Which American cheese is lowest in sodium?

January 6, 2026 •

2 min read

According to the FDA, many processed foods like American cheese are notably high in sodium. For those watching their salt intake, it's crucial to identify which American cheese is lowest in sodium to make a healthier choice for sandwiches, burgers, and other meals. While most traditional American cheese contains high levels of sodium, several brands offer reduced-sodium versions that can fit into a heart-healthy diet.

Quick Summary

Several brands offer reduced-sodium American cheese options, significantly lower in salt than standard varieties. Boar's Head and Land O'Lakes are prominent examples, providing flavorful alternatives for those on low-sodium diets. Checking deli counters and reading nutrition labels for specific products is essential to ensure the lowest sodium content.

Key Points

Boar's Head Low Sodium: Boar's Head offers a deli-sliced American cheese with 36% less sodium than standard versions, providing a good low-salt option.
Land O'Lakes Low Sodium: Land O'Lakes' deli-sliced American cheese is labeled as 30% less sodium, a healthy alternative with a sea salt flavor.
Check the Deli Counter: Deli-sliced, reduced-sodium American cheeses from quality brands like Boar's Head often contain less sodium than processed, individually wrapped slices.
Standard American Cheese is High: Most regular American cheese slices, both pre-packaged and processed, are very high in sodium, often exceeding 300 mg per serving.
Swiss and Fresh Mozzarella Alternatives: For the lowest overall sodium, consider natural cheeses like Swiss or fresh mozzarella, which have significantly lower sodium levels per ounce than even reduced-sodium American cheese.
Read All Labels: Always compare the Nutrition Facts labels of different brands to find the option with the lowest sodium count per serving for your specific needs.

Navigating the Deli: Finding Low-Sodium American Cheese

Traditional American cheese, a processed cheese product, is often high in sodium, ranging from 300 to 470 mg per ounce slice. This is a concern for those monitoring sodium intake. Fortunately, reduced-sodium options are available.

Top Contenders for Lowest Sodium American Cheese

Look at the deli counter for lower-sodium American cheese options.

Boar's Head 33% Lower Fat & 36% Lower Sodium American Cheese: This deli cheese contains 300 mg of sodium per ounce, which is 36% less than the USDA standard. It's made from cheddar and comes in white and yellow.

Land O'Lakes 30% Less Sodium American with Sea Salt: Available at deli counters, this option has 30% less sodium and uses sea salt for flavor.

Kraft Singles Low Sodium (Historical): While standard Kraft Singles are high in sodium, lower-sodium versions have been offered. Always check the current nutrition label, as availability varies.

Why Sodium is Added to American Cheese

Sodium in processed cheese serves as a preservative and contributes to texture through emulsifying salts. This is why processed slices generally have higher sodium than natural cheeses.

Other Low-Sodium Cheese Alternatives

Consider natural cheeses for even lower sodium:

Swiss Cheese: Often recommended for its low sodium, some brands have as little as 60 mg per ounce.

Fresh Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella in brine can contain 40 to 85 mg per ounce. Choose the soft, high-moisture type.

Goat Cheese: Many goat cheeses are lower in sodium, some around 80 mg per ounce, but check labels as content varies.

Comparison Table: Sodium Content in Cheeses (per 1 oz serving)


Cheese Type	Brand/Variety	Estimated Sodium (mg)	Notes
American Cheese	Boar's Head 33% Lower Sodium	~300 mg	Deli-sliced, also lower in fat.
American Cheese	Land O'Lakes 30% Less Sodium	~310 mg	Deli-sliced, uses sea salt.
American Cheese	Standard Pasteurized Process	330-470 mg	High sodium content.
Swiss Cheese	Natural Sliced	~60 mg	Naturally low in sodium.
Fresh Mozzarella	In brine	~40-85 mg	Soft, high-moisture cheese.
Goat Cheese	Various	~80-130 mg	Varies by brand, check label.

Tips for Shopping for Low-Sodium Cheese

Read Labels Carefully: Compare the sodium content per serving on Nutrition Facts labels.
Buy from the Deli: Deli-sliced, reduced-sodium options are often lower in sodium than pre-packaged slices.
Ask Your Grocer: Inquire at the deli about low-sodium cheese options.
Consider Natural Cheeses: Explore natural low-sodium cheeses like Swiss or fresh mozzarella for greater sodium reduction.

Conclusion

While standard American cheese is high in sodium, reduced-sodium deli options from brands like Boar's Head and Land O'Lakes are available. Checking the deli and reading labels are key to finding the lowest sodium American cheese. Natural cheeses such as Swiss or fresh mozzarella offer even lower sodium levels. Making informed choices can support a heart-healthy diet.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For additional guidance on managing dietary sodium, the American Heart Association offers valuable resources and recommendations. Read more from the American Heart Association here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boar's Head 33% Lower Fat & 36% Lower Sodium American Cheese is one of the lowest commercially available options, containing 300 mg of sodium per one-ounce serving. Land O'Lakes also offers a 30% Less Sodium American with Sea Salt at the deli counter.

American cheese is a processed cheese product that contains sodium to enhance flavor, extend shelf life, and, most importantly, for emulsifying salts that give it a smooth, meltable texture.

No, individually wrapped processed American cheese slices are typically quite high in sodium, often containing more than 300 mg per slice. For lower sodium options, it is better to look for reduced-sodium deli slices.

Swiss cheese is a great natural, low-sodium alternative, with some varieties containing as little as 60 mg of sodium per ounce. Fresh mozzarella is another excellent option.

Reduced-sodium American cheese is typically found at the deli counter of most major grocery stores. Specific brands like Boar's Head and Land O'Lakes are common, but availability may vary, so check your local store.

Reduced-sodium American cheese is formulated to retain a desirable creamy flavor, though it may be slightly less salty than its standard counterpart. Most people find the taste perfectly suitable for sandwiches and other recipes.

Yes, reduced-sodium American cheese is still a processed cheese product. However, its lower sodium content makes it a more heart-healthy choice compared to standard varieties.