Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and protein, but not all cheeses are created equal. You should be warned that some cheeses are high in sodium and saturated fats.
Too much saturated fat in your diet can cause cholesterol to build up in your arteries and leads to risk of heart disease or even stroke.
Research shows that some dairy fat in cheese can be dangerous for LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Additionally, regular-fat cheese did not increase total or LDL cholesterol, blood glucose, CRP (a major marker of inflammation), or waist circumference more than its low-fat counterpart.
When choosing cheese, consider the saturated fat, calorie, protein, sodium, and calcium counts they contain.
Here are our healthier cheese choices and why. 5 Healthy Cheeses to Top Off Your Next Meal
1. Swiss Cheese
This cheese is called a semi-hard cheese and is lower in sodium and higher calcium than most cheeses. It also includes high levels of B-12 which helps blood cells, DNA, and nerve health.
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has a delicious, nutty flavor. Yes, you guessed right, it originated from Switzerland from cow's milk. You may notice the unique wholes that Swiss cheese contains, which comes from carbon dioxide being released during the aging process. Cool, huh?
2. Cottage Cheese
The cheese champ of protein! Cottage cheese has up to 15 g of protein per half-cup! Amazing, right? Some cottage cheeses are higher in sodium, pay close attention to the sodium counts when purchasing. Cottage cheese goes well as a side with most any sandwich or meal. Add strawberries, peaches, pineapple, or blueberries.
3. Ricotta
Is as Italian curd cheese. It's made from whey that is left over from producing other cheeses. Ricotta is a healthier cheese choice because it is significantly lower in fat and salt. Smear it on toast, bake it in lasagna, or add it in dips. Fair warning, ricotta is higher in calories so be aware of your serving size!
4. Goat Cheese
Baaaaa. Yes, this cheese comes from goats! It has few calories than cow's cheese. It has more vitamins and minerals too. Goat cheese is packed with vitamin A, vitamin B, riboflavin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Add it to your favorite cheeseballs, sandwiches, pizzas, and on top of salads!
5. Feta Cheese
A little bit of feta goes a long way because it packs a punch of big flavor! Feta is a salty cheese but more mild and less tangy than other cheeses.
Feta cheese tends to have higher sodium and saturated fat levels but contains high calcium and protein. We will caution you to eat it in moderation!
Top off your salads, soups, veggies, and pasta with this tasty, beautiful looking pop of cheese!
Top off your salads, soups, veggies, and pasta with this tasty, beautiful looking pop of cheese!
Choosing your Cheese
Explore, experiment, and read your labels on the cheese that you buy at your local grocery store.
Prepare meals with healthier cheese choices that not only help your waistline but can prevent disease in your future.
We are Curly Girl Fitness we want to support and encourage you and your family to take steps to live a healthier lifestyle! While you are visiting our website, check out our fitness apparel shop with styles you will love and that make perfect gifts!
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