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Friday 11 October 2019

Healthiest Types of Cheese

Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD writes:
"Cheese is a dairy product that comes in hundreds of different textures and flavours.

It’s produced by adding acid or bacteria to milk from various farm animals, then aging or processing the solid parts of the milk.

The nutrition and taste of cheese depend on how it is produced and what milk is used.

Some people are concerned that cheese is high in fat, sodium, and calories. However, cheese is also an excellent source of protein, calcium, and several other nutrients.

Eating cheese may even aid weight loss and help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. That said, some cheeses are healthier than others.

Here are nine of the healthiest types of cheese.



Mozzarella 
Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese with high moisture content. It originated in Italy and is usually made from Italian buffalo or cow’s milk.
Summary: Mozzarella is a soft cheese that’s lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. It also contains probiotics that may boost your immune system.

Blue Cheese 
Blue cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep’s milk that has been cured with cultures from the mold Penicillium. 
Summary: Blue cheese has distinctive blue or grey veins and a tangy taste. Loaded with calcium, it may promote bone health and help prevent osteoporosis.

Feta
Feta is a soft, salty, white cheese originally from Greece. It’s typically made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. Sheep’s milk gives feta a tangy and sharp taste, while goat’s feta is milder.

Summary: Feta is a Greek cheese that’s higher in salt but lower in calories than other cheeses. It may also contain higher amounts of CLA, a fatty acid linked to improved body composition.


Greek salad with feta - more to read here

Cottage Cheese 
Cottage cheese is a soft, white cheese made from the loose curds of cow’s milk. It’s thought to have originated in the United States.
Summary: Cottage cheese is a fresh, clumpy cheese that’s loaded with protein. Adding cottage cheese to your diet can help keep you full and may aid weight loss. 

Ricotta
Ricotta is an Italian cheese made from the watery parts of cow, goat, sheep, or Italian water buffalo milk that are left over from making other cheeses. Ricotta has a creamy texture and is often described as a lighter version of cottage cheese.
Summary: Ricotta is a creamy, white cheese that’s loaded with protein. The high-quality whey found in ricotta may promote muscle growth and help lower blood pressure.

Parmesan 
Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that has a gritty texture and a salty, nutty flavour. It’s made from raw, unpasteurized cow’s milk that’s aged for at least 12 months to kill harmful bacteria and produce a complex flavour.
Summary: Parmesan is a low-lactose cheese that’s high in calcium and phosphorus, which may promote bone health.

Swiss 
As the name suggests, Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland. This semi-hard cheese is normally made from cow’s milk and features a mild, nutty taste. Its signature holes are formed by bacteria that release gases during the fermentation process.
Summary: Swiss cheese has less fat and sodium than most other cheeses and offers compounds that may help lower blood pressure. However, more research is needed.

Cheddar 
Cheddar is a widely popular semi-hard cheese from England. Made from cow’s milk that has been matured for several months, it can be white, off-white, or yellow. The taste of cheddar depends on the variety, ranging from mild to extra sharp (mature).
Summary: Cheddar is rich in vitamin K2, a nutrient that prevents calcium from building up in your arteries and veins. Getting enough K2 may decrease your risk of heart disease.

Cheddar - a classic cheese - read more here

Goat 
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a tangy, soft cheese made from goat’s milk. It’s available in several forms, including spreadable logs, crumbles, and varieties made to resemble Brie. 
Summary: Goat cheese is lower in lactose and contains proteins that may be more easily digested than those in cheeses from cow’s milk.

The Bottom Line 
Cheese is a widely consumed dairy product. Most cheeses are a good source of protein and calcium, and some offer additional health benefits. In particular, certain cheeses may provide nutrients that promote gut health, aid weight loss, improve bone health, and decrease your risk of heart disease. However, as some cheese can be high in sodium and/or fat, it’s still worth keeping an eye on your intake. Overall, cheese can be a nutritious addition to a healthy, balanced diet."





The above words are just a snippet from Lizzie's post, please read it in full here

Regular readers will know that a variety of articles/recipes are within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

29 comments:

Jo said...

I'm not a fan of blue cheese but I do love most other cheeses.

Tom said...

...I'm a cheese fan!

Valerie-Jael said...

I love all cheeses, yummy post! Valerie

Jeanie said...

I adore cheese in just about every one of its forms. You've certainly listed many of my favorites here!

R's Rue said...

Yum.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Good to know.

mxtodis123 said...

I love cheese and really appreciated this information.

Christine said...

thanks for this useful information.

It's me said...

Mmmmmmmm.......I love cheese ....happy weekend love Ria 💕

Elephant's Child said...

I am a big fan of cheese. And struggle to exercise the necessary moderation.

William Kendall said...

Of these, I prefer mozzarella most.

Gloria Baker said...

I love all cheese but mozarella is one of my favorites!!xo

Angela said...

I love all cheeses even if I am lactose intolerant.

Barb said...

I had no idea Ricotta is lower fat than Cottage!

happyone said...

Nice to know something I love is healthy too. Now the trick is just not eat too much of it. :)

This N That said...

Nice to know that there is something healthy that I'm eating..All except goat cheese..I try to pace myself...

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Cheese has often had a bad press about being bad for your arteries etc ... It is for some reason pound per pound more expensive than meat.

There used to be a curd cheese widely available; good for making cheese and spinach pies. Not available so much these days. Quark is the nearest equivalent.

God bless.

Rose said...

This were interesting to read...I have only tried about 4 or 5 of them.

roughterrain crane said...

Thanks for your useful information. I will chose less salty ones.

Sue (this n that) said...

Am addicted to ricotta cheese at the moment.
Nice to read the run-down on all of them Jan, thanks :D)

baili said...

cheddar sounds so popular here around some northern areas where cold is more than here
thank you for great informative post Jan!
blessings!

Ygraine said...

I'm terribly unhealthy when it comes to cheeses...I just adore all the types that are very bad for me!
The higher the fat and salt content, the tastier I find them.
Thank you so much for this really useful information, Jan...think it's time I rethink my choices!

Have a great day.

hugs xxx

Sue said...

Oh I love cheese, not really a fan of blue cheese unless on pizza thought. Have a wonderfull weekend, Sue xx

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I might take issue with the statement cheddar is from England. Lots of excellent cheddar is made in Canada. I regularly buy a local five -year aged cheddar and it is delicious.

Martha said...

I enjoy most on this list. My most recent favourite is goat cheese. So yummy! Hope you are doing well!

Lee said...


Rarely a day goes by I don't have some cheese. I love it! :)

Laurel Wood said...

Great information! My husband eats a lot of Swiss due to the low sodium.

pam nash said...

Great information! Thanks!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I like cheese a lot, it's the reason I couldn't become a vegan