Babybel Original Semisoft Cheese: 5g Protein per Wheel, Labelgrade B
Labelgrade: B 79 / 100 — Three-ingredient cheese (pasteurized cultured milk, salt, microbial enzymes) with strong protein density per 100 g (24 g) and zero sugar. Higher fat-to-protein ratio than string cheese (mozzarella) because Babybel is closer to a Dutch-style semi-hard cheese. The sodium load (760 mg per 100 g) is high but typical for cured cheese; per-wheel sodium (160 mg) is moderate.
Quick Facts
Per serving · 1 wheel (21 g)
The short answer
Mini Babybel Original delivers 5 g of protein and 70 calories per 21 g wheel (USDA FDC 1869803) — about 24 g of protein per 100 g, tied with string cheese for the densest mass-market portable cheese on the US market. The 3-ingredient formulation (pasteurized cultured milk, salt, microbial enzymes) is genuinely clean. The Labelgrade is B (79 / 100): strong on protein density and ingredient simplicity, zero sugar, dinged on sodium load.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | A- | 86 / 100 | 24 g of protein per 100 g — tied with string cheese for densest portable cheese |
| Ingredient quality | B+ | 82 / 100 | Three ingredients: pasteurized cultured milk, salt, microbial enzymes (non-animal rennet). About as clean as packaged cheese gets |
| Sugar load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0 g sugar — perfect |
| Sodium load | D | 50 / 100 | 760 mg per 100 g — high. Per single wheel (160 mg) it’s moderate; eating multiple wheels stacks the sodium quickly |
| Fiber | F | 30 / 100 | 0 g, expected for cheese |
| Overall | B | 79 / 100 | One of the cleanest portable cheese snacks on the US market. Per-wheel portion keeps sodium and calorie load reasonable; 1-2 wheels as a snack is well-formulated |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per 100 g | Calories per 100 g | Sodium per 100 g | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babybel Mini Original (this product) | 24 g | 333 | 760 mg | 3 |
| Kraft Mozzarella String Cheese | 25 g | 250 | 750 mg | 5 |
| Sargento Mozzarella String Cheese | 25 g | 292 | ~670 mg | 4 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast | 31 g | 165 | ~75 mg | 1 |
Babybel and string cheese sit at the top of the portable-cheese category for protein density. Babybel’s edge: shorter ingredient list (3 vs 4-5). String cheese’s edge: lower fat-to-protein ratio (more lean protein per calorie). Choose by texture preference and per-piece serving size — Babybel wheels (21 g) are smaller than string cheese sticks (24 g).
Whole-food equivalent
One Babybel mini wheel (5 g protein) equals roughly:
- 16 g of cooked chicken breast (a small bite)
- About 1 large egg’s worth of protein (6 g)
- 28 g of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt (about 1.5 tablespoons)
The advantage over chicken or yogurt is shelf-stability (unopened wheels keep at room temperature for weeks) and zero prep.
Scope
This page covers Babybel Original Semisoft Cheese (mini format) in the 7.5 oz / 213 g multi-pack (UPC 041757059200, USDA FDC 1869803). Babybel sells multiple flavors (white cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, plus a plant-based vegan line), several pack sizes (4-count, 6-count, 12-count, party size 14-count), and a “Babybel Light” version with reduced fat. Per-wheel protein is consistent across the dairy line at 5 g; calories vary slightly with fat content. Always check the actual package label.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Pasteurized cultured milk, salt, microbial enzymes.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 wheel (21 g)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Protein | 5g |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 160mg |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Calcium | 150mg |
Where to buy
The links below are affiliate links — buying through them may earn Labelgrade a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. The Labelgrade score is not affected by affiliate relationships — see methodology.
Search links are convenience links that may not land on the exact product variant we covered. Always verify the package label (size, UPC) before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a Babybel mini wheel?
5 grams of protein per 21 g wheel (USDA FDC 1869803). The 7.5 oz multi-pack contains 12 wheels (60 g of protein total).
How many calories per wheel?
70 calories per wheel — higher than string cheese (60 cal per 24g Kraft stick) because Babybel has more fat (mozzarella is leaner than Dutch-style cheese).
What's in a Babybel?
Three ingredients: pasteurized cultured milk, salt, and microbial enzymes (non-animal rennet). About as clean as a packaged cheese gets.
How does Babybel compare to string cheese?
Babybel has slightly less protein per piece (5 g vs 6 g for Kraft or Sargento string cheese) and higher fat (6 g vs 3.5-4.5 g). Calories are similar. Texture and flavor are different — Babybel is a Dutch-style semi-soft, string cheese is mozzarella. Per 100 g, Babybel has 24 g protein vs string cheese's 25 g (essentially tied).
Is Babybel keto-friendly?
Yes. 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 6 g fat, 5 g protein per wheel fits all ketogenic protocols.
Are the wheels really individually wrapped in wax?
Yes — the red wax shell is the iconic Babybel packaging. The wax is food-grade paraffin and is not edible (some people think it is).
What about the sodium?
160 mg per wheel is about 7% of the FDA daily limit, comparable to a slice of bread. Per 100 g (760 mg) it's high, but the per-wheel portion is small enough that 1-2 wheels is a moderate sodium addition to most days.
Is it 'high in protein' under FDA rules?
Per wheel, 5 g of protein is 10% of the 50 g Daily Value — meeting the threshold for 'good source of protein.' Two wheels qualify for the 'high in protein' claim at 10 g.
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Sources
- USDA · ID 1869803 · accessed 2026-05-27
- MANUFACTURER · accessed 2026-05-27
Last verified: 2026-05-27