Cheese is delightful, commonly consumed, and plays an important role in the cultures and cuisines of many countries. But the question is, is cheese good for your diet?
It's no secret that cheese is one of our favorite foods. I mean, who can ever resist that creamy, salty, and gooey melted (or even unmelted) cheese? Not me!
But if you've recently been conscious of your diet and have plans to eat more healthy and organic foods, you might be a little concerned about cheese. Is cheese bad for your diet? Is it okay to indulge in a little cheese food tasting, or do we need to ban it from our diet? Well, we've got the answers for you. Read along.
Is cheese good for a healthy diet?
Is cheese good for you? Well, we all know that cheese makes everything taste better. However, this delicious food happens to also contain valuable nutrients like calcium. And not just that, it is also rich in linoleic acids, which promote artery health and even reduce body fat.
People may be concerned about adding cheese to their diet since it is high in sodium, fat, and calories. But research has concluded that eating cheese can prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and even aid in weight loss.
But if you're a little unsure which cheese to add to your diet, then here are three of them that are ideal cheesy treats, and yes, they're healthy!
Swiss Cheese
Calories: 111
Protein: 8 grams
Fat: 9 grams
Carbs: less than 1 gram
Sodium: 53 mg—2% of the RDI
Calcium: 25% of the RDI
(Nutritional value calculated based on one ounce of Swiss cheese)
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is typically made from cow's milk. Its signature feature is the holes formed by bacteria during the fermentation process. And since it's less fat and sodium content than other cheeses, it's the best choice for those who are keeping a tab on their fat and salt intake.
Research shows that Swiss cheese also has ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme, which narrows blood vessels and raises the body's blood pressure, which in turn can help lower blood pressure.
Goat Cheese
Calories: 75
Protein: 5 grams
Fat: 6 grams
Carbs: 0 grams
Sodium: 130 mg—6% of the RDI
Calcium: 4% of the RDI
(Nutritional value based on 1 ounce of goat cheese)
A zero-carb cheese? Yes, that's right. Enjoy this soft and tangy cheese made from goat's milk without the guilt of ruining your diet. Goat's milk is lower in lactose compared to cow's milk, so it's easier to digest. It also contains A2 casein, which is less likely to cause digestive issues.
Goat's milk also contains more medium-chain fatty acids, which are rapidly absorbed in the body and less likely to be stored as fat, compared to cow's milk.
Cheddar Cheese
Calories: 115
Protein: 7 grams
Fat: 9 grams
Carbs: 1 gram
Sodium: 180 mg—8% of the RDI
Calcium: 20% of the RDI
(Nutritional value calculated based on 1 ounce of cheddar cheese)
Cheddar cheese may be a household name when it comes to cheese types, but it's also highly recommended if you are conscious of your diet. Aside from being rich in calcium and protein, it is also a good source of vitamin K, which is vital for heart and bone health.
Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't enjoy some gooey, tangy, and creamy cheese with your meals. I hope this short but informative blog can answer the question in your mind: Is cheese good for your diet?