Is Deli Deluxe American Keto?
Yes, Deli Deluxe American cheese is keto-friendly. For those tracking macros, this cheese slice offers a high-fat, low-carb profile that fits perfectly within the strict limits of a ketogenic diet. Let's dive into the nutritional label and ingredient list to see exactly why this is a safe choice for your low-carb lifestyle.
The Ingredient Breakdown
When evaluating a processed food for the keto diet, we must look beyond the marketing and analyze the chemistry. Kraft's Deli Deluxe American is a pasteurized process cheese, which essentially means it is a blend of real cheese and emulsifying salts designed for meltability and shelf stability. Here is how the ingredients stack up for a keto dieter.
American Cheese (Cheddar, Colby, etc.): The primary ingredient is actual cheese. Dairy is naturally low in carbohydrates, making it a staple for keto. However, dairy does contain lactose (milk sugar), though the processing and aging significantly reduce this.
Sodium Citrate & Calcium Phosphate: These are the emulsifying salts. They allow the cheese to melt smoothly without the oils separating. Crucially, these salts contain zero carbohydrates and do not impact ketosis. They are purely functional additives.
Sorbic Acid & Sunflower Lecithin: Sorbic acid is a preservative used to prevent mold, and sunflower lecithin acts as a surfactant (often used to help the slice separate). Both are generally recognized as safe and contain negligible to zero net carbs. They do not spike insulin.
Colorings (Oleoresin Paprika, Annatto): These are derived from plants to give the cheese its orange hue. They are natural colorants and do not contribute to the carbohydrate count.
Nutritional Value
Looking at the nutrition facts provided, the numbers are very encouraging for a ketogenic approach. A single serving, which is one slice (19g), contains only 70 calories. This is a reasonable calorie count for a fat source.
The most important metric for keto is total carbohydrates. Deli Deluxe American lists <1g of total carbohydrate per slice. This is effectively negligible. Even if you consume two or three slices, you are likely staying under 3-5g of total carbs for that meal, which leaves plenty of room for other vegetables or protein sources throughout the day.
Furthermore, the slice contains 0g of sugar and 0g of dietary fiber. This means the Net Carb count is also effectively zero (Net Carbs = Total Carbs - Fiber). With 6g of total fat and 3g of protein, it provides a decent fat-to-protein ratio, though on keto, you are primarily looking at the lack of carbs as the deciding factor. The sodium content (310mg) is standard for processed cheese and helps replenish electrolytes, which is vital on a low-carb diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Deli Deluxe American contain dairy or gluten?
Is Deli Deluxe American good for weight loss?
Where can I buy Deli Deluxe American?
Is Deli Deluxe American safe for kids?

Pro Tip
Always double-check the label. Manufacturers change ingredients frequently without notice!




