How Much Fat Difference Is There Between Regular Cheddar Cheese & Low-fat Cheddar?

Cheddar cheese gets its name from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, where this firm, smooth cheese originated. Cheddar, which ranges in flavor from mild to sharp, is ideal on burgers, sandwiches, in cheese sauces and as an appetizer or dessert. The difference in the fat content of regular cheddar and low-fat cheddar is significant.

Fat Content

Original, full-fat cheddar cheese provides approximately 9.4 grams of fat per ounce. Compared to low-fat cheddar cheese -- which provides only 1.98 grams of fat per ounce -- regular cheddar packs an extra 7.42 grams of fat. Because of the difference in fat – which provides 9 calories per gram – low-fat cheddar is also lower in calories, coming in at 49 calories per ounce compared to 114 in the full-fat version.

Saturated Fat

You need some dietary fat, which contributes to hair and skin health and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E and K. Not all fat is the same, however. Cheddar cheese is a source of saturated fat, which can contribute to high cholesterol and increase your risk for heart disease. A considerable difference between the fat content of regular and low-fat cheddar cheese is the amount of saturated fat you get per ounce. The full fat version provides roughly 6 grams of saturated fat per 1-oz. portion, while the low-fat version contributes only 1.2 g. Calories from saturated fat should be limited to no more than 7 percent of overall calories daily.

Flavor Issues

Although low-fat cheddar is the healthier option in terms of fat content, low-fat cheese may be less appealing in terms of texture and flavor. Low-fat cheese is not ideal for melting, for example, but you can still reduce your fat intake when making dishes that call for melted cheddar by opting for the reduced-fat version. Reduced-fat cheddar provides a total of 5 grams of fat per ounce, including 3 grams of saturated fat.

Considerations

The USDA recommends that adults consume the equivalent of 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt daily. For cheese, 1.5 ounces hard cheese or 1/3 cup grated cheese counts as a 1-cup equivalent according to this recommendation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration establishes guidelines for food labels regarding low-fat and reduced-fat claims. For example, for a food – including cheddar cheese – to be labeled low fat, it must provide 3 grams of fat or less per standard serving size.