Nutrition Diet: Is Sargento cheese 100% real cheese?

October 19, 2025 •

3 min read

Amidst growing consumer awareness about food authenticity, the question, "Is Sargento cheese 100% real cheese?" has become a common point of interest for those concerned with nutrition and their diet. The answer, confirmed by the company itself, is that their natural cheese products are indeed made from 100% real, natural cheese, distinguishing them from other highly processed alternatives.

Quick Summary

Sargento's natural cheese products are made from 100% real, natural cheese, setting them apart from processed cheese foods that rely on emulsifiers and additives. Their manufacturing process, which uses traditional methods, results in a more natural product with a cleaner ingredient list.

Key Points

Sargento's Real Cheese Claim: Sargento confirms its natural cheese products are 100% real cheese, made with traditional methods using milk, cultures, salt, and enzymes.
Natural vs. Processed: Real cheese is a natural product, while processed cheese is a blended, heated product containing emulsifiers and additives.
Sargento's Clean Ingredients: Unlike many competitors, Sargento's natural cheese lines feature a simple, clean ingredient list, free from the additional emulsifiers found in processed alternatives.
Nutritional Value: Real cheese provides valuable protein, calcium, and vitamins, but should be consumed in moderation due to its fat and sodium content.
How to Spot the Difference: Consumers can identify real cheese by reading labels for simple ingredients, observing the texture, and noting how it melts differently than processed cheese.
Healthier Dietary Choice: Choosing real cheese over highly processed cheese foods can be a healthier choice for those focused on a more natural and wholesome nutrition diet.

The Difference Between Natural and Processed Cheese

Understanding the distinction between natural and processed cheese is crucial for a health-conscious nutrition diet. The primary difference lies in the ingredients and the manufacturing process. Natural cheese is a traditional dairy product, while processed cheese involves additional steps and ingredients that alter its composition.

What Makes Cheese 'Real'?

Real, or natural, cheese is made using a time-honored process involving just a few key ingredients: milk, salt, cheese culture (bacteria), and enzymes (rennet). This mixture is ripened over time, allowing for a complex flavor and texture to develop. The final product contains no artificial emulsifiers, preservatives, or other additives commonly found in processed versions. For instance, a natural cheddar will consist of just milk, cultures, salt, and enzymes.

How Processed Cheese is Made

Processed cheese, in contrast, is created by blending different natural cheeses with emulsifying salts, extra dairy ingredients (like whey or milk protein concentrate), and other additives. This mixture is heated and stirred until it forms a smooth, homogeneous, melted product that is then reformed. The result is a consistent, longer-lasting, and easily meltable product, but its flavor is often less complex.

The Sargento Promise: 100% Real, Natural Cheese

Sargento is one of the leading brands emphasizing their commitment to 100% real, natural cheese. They achieve this by adhering to traditional cheesemaking methods rather than creating a processed product. This is confirmed by their ingredient lists, which prominently feature milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes.

This commitment is particularly notable in their Natural American Cheese. While most American cheese singles are highly processed cheese foods containing numerous ingredients, Sargento's Natural American is made with only five ingredients, showcasing a stark contrast.

Nutritional Considerations for Your Diet

Including real cheese, like Sargento's natural varieties, in a balanced diet offers several nutritional benefits. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein and a primary source of calcium for many Americans. Cheese also provides valuable vitamins A and B12, along with other essential minerals like zinc.

However, it's important to be mindful of its fat and sodium content. While some fats in cheese, like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), may offer health benefits, the overall saturated fat and sodium levels mean moderation is key, especially for those monitoring blood pressure or heart health.

Tips for Identifying Real vs. Processed Cheese:

Read the Label: Real cheese labels will have a short, simple ingredient list. Processed cheese or "cheese food" will list additives like emulsifiers (e.g., sodium citrate).
Check the Texture: Real cheese, particularly aged varieties, will have a denser or more granular texture. Processed cheese is often uniformly soft and pliable.
Observe the Melt: Real cheese separates into milk solids and oil when heated, while processed cheese melts into a smooth, homogenous sauce due to the emulsifiers.
Consider the Price: Authentic cheese, made with traditional methods and quality ingredients, often costs more than its processed counterparts.

Comparison: Sargento Natural Cheese vs. Processed Cheese Food


Feature	Sargento Natural Cheese	Typical Processed Cheese Food
Ingredients	Milk, cultures, salt, enzymes, sometimes annatto	A blend of cheeses, emulsifiers, milk solids, whey, additives
Manufacturing	Traditional coagulation and ripening process	Natural cheese is ground, mixed, and heated with emulsifiers
Authenticity	100% real, natural cheese	Often required to contain only 51% real cheese
Texture	Varies by type (hard, semi-hard, etc.), often denser or more complex	Uniformly soft, creamy, and consistently pliable
Melt Quality	Can separate into oil and solids; ideal for many dishes	Melts into a smooth, consistent sauce
Nutritional Profile	Higher-quality protein, complex fats, vitamins	Higher sodium, potentially more additives

Making a Healthy Choice for Your Diet

For a balanced nutrition diet, choosing real, natural cheese like Sargento offers a more wholesome option than processed alternatives. By paying attention to labels and understanding what constitutes real cheese, consumers can ensure they are getting more nutritional value without unnecessary additives. Whether snacking, cooking, or enjoying a charcuterie board, selecting real cheese contributes to a more natural and flavor-rich eating experience.

Ultimately, the best approach is to enjoy cheese in moderation as part of a diverse and nutrient-dense eating plan. Pairing it with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help balance the dietary intake of fat and sodium while still reaping the benefits of its protein and calcium content.

For more information on the health benefits of dairy, a resource like the Cleveland Clinic's health portal can provide further insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sargento's natural cheese is made from 100% real milk, cultures, salt, and enzymes using a traditional process. Processed cheese is a blend of cheeses and other ingredients, like emulsifiers, that is heated and mixed.

The typical ingredients for Sargento's natural cheeses include pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes. Some varieties, like cheddar, may also include annatto for natural coloring.

Sargento's Natural American Cheese contains only five ingredients, distinguishing it from many processed American cheese slices that have more additives and are only required to contain 51% real cheese.

While processed cheese contains some nutrients, natural cheese generally has a better nutritional profile with fewer additives and often higher quality fats.

To identify natural cheese, check the ingredient label for a short list of simple, recognizable ingredients. Look for products labeled as 'cheese' rather than 'cheese food' or 'cheese product'.

Real cheese can be part of a healthy diet, providing protein, calcium, and vitamins. However, its overall healthiness depends on moderation and considering its saturated fat and sodium content.

Many natural, aged cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and Monterey Jack are naturally low in lactose and are often tolerated well by individuals with lactose intolerance.