If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, then you're likely familiar with finely shredded Mexican cheese, which is used in numerous dishes ranging from tacos to quesadillas. But have you ever wondered about the nutritional value of this type of cheese? In this article, we'll explore the calories and other nutritional values in 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese, allowing you to make informed dietary choices.

In a 1/4 cup serving of finely shredded Mexican cheese, you'll find around 110 calories, making it a moderate source of energy. The cheese also provides a significant amount of other nutrients, including protein, fat, and calcium, amongst others. However, it's worth noting that the cheese is also relatively high in salt and saturated fat, so should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the nutritional values of finely shredded Mexican Cheese, so you can get a better idea of what you're consuming and how it fits into your diet.

Calories in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

As we mentioned earlier, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese contains around 110 calories. This is a moderate amount of energy and can be easily burned off through regular exercise and movement. However, if you're watching your calorie intake, it's still worth keeping an eye on the portion sizes of dishes that contain this type of cheese, as the calories can quickly add up if you're consuming too much. Overall, though, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese can be a great addition to a balanced diet and is an excellent source of energy, especially for those who lead active lifestyles.

Fat Content in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

Along with calories, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese also contains around 9 grams of fat. This is a significant amount of fat and is equivalent to around 14% of the recommended daily intake of fat for an adult. While fat is essential for the body, too much can lead to health complications such as high cholesterol and obesity, so it's important to moderate your intake of cheese, especially if you're consuming it on a regular basis. However, the fat in finely shredded Mexican cheese is predominantly unsaturated fat, which is considered the healthier form of fat and has been linked to numerous health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease.

Protein in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

Protein is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily processes, including muscle repair and cell growth. In a 1/4 cup serving of finely shredded Mexican cheese, you can expect to find around 7 grams of protein, making it a moderate source of this essential nutrient. Protein is especially important for those who lead active lifestyles, as it helps to repair damaged muscles and promote muscle growth. So, if you're looking to build muscle or improve your athletic performance, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese can be a great addition to your diet. Overall, the protein content in finely shredded Mexican cheese is a significant benefit and is one of the reasons why it's such a popular ingredient in many dishes.

Calcium in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

Calcium is another essential nutrient that's needed for a healthy body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health and can also aid in nerve function and muscle contractions. In a 1/4 cup serving of finely shredded Mexican cheese, you can expect to find around 20% of the recommended daily intake of calcium. This is a significant amount of calcium and makes finely shredded Mexican cheese an excellent option for those who may struggle to get enough calcium from other sources. However, it's worth keeping in mind that the cheese is also high in fat and calories, so should be consumed in moderation. Overall, though, the high calcium content of finely shredded Mexican cheese is a significant benefit and can be especially important for those at risk of osteoporosis or other bone-related conditions.

Salt in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

One of the downsides of finely shredded Mexican cheese is its high salt content. In a 1/4 cup serving, you can expect to find around 15% of the recommended daily intake of salt, making it a significant source of this essential nutrient. While some salt is needed for the body to function correctly, too much can lead to numerous health complications, including high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease. So, it's important to moderate your intake of finely shredded Mexican cheese and other high-salt foods. If you're looking to reduce your salt intake, there are plenty of low-sodium cheese options available that can still provide a good source of flavor and nutrients without the added salt.

Vitamins in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

Along with its other nutritional values, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese also contains a range of essential vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12. Vitamin A is crucial for healthy vision and skin, while vitamin D is needed for healthy bone growth and immune system function. Vitamin B-12 is essential for numerous bodily processes, including nerve function and red blood cell production. So, if you're looking to increase your vitamin intake, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese can be a good source of these essential nutrients, as long as it's consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Carbohydrates in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

In addition to its other nutritional values, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese also contains a small amount of carbohydrates, around 1 gram. This is a relatively low amount of carbs and makes the cheese a good option for those following a low-carb diet. However, it's worth keeping in mind that the cheese is also high in fat and calories, so should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Overall, though, the low-carb content of finely shredded Mexican cheese can make it an excellent addition to many dishes, especially those that are otherwise high in carbohydrates such as tacos or burritos.

Sodium in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

As we mentioned earlier, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese contains a significant amount of salt, around 15% of the recommended daily intake. While some sodium is necessary for the body to function correctly, too much can lead to numerous health complications, including high blood pressure. So, if you're looking to moderate your sodium intake, it's essential to keep an eye on your consumption of high-salt foods, including cheese. If you're looking for a low-sodium option, there are many low-sodium cheese options available that can still provide a good source of flavor and nutrients without the added salt. Overall, though, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese can be a good source of essential nutrients, as long as it's consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Cholesterol in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

Lastly, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese also contains a small amount of cholesterol, around 30mg. While some cholesterol is needed for the body to function correctly, too much can lead to numerous health complications, including an increased risk of heart disease. So, if you're trying to moderate your cholesterol intake, it's important to keep an eye on your consumption of high-cholesterol foods, including cheese. Low-cholesterol cheese options are also available and can be a good alternative if you're looking to reduce your cholesterol intake. Overall, though, 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese can still be a good source of essential nutrients, as long as it's consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Saturated Fat in 1/4 cup of Finely Shredded Mexican Cheese

While we mentioned earlier that the fat content in finely shredded Mexican cheese is predominantly unsaturated fat, it's also worth noting that the cheese does contain a small amount of saturated fat, around 5 grams per 1/4 cup serving. Saturated fat has been linked to numerous health complications, including high cholesterol and heart disease, so it's important to moderate your intake of high-saturated fat foods, whether it be cheese or otherwise. However, the low amount of saturated fat in finely shredded Mexican cheese means that it can still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.