slices typically pack 60–110 calories, 3–6 g protein, and 200–470 mg sodium per slice, depending on size and brand.

Nutrition Facts For Sliced American Cheese: What To Expect

Slice weight changes the numbers. A light, single-wrapped slice runs about 19–21 grams. A deli slice often lands near 1 ounce. A thick melt pushes past that. The jump in grams explains why one brand lists 50 calories and another lists 100 for what looks similar.

Across brands, macros stay simple: fat leads, protein follows, carbs stay low. Per 1 ounce, you commonly see 5 grams of protein, about 9 grams of fat, and roughly 1 gram of carbs. Calcium is strong, and sodium can climb fast.

Common Slice Sizes And Typical Nutrition

Slice Type	Calories	Sodium (mg)
Single-wrapped (19–21 g)	50–60	200–250
Deli cut (25–28 g)	70–90	250–330
Thick melt (30–32 g)	95–110	350–470

Numbers vary by recipe and moisture. Process cheese uses real cheese blended with dairy and emulsifiers, which shapes melt and salt levels. For a label-based reference, see the American cheese entry that summarizes typical macros per 1 ounce from lab data.

Sodium deserves a quick read on every package. The FDA sets the Daily Value for sodium at less than 2,300 milligrams per day; a single slice can reach 9–21% DV depending on thickness. The agency explains how to use %DV on labels here: Daily Value basics.

Calories, Protein, Fat, And Carbs Per Slice

Think in two pieces: per-slice and per-ounce. Brands that sell thin singles post about 50–60 calories per slice with 3 grams of protein and 3–4 grams of fat. Deli or thicker slices often show 70–110 calories, roughly 4–6 grams of protein, and 6–9 grams of fat. Carbs land near 1–2 grams, mostly from lactose.

That range lines up with national databases and brand sheets. It also mirrors the taste experience: more fat and more cheese mass deliver a richer melt and higher energy.

What Drives The Differences?

Moisture sets density. A wetter slice weighs more for the same size and can look light on the plate while still packing extra grams. Salt and emulsifiers affect melt and shelf life. The cheese base—Colby, cheddar, or a blend—nudges color and flavor but not the overall macro pattern.

Label Tips That Save Guesswork

Check serving size in grams first. Then scan calories, protein, and percent DV for sodium. If the label lists 1 slice as 19 grams, you’re looking at the leaner end. If the line reads 28–32 grams, you’re in the heavier tier. Use that cue when swapping brands in recipes.

Sodium, Calcium, And Lactose Notes

Sodium per slice can swing. Thin singles hover near 200–250 milligrams. Thicker cuts can run 300–470 milligrams. That matters if sandwiches or burgers stack two or three slices at once.

Calcium is a bright spot. A 1-ounce portion often lands near 15–25% DV of calcium. That helps build a sandwich that pulls its weight nutritionally when paired with whole-grain bread and crisp veg.

Lactose content is modest per slice. Many people who limit lactose still tolerate one piece in a meal. Tolerance is personal, so test your own comfort with small portions.

How One Slice Fits In Meals

A burger with one deli slice gains about 80–100 calories and 4–6 grams of protein. A grilled cheese with two wrapped singles adds roughly 100–120 calories. Breakfast sandwiches often use a thin slice to keep the count lower while still landing that classic melt.

To keep salt in check, pair cheese with fresh fillings and choose breads that aren’t already high in sodium. Season with pepper, herbs, or a squeeze of lemon instead of extra salt. Small swaps keep flavor up while holding the numbers steady.

Picking A Slice For Your Goal

If You Want Fewer Calories

Grab thin singles and stick to one piece per sandwich. Add tomatoes and greens for volume and bite. Toast boosts perceived richness without extra cheese.

If You Want More Protein

Go for 1 ounce cuts. One hearty slice adds roughly 5 grams of protein. Combine with turkey or egg to build a balanced plate.

If You Want A Big Melt

Choose thick deli slices and use one. The melt spreads across the bread, which often removes the urge to double up.

How It Compares To Other Cheese

Per 1 Ounce: Common Cheese Benchmarks

Cheese	Calories	Sodium (mg)
American (processed)	95–105	300–470
Cheddar	110–115	170–200
Swiss	105–110	50–80
Mozzarella (part-skim)	80–90	150–200

Those ranges match published references and show why sandwiches can swing in sodium. Processed styles lean saltier, while Swiss stays low. If salt is your limiter, choose breads and condiments with less sodium and consider milder cheeses for part of the stack.

Buying And Storing Slices

Reading The Case At The Deli

Ask for 1 ounce cuts if you track macros. Many counters can print nutrition per slice or per 100 grams. If not, weigh a few at home once and you’ll have a solid estimate for your store.

Wrapped Singles At Home

Singles last longer due to the packaging and the style of processing. Keep them cold, sealed, and away from fridge doors that swing warm. Once opened, plan to finish the pack within a week or two for peak taste.

Freezing And Thawing

Freezing works in a pinch. Texture softens, but melts stay fine. Freeze flat in a zip bag, press out the air, and thaw in the fridge overnight. Use straight on hot food for best results.

Cooking Tips That Stretch Flavor

Grilled Cheese That Feels Rich With Less

Toast the inner sides of the bread first. Layer one slice with a smear of Dijon or a slice of ripe tomato. The sharpness lifts flavor, so one piece feels ample.

Smash Burgers Without Stacking Slices

Press thin patties for fast browning, then drape one slice over the crust. The fond on the pan adds savory depth, which reduces the urge to double the cheese.

Egg Sandwiches With Balance

Use an English muffin, one slice of cheese, and a fried or scrambled egg. Add pickled onions for snap. You get protein, calcium, and that classic melt without a heavy load.

Method And Sources

Figures in this guide come from laboratory compilations and brand panels. The MyFoodData pages consolidate USDA entries and branded items, including thin 19 g singles and common Kraft-style slices. The FDA page explains how the Daily Value system helps decode percent DV for sodium and other nutrients. These references are linked above for direct review.

If you track macros closely, match grams on your label to the ranges in the tables. That keeps estimates honest when swapping brands or switching from wrapped singles to deli cuts.