While there are certainly many types of tasty cheese available, it’s important to remember that not all of them are equal when it comes to nutrient value. I personally like to mix in some quality cheese in moderation, but there are so many types of cheese that it can be difficult to narrow down what’s real cheese from what isn’t. For example, did you know that American “cheese” is also called Pasteurized Processed Cheese Food which is only required to be at least 51% real cheese? It’s typically combined with cheap filler ingredients and emulsifiers. Also note that there are “cheeses” that contain less than 51% cheese and will then be labelled “cheese product”.⠀
It’s also important to keep in mind that 65% of the adult population is lactose intolerant, meaning that eating dairy products like cheese (and especially non-fermented forms of dairy like cottage cheese) causes them to have digestion and skin issues. However some people with these issues are able to process certain types of high quality cheese that are lower in lactose, like goat cheese. There are so many factors that may affect which cheese is the best fit for you, so I wanted to break down some higher quality types of cheese that all have different nutrients and some beneficial compounds and will also satisfy your taste buds, dietary needs, and keep you on track with your goals.
Many of the better choices are fermented and contain beneficial probiotics that make them easier-to-digest than their overly processed counterparts.
Some Better Types of Cheese:
Mozzarella – contains bacteria that act as probiotics, including strains that may boost your immune system.⠀
Cottage cheese – has much more protein than some other cheeses & also contains beneficial probiotics.⠀
Blue cheese – boasts more calcium than most other cheeses. Blue cheese is cured with cultures from the mold Penicillium, which is what gives it a distinctive odor & tangy flavor. ⠀
Goat cheese – is a tangy, soft cheese made from goat’s milk which has more medium-chain fatty acids than cow’s milk. It also can be easier for some people to digest than other cheeses because goat’s milk is lower in lactose & has different proteins. ⠀
Feta – is typically made from sheep or goat’s milk. Feta provides conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been associated with reduced body fat and improved body composition. ⠀
Parmesan – is made from raw, unpasteurized cow’s milk that’s aged for at least 12 months to kill harmful bacteria. Parmesan is full of calcium, phosphorus & lower in lactose than some other cheeses.⠀
With all of this in mind, remember to pay attention to how you feel when you eat cheese & adapt accordingly or opt for something like goat cheese which has less lactose than cheese from cow’s milk if you have trouble digesting dairy.
Which kind of cheese is your favorite?
Xoxo,
MeowMeix aka Amanda
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