Raising Is string cheese healthy for kids 4–8?
Is string cheese healthy? One Kraft mozzarella string cheese stick (24 g) has 60 calories, 0 g added sugars, 6 g of protein, 0 g of fiber and 180 mg of sodium. That is above the FDA's 5 g "good source" level for protein. Both the AAP and the CDC name string cheese as a choking risk for young children.
String cheese: snack check
- No added sugar
Label: 0 g added sugars (Kraft string cheese) - Not highly processed
Cheese: no NOVA group 4 marker in ingredients - Has protein or fiber
6 g protein per 24 g stick (Kraft label) - Choking risk under 4
AAP and CDC both name string cheese as a choking risk
Each check is a yes-or-no fact with its source: a green check means the flag does not apply, an amber mark means it does. The count is not a health score. Our sources and how we check them.
| Serving | 1 stick (24 g), Kraft mozzarella string cheese |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60 |
| Added sugars | 0 |
| Protein | 6 |
| Fiber | 0 |
| Sodium | 180 |
Numbers: USDA FoodData Central, FDC 2617595 (Kraft Mozzarella String Cheese label, 2023). Checked October 2026.
What's in it
Kraft mozzarella string cheese, 1 stick (24 g): 60 calories, 0 g added sugars, 6 g protein, 0 g fiber, 180 mg sodium (FDC 2617595). Ingredients: pasteurized part-skim milk, vinegar, salt, enzymes, vitamin A palmitate. A 28 g Frigo Cheese Heads stick lists 80 calories, 6 g protein and 200 mg sodium (FDC 2755456).
For kids 4–8
The AAP lists "chunks of cheese or string cheese" among foods to keep from children until 4 or older, depending on development; the CDC lists large chunks of cheese, "especially string cheese." Peel it into thin strings or cut it into small pieces, and serve it with the child seated. Cheese contains milk, a major allergen.
Swaps and pairings
String cheese has protein but no fiber, so pair it with a fiber food: whole-grain crackers, soft pear slices, or berries. Shredded or thinly sliced mozzarella works the same way for younger kids.
Store-bought vs homemade
String cheese is cheese: milk, cultures or vinegar, salt and enzymes. That is a processed food under NOVA (group 3), not an ultra-processed one. Flavored or snack-pack versions sold with crackers or dips have their own labels.
FAQ
Is string cheese a choking hazard?
Yes, per both lists: the AAP names "chunks of cheese or string cheese," and the CDC names large chunks of cheese, "especially string cheese." Peel it into thin strings or cut it small.
How much protein is in string cheese?
6 g per stick for both Kraft (24 g) and Frigo Cheese Heads (28 g), per their labels in USDA FoodData Central.
Is string cheese processed?
It is cheese, which NOVA classes as a processed food (group 3). The Kraft ingredient list has no NOVA group 4 additive such as flavors, colors or emulsifiers.
Why you can trust this page: every number and flag links to its source, a separate reviewer checks each page before it goes live, and the date shows when we last checked. Sources and method · Report an error
Facts for parents, not medical or nutrition advice. Ask your pediatrician about allergies or your child's needs.
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