Randy Chandler
Cheese and nuts are a popular snack combination, with the smooth creaminess of cheese contrasting with the crunchy goodness of nuts. While cheese and nuts are a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins, and healthy fats, they are also calorie-dense, which can sabotage diets. Therefore, it is important to watch portion sizes and make leaner choices when snacking on cheese and nuts. For example, feta cheese is less dense than cheddar, and almonds have less fat than other nuts. In addition to portion control, pairing cheese and nuts with fruits or vegetables can make for a healthier snack.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional Value | Cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin K2, phosphorous, sodium, and riboflavin. Nuts are rich in heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytosterols. |
| Health Benefits | Nuts can help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and may help raise HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. |
| Caloric Content | Both cheese and nuts are calorie-dense, so portion size is important. |
| Cholesterol | If you need to watch your cholesterol, cheese is generally considered bad, while almonds are good. |
| Texture | The smooth creaminess of cheese pairs well with the crunchy texture of nuts. |
| Taste | The sweet, buttery taste of cheese complements the salty and savory notes in nuts. |
| Specific Pairings | Walnuts pair well with aged cheeses like cheddar and sheep's milk cheeses. Almonds go well with harder aged cheeses and slices of crisp apple. Pistachios pair well with soft, sweet cheeses like camembert, parmesan, and Brie. Macadamia nuts and red skin peanuts pair well with hard cheeses. |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese and nuts are calorie-dense, so watch your portion sizes
Cheese and nuts are a tasty snack, but they are calorie-dense, so it's important to watch your portion sizes. A 1-ounce cube of cheese contains 120 calories and 10 grams of fat, and it's easy to eat much more than that in one sitting. Cheese is also loaded with artery-clogging saturated fat. If you're watching your cholesterol, cheese is bad, but almonds are good. Almonds have less fat than other nuts, and if you mix them with raisins, you can cut calories by a third.
Some cheeses are less dense than others, so you can eat more for the same number of calories. For example, feta cheese is less dense than cheddar, so 1 ounce of feta has half the calories of 1 ounce of cheddar. Other lower-calorie cheeses include light cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and goat cheese. Low-fat goat cheese has only 45 calories and 3 grams of fat per ounce.
Nuts are generally rich in heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but not all nuts are equal in nutritional value. Some of the highest-protein nuts include peanuts, cashews, almonds, and pistachios. Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, and walnuts are among the highest-fat nuts, while hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, and pine nuts are high in unsaturated fats.
Research has shown that consuming 50 to 100 grams of nuts like almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts five times a week can significantly reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol levels. Eating hazelnuts, pistachios, and walnuts may also help raise "good" HDL cholesterol levels. So, while cheese and nuts are calorie-dense, they can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. Just be mindful of your portion sizes and overall calorie intake.
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Nuts are rich in heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
Cheese and nuts can be a good snack, but it is important to watch your portion sizes. While cheese provides calcium, protein, and other nutrients, it is also calorie-dense. Similarly, nuts are high in monounsaturated fats, which can lower bad cholesterol, but they too are calorie-dense. Therefore, it is important to practice portion control when snacking on cheese and nuts.
Nuts are a nutritious and versatile food that can be enjoyed as a snack or incorporated into recipes. They are rich in heart-healthy fats, which can help to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels and raise "good" HDL cholesterol levels. For example, almonds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts have been found to reduce total cholesterol levels, leading to a lower risk of heart disease. Additionally, nuts are a good source of phytosterols, a group of lipids that may contribute to decreasing LDL levels. Pistachios, pine nuts, and almonds have the highest phytosterol content.
Not only do nuts contain heart-healthy fats, but they are also packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Peanuts, cashews, almonds, and pistachios are among the highest-protein varieties, while macadamias, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, and walnuts are highest in fat. If you are watching your cholesterol levels, unsalted nuts are a better option than salted or flavored ones. However, as with any food, it is important to consume nuts in moderation to reap their potential health benefits.
When it comes to choosing the right nuts to pair with your cheese, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, varying textures can create an interesting contrast. The crunchy texture of nuts complements the creamy smoothness of cheese. Secondly, you can look for either complementary or contrasting flavors. The sweet, buttery taste of cheese goes well with the salty and savory notes in nuts. For example, the salty taste of almonds can pierce through the strong flavor of cheeses like Swiss and Cheddar. On the other hand, softer cheeses can benefit from the bold contrast provided by the delicate textures and crisp crunch of nuts.
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The crunchy texture of nuts complements the creamy texture of cheese
When it comes to snacking, the combination of cheese and nuts can be a delicious and even nutritious option. However, it is important to be mindful of portion sizes as both foods are calorie-dense. The key to a successful pairing lies in the contrast and complement of textures and flavours.
The crunchy texture of nuts perfectly complements the creamy texture of cheese. This contrast in mouthfeel creates a delightful sensory experience. Nuts like cashews have a buttery texture, while hazelnuts offer a bitter crunch. When paired with creamy cheeses, these nuts add a satisfying textural dimension to the snacking experience.
For example, the bold flavour and dense texture of Seriously Sharp cheese are beautifully balanced by the creamy, buttery mouthfeel and mild sweetness of cashews. Similarly, the Lite50 Sharp Cheddar's creamy texture and buttery flavour are enhanced by the savoury taste and smoothness of walnuts. The earthy sweetness of peanuts complements the slightly sweet and tangy Vermont Sharp Cheddar, resulting in a Thai-inspired slaw that's both crunchy and flavourful.
When it comes to softer cheeses, the delicate creaminess pairs well with the crisp crunch of nuts. Pistachios, with their distinctive flavour, are an excellent choice for this type of pairing. Topping dried apricots with chunks of Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar Cheese, drizzling with honey, and sprinkling with chopped pistachios create a chewy, sweet, and tangy bite that's hard to resist. For a more robust option, the salty and savoury notes in almonds can cut through the overwhelming flavour of strong cheeses like Swiss or Cheddar.
In conclusion, the crunchy texture of nuts perfectly complements the creamy texture of cheese, resulting in a delightful contrast that enhances the snacking experience. By exploring different combinations of nuts and cheeses, you can create delicious and satisfying snacks while also benefiting from the nutritional properties of these foods when consumed in moderation.
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Pairing soft cheese with nuts creates a bold contrast
When it comes to creating a snack with soft cheese and nuts, you can craft a bold contrast in flavour and texture. Soft cheeses can tend towards blandness, so the right nuts can add a much-needed crunch and flavour profile to the snack.
Pistachios, for example, have a distinctive flavour that blends well with soft and sweeter cheeses like Camembert, Parmesan, and Brie. The greenish-purple colour of pistachios also creates a pleasing contrast with light-coloured cheeses. The buttery taste of cheese also complements the salty and savoury notes in nuts.
For those with a sweet tooth, walnuts drizzled with honey and served with blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort can be a delicious combination. Walnuts have an earthy flavour and a drier texture that pairs well with aged cheeses like cheddar.
Almonds are another versatile nut that can be paired with soft cheese. Raw and roasted almonds go well with most cheeses, and slivered almonds can add a nice crunch to a soft cheese.
When creating a snack with soft cheese and nuts, it's important to consider the portion sizes and the overall balance of your snack. While cheese and nuts can be part of a healthy snack, they are calorie-dense, so moderation is key.
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Nuts can help reduce bad cholesterol levels
Cheese and nuts can be a good snack, depending on your definition of "healthy" and the amount consumed. Nuts, for example, can be beneficial for managing cholesterol levels. While cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin K2, phosphorous, sodium, and riboflavin, it is also calorie-dense, so portion size is important.
Nuts are a type of fruit with a hard outer shell. They are a good source of healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts are also a good source of dietary fiber, which can help improve digestion and lower the risk of heart disease. In addition, nuts have been shown to have a beneficial effect on blood lipids and lipoproteins, specifically decreasing total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Several studies have found that consuming 50 to 100 grams of nuts at least five times per week as part of a heart-healthy diet may significantly lower total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol levels. This effect is more pronounced when the nuts contribute between 10% and 25% of a person's daily energy intake. The specific types of nuts that have been found to be effective in lowering cholesterol include walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts.
The effectiveness of nuts in lowering cholesterol varies depending on the type of nut, preparation methods, and the amount consumed. For example, some nuts, like peanuts and walnuts, contain phytosterols that may inhibit cholesterol absorption. However, moderation is key, as excessive consumption of nuts can lead to increased LDL cholesterol due to their saturated fat content and overall calorie intake. Therefore, it is recommended to include a variety of nuts in the diet to lower low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol, while raising high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or "good" cholesterol.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese and nuts can be a good snack in small doses, but it is important to watch portion sizes as both are calorie-dense.
Some popular combinations include:
- Farmhouse Reserve with pistachios
- Vermont Sharp with peanuts
- Seriously Sharp with cashews
- Lite50 Sharp Cheddar with walnuts
- Blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort with walnuts and honey
- Aged cheddar with macadamia nuts
- Manchego cheese with peanuts
- Swiss or cheddar with almonds
- Gouda or blue cheese with roasted pecans
- Sweet and soft cheeses like Camembert, Parmesan, and Brie with pistachios
Cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin K2, phosphorous, sodium, and riboflavin. Hard cheese contains very little lactose and aged cheeses contain spermidine.
Nuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which can lower bad cholesterol. Almonds and sunflower kernels have less fat and are good for people watching their cholesterol.
Some other healthy snacks include:
- Hummus
- Crackers with fruit
- Canned fish
- Avocado
- Popcorn
- Edamame
- Oats
- Pear slices and ricotta cheese
- Cottage cheese with tropical fruits
- Celery sticks with cream cheese
- Fruit with nuts or yogurt
- Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese
