Kamil Perry
Imitation cheese, also known as processed cheese, is a popular food product that differs from natural cheese in terms of ingredients, processing, and health implications. While imitation cheese is designed to mimic the taste, texture, and meltability of natural cheese, it often contains additives, preservatives, and higher levels of salt, raising concerns about its nutritional value and potential health risks. This topic explores the question Is imitation cheese healthy? by examining the composition, production methods, and potential health effects of imitation cheese in comparison with natural cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural cheese vs. imitation cheese | Natural cheese is made from natural and simple products and ingredients, including fresh and natural salts, natural colors, enzymes, and high-quality milk. Imitation cheese is made by blending different natural cheeses and adding preservatives and other artificial ingredients or colorings. |
| Taste | Imitation cheese is designed to taste like regular cheese. |
| Texture | Imitation cheese is designed to melt like regular cheese. |
| Health concerns | The food colorings and artificial ingredients in imitation cheese have been proven to be more harmful to the human body. The high amount of salt in imitation cheese can contribute to high blood pressure. Imitation cheese can lead to increased weight and obesity if consumed regularly due to high amounts of calories. |
| Health benefits | Natural cheese does not contain any chemical preservatives and is entirely healthy for consumption if eaten within limits. |
| Nutritional value | Imitation cheese may contain unhealthy artificial trans fats. |
| Ingredients | Imitation cheese may contain palm oil, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, carrageenan, lactic acid, natural flavor, artificial color, and natamycin. |
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What You'll Learn
Imitation cheese often contains unhealthy fats
Imitation cheese is often highly processed and contains unhealthy fats, as well as other additives and ingredients that can have negative health effects. While natural cheese is made from simple, natural products like milk, enzymes, and salt, imitation cheese is made by melting and blending different natural cheeses, adding preservatives, and incorporating various forms of artificial ingredients.
In addition to unhealthy fats, imitation cheese can also contain high levels of salt, sugar, and processed ingredients. For instance, Kraft Singles have been criticized for their high sodium content and low protein levels. Similarly, Tostitos Salsa Con Queso has been described as having "lots of processed ingredients" in addition to its 40 calories per serving and 280 milligrams of sodium.
The high amount of salt in imitation cheese can contribute to high blood pressure, and the high number of calories can lead to increased weight and obesity if consumed regularly. Furthermore, the additives and artificial ingredients in imitation cheese can be harmful to the human body.
While imitation cheese may be a convenient and tasty option, it is important to be aware of its potential negative health effects. As dietician Abbey Sharp advises, just because a product is low-calorie and fat-free doesn't mean it's healthy. It's crucial to consider the overall nutritional profile and ingredient quality when assessing the healthiness of imitation cheese products.
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Natural cheese is healthier than processed cheese
Natural cheese is made from natural and simple products and ingredients, including fresh and natural salts, natural colours, enzymes, and high-quality milk. It is healthy for consumption if eaten within limits. However, natural cheese has a shorter shelf life and goes bad very quickly.
Processed cheese, on the other hand, is made by blending different natural cheeses and adding preservatives, artificial ingredients, and double the amount of salt used in natural cheese. It has a longer shelf life than natural cheese.
Processed cheese is mainly used in fast foods and can lead to increased weight and obesity if consumed regularly due to its high-calorie content. The high amount of salt in processed cheese can also contribute to high blood pressure. In addition, the food colourings and artificial ingredients in processed cheese have been proven to be harmful to the human body.
Natural cheese, therefore, is healthier than processed cheese. It does not contain any chemical preservatives, artificial ingredients, or high amounts of salt. However, it is important to note that natural cheese should be consumed in moderation, as with any cheese.
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Vegan cheese may be a healthier alternative
While not all vegan cheeses are healthy, some can be a healthier alternative to regular cheese. Vegan cheeses have come a long way and can provide not only the flavour and texture of regular cheese but can also be a better alternative.
Vegan cheeses that are made with a combination of modified food starch and coconut oil provide no useful amount of protein. Coconut oil has been found to elevate "bad cholesterol", and cardiologists recommend limiting its intake for cardiovascular health. However, some vegan cheeses use chickpea powder, pea protein or protein isolates to add protein.
Some vegan cheeses are made with nuts or beans, such as cashews, as the main ingredient. These have healthy fats and are low in saturated fat. They also have a good amount of protein and calcium. For example, Treeline's cheeses are all made from cashews and have low saturated fat. They also have a good amount of protein and calcium and are cultured using probiotic bacteria, which are good for gut health.
Some other vegan cheeses include Misha's Kind Foods, which is made from a blend of cashews, purified water, almonds, vegan cultures, salt, olive oil, and spices. Miyoko's Creamery's cheese products are all Non-GMO, Lactose-Free, Palm Oil Free, Gluten-Free, and Soy Free. They also have flavours such as Smoked Gouda Cultured Plant Milk Cheese and Aged Herbes De Provence Cashew Milk Cheese.
Vegan cheeses can also be creamy and rich due to their fat content, which can help slow down digestion and provide a feeling of fullness for longer. They can also enhance the flavours of nutritious foods such as vegetables and beans, providing more satisfaction from meals and minimising cravings throughout the day.
However, it is important to note that some vegan cheeses contain unhealthy starches and vegetable oils that the body converts to sugar, causing weight gain and bloating. It is also important to check the nutrition facts label and compare different products, as some vegan cheeses may have even more sodium per serving than regular cheese.
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Imitation cheese contains additives and preservatives
Imitation cheese is often highly processed and contains additives and preservatives. While it can be a tasty treat, it is not necessarily healthy.
Imitation cheese is a very different product from natural cheese. It is made by blending different natural cheeses and adding preservatives, artificial ingredients, and colourings. This process requires more steps and ingredients than natural cheese production. One of the key steps in making processed cheese is melting the natural cheese and adding emulsifiers. Emulsifiers like sodium citrate are added to relax the cheese proteins, allowing the cheese to melt without separating and creating the ideal gooey texture.
Processed cheese also contains double the amount of salt as natural cheese. High salt content can contribute to high blood pressure. In addition to salt, imitation cheese often contains other additives and preservatives, such as sodium phosphates, casein, artificial colours, carrageenan, and natamycin. These additives may be of moderate to low concern in food, but their presence indicates a high level of processing and artificial modification.
The ingredients in imitation cheese are chosen to make the flavour more consistent, the texture more meltable, and the appearance more craveable. However, these ingredients often provide little nutritional value. For example, modified starches from corn and potatoes are chemically treated to add bulk to the cheese but offer no nutritional benefits. Similarly, vegetable oils like coconut oil and palm oil are commonly used in vegan cheeses to replicate the texture of dairy cheese, but these oils are high in saturated fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
While imitation cheese may be a convenient and tasty option, it is important to be aware of its high level of processing and the potential health implications of its additives and preservatives.
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Imitation cheese is designed for ideal melting
Natural cheese is made from natural and simple products and ingredients, including fresh and natural salts, natural colours, enzymes, and high-quality milk. It is healthier than imitation cheese, as it does not contain any chemical preservatives to keep it fresh. However, it has a shorter shelf life and goes bad very quickly.
Imitation cheese, on the other hand, is designed for ideal melting. It is made by melting natural cheese, emulsifying, and adding preservatives and other artificial ingredients or colourings. The goal of processed cheese is to be frugal. It is cheaper for the producer, seller, and consumer. It has a longer shelf life than natural cheese.
Imitation cheese contains ingredients such as starch and vegetable oils, which provide texture but little nutritional value. These vegetable oils can contain unhealthy fats, especially when consumed in large amounts. Coconut oil, for example, is composed almost entirely of saturated fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Some imitation cheeses may be healthier than others. For instance, those that use cashew nuts tend to have higher levels of protein and lower levels of sodium and saturated fat. However, they may also be more expensive. It is important for consumers to carefully check the contents of imitation cheese products to minimize the number of harmful ingredients, such as saturated fats.
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Frequently asked questions
Imitation cheese is a type of processed cheese. It is made by blending different natural cheeses and adding preservatives, artificial ingredients, and colourings.
Imitation cheese is generally considered less healthy than natural cheese. The artificial ingredients and food colourings in imitation cheese can be harmful to the human body. The high amount of salt in imitation cheese can also contribute to high blood pressure. However, imitation cheese is usually low in calories and fat.
Some examples of imitation cheese include Kraft Singles, Smart Beat Imitation Pasteurized Process Cheese Food, and Daiya "cheese".
