Nutrition Information For Sliced Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Sharp cheddar cheese originated in the tiny village of Cheddar, which is located in the Somerset region of England. The sharp flavor of the cheese is due to the fact that the cheese has been aged between three months and five years. The longer the aging process, the sharper the cheese. In moderate doses, a slice of sharp cheddar cheese provides vitamins and minerals to complement a nutritious diet. The USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory states that a slice of sharp cheddar cheese weighing 1 ounce contains approximately 110 calories.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients consist of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, but the primary macronutrients in sharp cheddar cheese are protein and fat. A slice has approximately 7 grams of protein, 9.4 grams of fat and almost no carbohydrate. According to the Institute of Medicine, the average adult requires a daily intake of between 46 grams and 56 grams of protein, as well as between 20 grams and 35 grams of fat.

Vitamins

A slice of sharp cheddar cheese is most abundant in vitamins A and B-12, as it contains 74 micrograms of vitamin A and 0.24 micrograms of vitamin B-12. The Institute of Medicine recommends that the average adult ingest 3,000 micrograms of vitamin A and 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 daily. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports healthy eyes, and vitamin B-12 is vital for the production of red blood cells and energy metabolism.

Minerals

A 1-ounce slice of sharp cheddar cheese contains 204 milligrams of calcium, a mineral that is essential for strong bones and teeth, as well as for muscle contraction and the prevention of blood clots. The average adult requires a daily intake of 1,000 milligrams of calcium. A slice of cheddar cheese also provides approximately 7 percent of the RDA of sodium, a mineral that controls the distribution of fluids and regulates blood pressure. Additional minerals found in cheddar cheese, in less significant amounts, include zinc, magnesium and fluoride.

Considerations

Although sharp cheddar cheese offers nutritional value, a 1-ounce serving also provides nearly 6 grams of saturated fat. The USDA 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that adults restrict their saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of the total calories. On a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, that equates to 22 grams of saturated fat. Excessive consumption of saturated fat has been linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.