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