Which Type Of Cheese is Better- Mozzarella or American?

While both mozzarella and American are delicious, are they equally nutritious choices? Let me help you find the answer by comparing mozzarella vs American cheese.

I will take you through the difference between American cheese and mozzarella. This comparison will enable you to pick the right option. 

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Before we can answer the question -Is mozzarella healthier than American cheese, we need to understand how they differ. Let’s take a quick look.

*Source: USDA; Quantity defined is 1 ounce (28g)

Let me help you understand these better – 

How is Mozzarella Cheese Vs American Cheese Made? 

The traditional version of mozzarella was made using the milk of water buffaloes. The modern versions, however, use whole cow milk. Rennet and cheese culture are added to milk to make curd cheese. This curd cheese is then heated in water and transformed to get a stringy elastic texture.  

American cheese is a processed cheese made using any one or more of – cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, washed curd cheese, or granular cheese. These cheeses are ground and combined with milk, milk solids, whey, etc. to form a uniform mixture and then given a shape. 

What Kind of Cheese is Mozzarella Cheese Vs American Cheese?

Fresh mozzarella is best categorised as a semi-hard cheese whereas the processed mozzarella can be placed under the semi-hard cheese category. 

American cheese is a processed cheese that can be semi hard or semi soft depending on its base ingredients and the form in which it is sold.

How Does the Taste & texture of Mozzarella Vs American Cheese Differ? 

Fresh mozzarella is white in colour and soft to touch. It has a very delicate and milky flavour. Fresh mozzarella is generally sold in packs or containers that contain brine or whey.  

American cheese is creamy and salty to taste. Compared to fresh mozzarella, it is more firm and is mostly yellow or white in colour. American cheese is generally sold in slices, cubes or  blocks. 

Which Cheese Can You Consume Regularly – Mozzarella or American Cheese?

Fresh mozzarella is considered to be a healthy cheese when compared to many other varieties. Therefore, it can be consumed on a regular basis.  

American cheese is a processed cheese, which although is high in nutrients but also contains high fats and salt (as discussed ahead) Therefore, I suggest enjoy it once in a while. 

Does Mozzarella or American Cheese Have More Calories?

American cheese, as is evident from the table above, has more calories than mozzarella. 

American cheese is usually a combination of different types of cheese and milk and milk proteins. This gives it a high calorie count. 

Mozzarella Cheese Vs American Cheese- Better Suited for a Low Carb Diet?

Mozzarella cheese and American cheese are both low in carbs. Therefore, they are good options for people opting for a low carb- diet. 

If we compare the carbohydrates in both types of cheese, we find that the carbs in american cheese is almost double the amount in mozzarella.

Which Cheese Has a Better Fat Profile – Mozzarella or American Cheese? 

Mozzarella and american cheese both are high in fat content. However, American cheese does have a higher fat level.  

One disadvantage of american cheese is that it has at least 2 times more cholesterol than mozzarella. The high cholesterol level makes it an unhealthy choice. Also, if you are wanting to maintain your weight, American cheese is not a good option. 

Which Type of Cheese Has More Protein – Mozzarella or American?

Cheese is one of the best sources of protein. Since cheese is a product of milk, it contains all essential amino acids (the building blocks of cheese) which makes the protein of high quality.

In comparison to mozzarella, american cheese has slightly lower protein. Therefore, if you have to pick a better protein source between the two, mozzarella is a better choice. 

Better Option for Your Calcium Needs – Mozzarella or American Cheese?

Dairy products like cheese, yogurt are excellent sources of calcium. Therefore, these can be included in your everyday diet to make up for the daily calcium requirements. 

If we compare the calcium levels in mozzarella and american cheese, we find that american cheese is more calcium rich. 

Which Has Lower Sodium Levels – Mozzarella Cheese or American Cheese?

Fresh mozzarella as I discussed earlier is considered to be one of the healthiest. This is because it has very low sodium levels when compared to other types of cheese.  

American cheese on the other hand is very high in sodium. Therefore, it is not suitable for people who are trying to cut down their sodium intake.

Which Has More Vitamins & Minerals – Mozzarella or American Cheese? 

Mozzarella cheese is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains the majority of B vitamins, along with vitamin A, D, E and K. 

American cheese is also high in a lot of vitamins just like mozzarella. In fact some varieties may have more vitamins when compared to mozzarella. Some brands of american cheese are also fortified with vitamin D.

Better Choice for Good Dental & Bone Health – Mozzarella Pizza Cheese?

Mozzarella and American cheese are both high in calcium. Calcium is an important mineral that is needed for strong bones and teeth. 

Apart from the calcium, both types of cheese also contain phosphorus, a mineral needed for the better absorption of  calcium. 

Which is Easier of the Stomach – Mozzarella or American Cheese?

Mozzarella – fresh and packed both are rich in the probiotics – the good bacteria. These bacteria or probiotics aid digestive health. They keep your gut free from infections and aid better absorption of food.  

Since american cheese is high in fat and has low to no good bacteria, they might be difficult to digest for some people. 

What is more Versatile – Mozzarella or Pizza Cheese? 

Mozzarella cheese is not only delicious but is also quite versatile in usage. You can use fresh mozzarella in salads, sandwiches, and recipes including pastas and Pizzas.  

American cheese is specifically made to be used in recipes where the cheese needs to be melted. So, it can be used in burgers, sandwiches, as a topping, etc.  Compared to mozzarella, its use is thus limited. 

Which Cheese Has a Longer Shelf Life – Mozzarella or American?

Fresh mozzarella has to be eaten fresh and can be used up to 6 days when kept refrigerated.  It is to be kept immersed in water or whey. The processed mozzarella has a relatively longer shelf life. 

American cheese has a much longer shelf life than mozzarella. It can be kept refrigerated for up to 6 months in the fridge. However, these dates may vary from brand to brand. So, check the labels before buying

The discussion above clearly shows that despite being rich in may important nutrients, mozzarella is a better choice than american cheese. This however, does not mean that you should never eat american cheese. An occasional slice of american cheese now and then is fine, but always opt for the more nutritious choices. 

I hope this blog made the difference between mozzarella cheese and american cheese clear. If you need any other information, I am happy to help.