Patrick Oconnell
If you're a cheese lover, you might be wondering which cheeses are the healthiest to eat. While cheese is often high in fat and salt, some cheeses are better for you than others. For example, if you have lactose sensitivity, hard cheeses such as Parmesan are better for reducing gut symptoms. Blue cheese, on the other hand, is high in sodium, with 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan |
| Why it's better for you | Very low in moisture, increasing shelf life |
| How to eat it | Grated, so you only eat a small amount |
| Other cheeses to consider | Mozzarella (low in fat, protein-rich, and lower in sodium than most cheeses) |
| Swiss (low in salt and fat, and decent on protein) | |
| Whole-fat cheese (helps to balance blood sugars and is less processed) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, are better for reducing gut symptoms
If you have lactose sensitivity or irritable bowel syndrome, hard cheeses such as Parmesan are better for reducing gut symptoms. This is because they are very low in moisture, which increases their shelf life, and they are usually served grated, so a little goes a long way.
Sharon Collison, a registered dietitian and clinical instructor in nutrition at the University of Delaware, says:
> These cheeses are very low in moisture which increases their shelf life. They are generally served grated and can be healthy choices because they have such intense flavour that small portions are usually enough.
Blue cheese, on the other hand, has 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce, so Swiss cheese is a better option if you're looking for something lower in salt. Mozzarella is also a good choice if you're looking for a cheese that's lower in fat and sodium. However, it can be tricky to grate, so if you're topping a pizza, try tearing it into small pieces and scattering it thinly.
If you're looking for a cheese that will keep you feeling full, it's best to go for a full-fat or whole-milk variety. Magryta, a dietitian, says:
> When the fat is processed out of dairy foods, you lose not only the flavour but the food’s natural ability to keep you full. Whole-fat cheese also helps to balance blood sugars, which may have to do with its high amounts of vitamin K, vitamin D and calcium.
Cheese Secrets: Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Success
You may want to see also
Blue cheese contains 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce
If you have lactose sensitivity or irritable bowel syndrome, hard cheeses such as Parmesan are better for reducing gut symptoms. This is because they are very low in moisture, which increases their shelf life, and they are served grated, so you only need a small amount. Blue cheese, on the other hand, contains 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce, which is a lot compared to Swiss cheese, which has more than seven times less salt. Blue cheese is also ripened with cultures of the mould penicillium and includes varieties such as Stilton and Gorgonzola.
Mozzarella is another cheese that is lower in sodium than most cheeses, with a one-ounce portion having just 7% of the daily recommended intake based on a 2,000-calorie diet. However, some experts recommend choosing full-fat or whole-milk cheese, as low-fat cheese can be highly processed and full-fat cheese helps to balance blood sugars.
Shredded Cheese: Cellulose Type and Functionality Explained
You may want to see also
Swiss cheese is seven times lower in salt than blue cheese
If you're looking for a cheese that won't mess you up, you might want to consider a few factors. Firstly, if you have lactose sensitivity or irritable bowel syndrome, hard cheeses such as Parmesan are a good option as they are low in moisture and have a strong flavour, so you're likely to eat less. Mozzarella is also a good choice as it's lower in sodium than most cheeses and has just six grams of fat per ounce. However, it can be tricky to grate.
If you're concerned about salt content, Swiss cheese is a good option as it's more than seven times lower in salt than blue cheese. Blue cheese has 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce, whereas Swiss cheese is pretty low in fat, with eight grams per serving, and decent on protein, with seven grams per serving.
Jack Snack Cheese: A Tasty Mystery Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mozzarella is lower in sodium and fat than most cheeses
If you're looking for a cheese that won't mess you up too much, you might want to consider mozzarella. Mozzarella is lower in sodium and fat than most cheeses. One ounce of mozzarella contains just six grams of fat, while also delivering six grams of protein. Mozzarella is also lower in sodium than most cheeses, with that same one-ounce portion having just 7% of the daily recommended intake based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
If you have lactose sensitivity or suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, hard cheeses such as Parmesan will probably be better for reducing your gut symptoms. This is because they are very low in moisture, which increases their shelf life, and they are generally served grated, meaning you are likely to eat less. However, you may only want a little bit of this variety as they have such an intense flavour.
Blue cheese, which includes varieties such as Stilton and Gorgonzola, has 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce, so Swiss cheese is a much better option if you're looking for something lower in salt. It's also pretty low in fat, with eight grams per serving, and decent on protein, with seven grams per serving.
If you're looking for a healthier option, it's worth noting that low-fat cheese can be highly processed and full of unhealthy additions such as acids, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, gums and other nondairy ingredients. Full-fat or whole-milk cheese is often a better option as it helps to balance blood sugars and contains high amounts of vitamin K, vitamin D and calcium.
French Onion Soup: Applebee's Cheese Choice Explained
You may want to see also
Full-fat or whole-milk cheese is better for keeping you full
If you have lactose sensitivity or irritable bowel syndrome, hard cheeses such as Parmesan are better for reducing gut symptoms. This is because they are very low in moisture and have an intense flavour, so you are likely to eat less. However, if you are looking for a cheese that will keep you full, full-fat or whole-milk cheese is the best option. This is because when the fat is processed out of dairy foods, you lose the food's natural ability to keep you full. Low-fat cheese can also be highly processed and contain unhealthy additions such as acids, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, gums and other non-dairy ingredients. Mozzarella is also a good option as it is low in fat and sodium, while being high in protein. Blue cheese, on the other hand, has 380 milligrams of sodium per ounce, so it is best to avoid this if you are looking for a cheese that will not mess you up.
Cheese for Toddlers: Best Types and Their Benefits
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Hard cheeses such as Parmesan are better for reducing gut symptoms.
Swiss cheese is more than seven times lower in salt than blue cheese.
Mozzarella is lower in fat than most cheeses, with just six grams of fat per ounce. People who are watching their fat intake should also be aware that low-fat cheese can be highly processed and may contain unhealthy additions such as acids, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, gums and other nondairy ingredients.
