Among many sins, we cannot do without, a pot of warm melting cheese definitely ranks high! Adding cheese to any dish adds that depth and goodness that sets the mood just right.
Though we commonly believe that if you are looking to shed some pounds, cheese is an absolute no-no, you are in for some happy revelation.
Some low-fat cheeses are healthy and if consumed in moderate quantity, they actually help you in building your health! So get ready for a cheesy ride with us in this article!
9 Healthy cheeses for weight loss
1. Feta Cheese
If you look at the Mediterranean diet, which according to studies, can decrease your proclivity to heart risks, feta cheese is one of the prominent ingredients of the diet plan.
Feta cheese is also known to contain lesser fat as compared to other cheeses. Its healthy nature and soft & crumbly texture makes it a popular ingredient in salads. For instance watermelon and mint leaves salad topped with feta cheese is a clear winner.
Also, feta cheese is high in calcium which makes it an amazing fuel for your bones and teeth health. Highly recommended variant of feta cheese are Valbresco, Mt. Vikos, and Athenos, which offer you uniquely distinct tastes.
2. Low-fat Cottage Cheese
The versatility of cottage cheese makes it a super amazing snack as well as a main dish.
Get some low fat cottage cheese (even better if you make it at home from low fat milk!) and just sauté it in olive oil, sprinkle some salt, pepper and lemon juice and there you go, an awesome snack is ready in a jiffy!
Pack a low fat cottage cheese sandwich for lunch and your day is sorted! You can even make a light curry and add the soft low fat cottage cheese and enjoy it with whole wheat bread. Cottage cheese is high on protein which makes it one of the best cheeses for weight loss.
3. Cheddar Cheese
Another cheese good for weight loss is cheddar. It has a light and airy texture and taste which makes it ideal for pizzas, omelettes or just as a sprinkling for your salads and breads. Topped up in protein and calcium, cheddar cheese also ranks high on the healthiest cheese list.
4. Swiss Cheese
Spruce up your vitamin B12 content with the delicious Swiss cheese. If consumed judiciously, it can actually clock in about 14 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin B 12. Swiss cheese is also known for improving bone and dental health.
5. Parmesan Cheese
Can an Italian meal ever be complete without a generous sprinkle of the delicious and soul satisfying parmesan cheese?
Clearly no! Parmesan cheese is again one of the healthiest cheeses that besides adding an amazing flavour, infuses various nutrients such as protein, calcium, and minerals into any dish it is added to. Add its shavings to soups, roasted vegetables, sauces, pasta or a salad, you will have a clear winner.
6. Goat Cheese
We got this creamy yet healthy cheese for you – yes a rare combination of creamy and healthy. With approximately the same amount of calories as feta cheese, it offers a tangy taste, which gives a unique taste to any dish it is used in.
Goat cheese is one of the healthiest cheeses and superb for weight loss. Spread it over a sandwich or low calorie cracker an you have a perfectly healthy and low calorie ready on the go!
In fact, swapping the calorie laden mayonnaise with the healthy goat cheese is a superb option.
7. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese is one of the most popularly used cheese in the world – and one of the healthiest too, if made with skimmed milk. It is also quite easy to make mozzarella cheese at home.
An excellent source of calcium, the stretchy mozzarella strings can be oddly satisfying on a whole wheat pizza slice, lasagne or a sandwich.
You can even add a host of healthy toppings and flavours like mint, sun dried tomatoes, basil, parsley and other herbs to make it a health packed meal.
8. Neufchatel Cheese
Feel guilty each time you treat yourself with cream cheese and rightly so? Swap the not so healthy cream cheese with the spreadable Neufchatel cheese. This cheese has an amazing taste and texture and can be used in sandwiches to make them healthier and tastier.
9. Camembert Cheese
This one also ranks on the healthiest cheese list and can be enjoyed with crackers and fruits.
3 Unhealthy cheeses to stay away from
1. Squeezable Cheese
Any processed cheese should be avoided given the ingredients which go into preparing them. These ingredients prove hazardous for your weight loss plan and make the cheese capable of taking you on a calorie laden journey!
To top it all, processed cheeses do not taste even half good as their unprocessed counterparts, so why waste your health, time and taste on the processed (read useless) version! Squeezable or processed cheese lacks the nutrition offered by the unprocessed cheese.
2. Cream Cheese
Who does not love cream cheese – an instrumental in all our cheese cakes, cake toppings or even as a spread? But what we often forget before digging into this sweet poison is its super high calorie content!
Just one tablespoon has 46 calories from fat and that is definitely not a small something. So either opt for whipped cream cheese or even better, go for Neufchatel Cheese – a much healthier option for cream cheese.
3. Processed Cheese Singles/Cubes
Yes, it is easy to use and more importantly, easily available. But this does not make it a good to consume option.
Processed cheese singles or cubes mainly contain processed ingredients laced with food dyes and preservatives. The high content of preservatives give it its longer shelf life, taking away its nutrients value, if at all any!
Frequently Asked Questions
1] Which cheese has the lowest calorie?
Ans. Cheeses like feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella cheese, brie cheese, blue cheese, Swiss cheese, etc. are low on calories.
2] Which cheese is bad for you?
You must avoid processed cheese because of the high content of preservatives and food dye in the cheese. This one is definitely bad for you.
3] What is healthy cheese?
Variety of cheeses like feta cheese, blue cheese, goat cheese, pecorino romano and ricotta cheese are healthy, if consumed in moderation. Moderation is the key to good health!
For more such interesting articles on healthy food and lifestyle, keep reading our Possible blog section.
You can even talk to our expert Possible Nutritionist for more insight on health and fitness. The first consultation is on us. Click here to avail!
This was a very interesting article. Thank you Saba!
Well again this was very informative and thanks for spreading the information.
Hi! You are welcome and glad to know you that you liked the information provided in this article “9 healthy Cheeses you can eat guilt free and why”. Keep following our blog to know more health information.
Well I wanted to say thank you for the amount of information you gave Saba.
Hi! You are welcome and glad to know you that you liked the information provided in this article “9 healthy Cheeses you can eat guilt free and why”. Keep following our blog to know more health information.