Cheese, fresh, queso fresco
Cheese, fresh, queso fresco is a dairy/egg product at 299 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Vitamin A (RAE), Vitamin B12 and Calcium, providing 90%, 70% and 57% of the Daily Value respectively. This dairy/egg product is a moderate protein source. Dairy products and eggs provide high-quality protein, calcium, and essential vitamins. They are significant dietary sources of vitamin B12, riboflavin, and phosphorus. Our database tracks 77 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, environmental footprint data.
Top Nutrients
Data for 77 of 150 tracked nutrients
Nutrient Fingerprint
How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.
Complete Nutrient Profile
Macronutrients 9
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water SR | 51.4 | g | — | 1% |
| Calories SR | 299 | kcal | — | — |
| Energy (kJ) SR | 1,250 | kj | — | — |
| Protein SR | 18.1 | g | — | 32% |
| Total Fat SR | 23.8 | g | — | — |
| Carbohydrate SR | 3.0 | g | — | 2% |
| Fiber SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Total Sugars SR | 2.3 | g | — | — |
| Ash SR | 3.7 | g | — | — |
Minerals 10
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium SR | 566 | mg | — | 57% |
| Iron SR | 0.20 | mg | — | 2% |
| Magnesium SR | 24.0 | mg | — | 6% |
| Phosphorus SR | 385 | mg | — | 55% |
| Potassium SR | 129 | mg | — | 4% |
| Sodium SR | 751 | mg | — | 50% |
| Zinc SR | 2.6 | mg | — | 24% |
| Copper SR | 0.03 | mg | — | 4% |
| Manganese SR | 0.01 | mg | — | 1% |
| Selenium SR | 19.3 | µg | — | 35% |
Vitamins 34
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (RAE) SR | 806 | µg | — | 90% |
| Vitamin A (IU) SR | 224 | IU | — | — |
| Retinol SR | 221 | µg | — | — |
| Beta-Carotene SR | 41.0 | µg | — | — |
| Alpha-Carotene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR | 2.0 | µg | — | — |
| Lycopene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR | 3.0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin C SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Vitamin D SR | 2.7 | µg | — | 18% |
| Vitamin D (IU) SR | 110 | IU | — | — |
| Vitamin D3 SR | 2.7 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin E SR | 0.37 | mg | — | 2% |
| Beta-Tocopherol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Gamma-Tocopherol SR | 0.04 | mg | — | — |
| Delta-Tocopherol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Alpha-Tocotrienol SR | 0.03 | mg | — | — |
| Beta-Tocotrienol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Gamma-Tocotrienol SR | 0.04 | mg | — | — |
| Delta-Tocotrienol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Vitamin K1 SR | 1.0 | µg | — | 1% |
| Vitamin K1 (dihydro) SR | 3.6 | µg | — | — |
| Thiamin (B1) SR | 0.04 | mg | — | 4% |
| Riboflavin (B2) SR | 0.17 | mg | — | 13% |
| Niacin (B3) SR | 0.03 | mg | — | 0% |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR | 0.36 | mg | — | 7% |
| Vitamin B6 SR | 0.08 | mg | — | 6% |
| Folate SR | 7.0 | µg | — | 2% |
| Folic Acid SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Folate (food) SR | 7.0 | µg | — | — |
| Folate (DFE) SR | 7.0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin B12 SR | 1.7 | µg | — | 70% |
| Choline SR | 12.5 | mg | — | 2% |
| Betaine SR | 3.3 | mg | — | — |
Fatty Acids 9
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturated Fat SR | 12.9 | g | — | — |
| Monounsaturated Fat SR | 6.0 | g | — | — |
| Polyunsaturated Fat SR | 1.1 | g | — | — |
| Trans Fat SR | 0.83 | g | — | — |
| Cholesterol SR | 69.0 | mg | — | — |
| Omega-3 ALA SR | 0.10 | g | — | 6% |
| Omega-3 EPA SR | 0.008 | g | — | — |
| Omega-3 DPA SR | 0.01 | g | — | — |
| Omega-3 DHA SR | 0.003 | g | — | — |
Individual Fatty Acids 12
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butyric Acid (4:0) SR | 0.49 | g | — | — |
| Caproic Acid (6:0) SR | 0.39 | g | — | — |
| Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR | 0.24 | g | — | — |
| Capric Acid (10:0) SR | 0.57 | g | — | — |
| Lauric Acid (12:0) SR | 0.65 | g | — | — |
| Myristic Acid (14:0) SR | 2.1 | g | — | — |
| Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR | 5.6 | g | — | — |
| Stearic Acid (18:0) SR | 2.4 | g | — | — |
| Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR | 0.89 | g | — | 5% |
| Omega-6 LA SR | 0.59 | g | — | — |
| Omega-6 GLA SR | 0.009 | g | — | — |
| Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR | 0.11 | g | — | — |
Nutrient Density Score
The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.
NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.
Nutrient Interactions in This Food
Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.
✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption. Without adequate vitamin D, only 10–15% of dietary calcium is absorbed; with it, absorption rises to 30–40%.
Christakos et al., J Cell Biochem, 2003
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and requires dietary fat for absorption. Adding fat to a meal significantly increases beta-carotene and retinol absorption.
Ribaya-Mercado et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2007
Vitamin D is fat-soluble. Co-consumption with dietary fat increases absorption by up to 50% compared to taking it on an empty stomach.
Dawson-Hughes et al., J Acad Nutr Diet, 2015
Vitamin D enhances intestinal phosphorus absorption and regulates phosphorus homeostasis via parathyroid hormone signalling.
Bergwitz & Jüppner, Annu Rev Med, 2010
Magnesium is required for vitamin D metabolism — it is a cofactor for the enzymes that convert vitamin D to its active form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D).
Uwitonze & Razzaque, J Am Osteopath Assoc, 2018
⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete
Very high calcium intake can reduce magnesium absorption by competing for shared intestinal transport pathways. A calcium:magnesium ratio above 2.6:1 may impair magnesium status.
Rosanoff et al., Nutr Rev, 2012
High calcium intake may modestly reduce zinc absorption, though the effect is smaller than calcium's impact on iron. Phytate amplifies this interaction.
Wood & Zheng, Am J Clin Nutr, 1997
Very high vitamin A (retinol) intake may antagonise vitamin D function by competing for shared nuclear receptor pathways (RXR). The effect occurs mainly at pharmacological doses.
Johansson & Melhus, J Bone Miner Res, 2001
Fatty Acid Profile
Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
How Cooking Changes Nutrients
Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Cheese” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.
Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.
Insulin Response
The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.
Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014
Environmental Impact
Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Cheese” category.
- Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
- System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
- Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
- Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.
Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.
Global Supply: Milk
Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Milk” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.
Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)
+25%Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.
Related Foods in Dairy and Egg Products
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Cheese, fresh, queso fresco?
Cheese, fresh, queso fresco contains 299 kcal per 100 grams, making it a calorie-dense food. The energy comes from 18.1g of protein (24% of calories), 23.8g of fat (72%), and 3.0g of carbohydrates (4%). Fat is the primary energy source.
What is Cheese, fresh, queso fresco most nutritious for?
The standout nutrient in Cheese, fresh, queso fresco is Vitamin A (RAE), providing 806 µg per 100g (90% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Vitamin B12 (70% DV). Our database tracks 77 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Is Cheese, fresh, queso fresco high in protein?
Cheese, fresh, queso fresco provides 18.1g of protein per 100 grams — a moderate amount. Protein contributes 24% of its calories.
How much fiber is in Cheese, fresh, queso fresco?
Cheese, fresh, queso fresco contains no dietary fiber. This is typical for animal-derived food. Pair with plant-based foods to ensure adequate fiber intake.
What is the insulin index of Cheese, fresh, queso fresco?
Cheese, fresh, queso fresco has a moderate insulin response (II: 45) (clinically measured) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). This is a typical insulin response for most mixed foods. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.