Analysis of Whey in Cheeze Its White Cheddar Snack Crackers

Whey is a by-product of cheese-making and is found in many dairy products, including Cheeze Its White Cheddar Snack Crackers. It is high in protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. Being a rich source of protein, it can be beneficial in promoting muscle growth, speeding recovery after exercise, and helps to reduce hunger and lose weight. The protein quality in whey is high because it’s a “complete” protein, meaning it contains all essential amino acids. Whey protein also has a high biological value, meaning it is easily and rapidly absorbed into the body. Furthermore, whey protein is a rich source of leucine, a particularly important branched chain amino acid for muscle growth. However, it should be noted that the amounts contained in a portion of Cheeze Its White Cheddar Snack Crackers are quite small, and therefore the health benefits might not be as significant as consuming a higher quantity of whey protein separately. On the downside, some people are allergic or intolerant to whey. Also, while whey protein isn’t unhealthy by itself, the Cheeze Its White Cheddar Snack Crackers contain quite a few other ingredients that provide high caloric value, including processed grain, vegetable oil, and cheese. They are also high in sodium. Therefore, while the addition of whey protein may increase the nutritional profile slightly, the overall product might not be as healthy due to these other ingredients. In terms of a nutritional score (1 being the least nutritious and 10 being the most nutritious), considering that the crackers are high in calories, processed grains and sodium, and only provide a small amount of actual whey protein, a score of 3 seems fair.