Bushra Griffith
Panela cheese is a Hispanic cheese with a high fat content. One ounce of Noche Buena panela cheese contains 90 calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 0% carbs, 69% fat, and 31% protein. While cheese is a good source of protein and calcium, it is also the number one source of saturated fat in the American diet. It is also one of the top sources of sodium and calories.
Is Panela Cheese Healthy?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 calories per ounce |
| Macronutrients | 0% carbs, 69% fat, 31% protein |
| Sodium | High |
| Saturated Fat | High |
| Trans Fat | |
| Sugar | |
| Protein | High |
| Fiber | |
| Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Content | |
| Food Additives | Titanium dioxide |
| Pesticides | None |
| Hormones | rBGH |
| Antibiotics | Used to treat sick animals |
| Contaminants | Mercury, BPA |
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What You'll Learn
Panela cheese is high in calories
While it can be a good source of protein and calcium, panela cheese is high in calories. For example, 1 ounce of Noche Buena panela cheese contains 90 calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 0% carbs, 69% fat, and 31% protein.
Cheese is the number one source of saturated fat and one of the top sources of sodium and calories in the American diet. Therefore, while panela cheese can provide some nutritional benefits, its high-calorie content should be considered when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
Protein, which is found in high amounts in beans, nuts, eggs, seafood, and meat, provides essential amino acids for the body. However, consuming excessive protein can lead to it being stored as fat, contributing to potential health and environmental concerns.
In addition to its calorie content, the processing and additives used in cheese production can also impact its healthiness. For example, the presence of additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and contaminants can affect human health and the environment. Therefore, it is important to consider not only the calorie content but also the overall nutritional profile and processing of panela cheese when assessing its healthiness.
Overall, while panela cheese can offer some nutritional benefits, its high-calorie content and potential processing concerns should be considered when incorporating it into a healthy diet.
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It is also high in saturated fat
While panela cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, it is also high in saturated fat. In fact, cheese is the number one source of saturated fat in the American diet, according to the USDA and DHHS in 2010.
Saturated fat is a type of fat that is usually derived from animal sources, such as dairy and meat. It is known as a "bad" fat, as consuming too much of it can lead to high cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease. The body does require some saturated fat to function properly, but it is important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
As a cheese, panela contains a significant amount of saturated fat. For example, 1 ounce of Noche Buena panela cheese contains 61 calories from fat, which constitutes 69% of its total calories. While the exact amount of saturated fat in panela cheese may vary depending on the brand and the specific product, it is safe to assume that it contributes a substantial portion of the total fat content.
It is worth noting that the impact of saturated fat on health is a subject of ongoing debate in the scientific community. Some recent studies suggest that not all saturated fats have the same effect on the body, and that certain types of saturated fats may have neutral or even beneficial effects on health when consumed in moderation. However, the current consensus still recommends limiting the intake of saturated fat and replacing it with healthier unsaturated fats, such as those found in plant-based sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
In conclusion, while panela cheese offers some nutritional benefits, its high saturated fat content should be considered as part of a balanced diet. It is important to be mindful of the overall amount of saturated fat in one's diet and to consume panela cheese in moderation, especially for individuals with specific health concerns or those trying to lower their cholesterol levels.
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It contains protein
Protein is an essential macronutrient for health. It is a source of amino acids, which are required for the proper growth, maintenance, and repair of body tissues. Protein also provides the building blocks for important enzymes and hormones.
Panela cheese is a good source of protein, with a macronutrient composition of 31% protein, 69% fat, and 0% carbs. This means that for every 1 oz of cheese, roughly one-third of the calories come from protein.
Compared to other sources of protein, such as beans, nuts, eggs, seafood, and meat, cheese may have a higher proportion of fat and calories. Therefore, while panela cheese does provide a good amount of protein, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet to avoid excessive calorie intake and fat consumption.
It is also important to consider the quality of the protein source. In the case of panela cheese, the presence of additives, hormones, and antibiotics may be a concern for some consumers. These substances can have an impact on both human health and the environment.
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It has no processing concerns
Queso panela is a type of cheese that has been classified as having no processing concerns. This means that it is generally a whole food without additives. The product score for queso panela is based on weighted scores for nutrition, ingredient, and processing concerns. Nutrition is the most important factor, followed by ingredient concerns, and then the degree of processing.
The Eat Well Guide helps consumers find locally grown and sustainably produced food. It considers many factors, including the modification of individual ingredients from whole foods and the number of artificial ingredients. Products with no processing concerns, such as queso panela, are typically free of additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and contaminants like mercury and BPA. These contaminants can affect both human health and the environment.
The EWG Food Scores rates more than 80,000 foods in a simple, searchable online format to help people shop smarter and eat healthier. The scores consider calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber, and fruit, vegetable, and nut content to differentiate between healthful and less healthful foods.
Queso panela is a basket cheese that is made from pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and, in some cases, titanium dioxide and cheese cultures. It is a good source of protein, providing the building blocks for important enzymes and hormones. However, when consumed in excess, protein can be stored as fat, so it is important to be mindful of portion sizes.
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It contains pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and in some cases, titanium dioxide
Queso panela is a cheese that is commonly used in Latin American cuisine. It is made from pasteurized milk, which is milk that has been heated to a specific temperature to destroy bacteria and prevent spoilage. This process also gives the cheese a longer shelf life. In addition to pasteurized milk, queso panela contains salt, enzymes, and sometimes titanium dioxide.
Salt is added to cheese to enhance flavour and as a preservative. It also plays a role in the cheese-making process by helping to firm up the cheese curds and release moisture, which contributes to the desired texture of the final product.
Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that act as catalysts in various biological processes. In cheese-making, enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down milk proteins into smaller components, which then undergo further transformations to give cheese its unique flavour and texture. Different types of enzymes can be added during the cheese-making process to achieve specific characteristics in the final product.
Titanium dioxide is a food additive that is sometimes used in queso panela and other cheeses. It is a white, opaque substance that can be used to enhance the opacity and brightness of cheese, making it appear more appealing to consumers. While titanium dioxide is generally recognized as safe for consumption, there are some concerns about its potential impact on human health and the environment.
In conclusion, queso panela contains pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and occasionally titanium dioxide. While the cheese offers nutritional benefits, such as protein and calcium, it is also high in fat and sodium, which should be considered as part of a balanced diet. As with all foods, consuming queso panela in moderation and as part of a varied diet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
Panela cheese is made of pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and cheese cultures.
While Panela cheese is a source of protein and calcium, it is also high in fat and calories. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
There are 90 calories in 1 ounce of Noche Buena Panela cheese.
Some additives and contaminants found in Panela cheese include titanium dioxide and antibiotics.
