Different Types of Cheese & Their Health Benefits
Is it OK to eat cheese every day?
Many people claim to be unable to live without cheese, despite the fact that it has been linked to obesity and heart disease. Cheddar is, after all, a complete meal. In this post, we'll provide you with all the information you need to make healthy cheese choices. Cheese is strewn throughout the place. It's delicious melted on pizza, sandwiched, or sprinkled on salads. Cheese, on the other hand, has a reputation as a high-fat dish.
While cheese is high in fat, it also provides some unexpected health benefits. Cheese is a whole food, which means it's as natural as possible and requires little to no preparation. The nutrients you obtain from cheese are highly dependent on the type and amount of cheese you consume. Because they may include additives and have a high sodium level, highly processed kinds should be avoided.
The fat content of whole-milk cheese varies between 6 and 10 grammes (g) per 1-ounce (28 g) portion. Saturated fat accounts for 4 to 6 grams. 2 per cent milk is used to make low-fat or reduced-fat cheese. Non-fat cheese is manufactured from skim or 0% milk.
Cheeses that have not been aged or ripened are known as fresh cheeses. They often have more moisture, a softer texture, and a milder flavour than matured cheeses. Ricotta, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and mascarpone are some examples.
Aged cheeses have a harder texture and are often aged for 6 months or longer. The flavour becomes more concentrated or intense as the ageing process progresses. Aged cheeses include Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, and Gruyère.
These are shelf-stable items that contain additives like flavour enhancers and emulsifiers. Non-dairy cheeses, such as soy cheese and Daiya, are good for those who avoid dairy products, however, they are heavily processed.
Benefits to your health
Cheese is abundant in zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin, as well as vitamins A and vitamin B-12. The most nutrient-dense cheese is created from the milk of 100 per cent grass-fed animals, which contains omega-3 and vitamins K-2.
Cheese made from the milk of cows raised solely on grass contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K-2, a chemical that our bodies require to coagulate blood.
Conjugated linoleic acid
High-fat cheeses including blue cheese, Brie, and cheddar contain small levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA may help reduce obesity, heart disease, and inflammation. Cheese (and other high-fat dairy products like whole milk and butter) from 100 per cent grass-fed animals have greater CLA levels. According to a review of data on dairy consumption and heart health, not only does dairy fat contain CLA, but full-fat dairy products also appear to provide greater sustenance and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Fermented dairy products like yoghurt and cheese may have an even greater positive impact on heart health. When dairy is pasteurised at high temperatures, various beneficial elements, such as good bacteria and enzymes, are drastically reduced.
Risks
Some people are sensitive to cheese. Lactose-intolerant persons cannot digest lactose because their bodies lack the enzyme needed to break it down. In rare cases, eating too much lactose might cause digestive problems like gas and bloat. Thankfully, some cheeses, such as Parmesan, have a low lactose content. These may be tolerated by lactose intolerance in people.
A low-lactose cheese will not help people who are allergic to casein, one of the major proteins found in milk. Cheese is a calorie-dense food. Depending on the type of cheese you eat, you'll get around 100 calories per ounce.
It's also strong in salt, which makes it easy to overeat and potentially dangerous for people with high blood pressure. Cheese is likewise high in fat, and some experts, but not all, advise limiting saturated fat consumption. Finally, cheese lacks fibre and eating too much-pasteurised dairy might cause constipation.
Information on nutrition
Varied types of cheese have very different nutritional profiles. One ounce of mozzarella, for example, contains 85 calories and 6.3 grams of fat.
Brie has 95 calories per ounce and 7.9 grams of fat, but cheddar has 113 calories and 9 grams of fat per ounce. Choose part-skim mozzarella, Swiss cheese, or feta cheese if you truly want to stick to low-calorie cheeses. If sodium is a concern, try Swiss, which has only 20 mg per ounce.
Harder cheeses should be avoided since they require more salt to age properly. Reduced-sodium versions of your favourite cheeses are also available.
Cheese is an excellent source of protein
While all cheeses are high in protein, low-moisture cheeses are the best choice. Parmesan is the way to go if you want a high-protein cheesy that is the best alternative to cheese. It is the most protein-dense cheese, with 10 grams of protein per ounce. Avoid "wet" cheeses like cottage, ricotta, and other cheese spreads if you're seeking protein. These are low in protein and high in fat. You risk fluid retention and muscle shrinking if you don't eat enough protein.
Protein is not stored in your body. As a result, you should include enough protein in your diet on a regular basis. Most persons may meet their protein requirements by consuming about 2-3 servings of protein-rich meals per day.
Take Away
Cheese is a delicious and nutritious source of several nutrients. Unless you are lactose intolerant or allergic, eating a few crumbles with your salad or sprinkling over vegetables on occasion is unlikely to cause any problems. What's under your cheese and how much you eat can contribute to dangerous cheese consumption. The pizza crust, crackers, tortilla chips, and bread might counteract the benefits of the healthful, whole foods you put on top.