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The 9 Healthiest Types of Cheese

Key Takeaways - Cheese varies widely but can offer protein, calcium, and other key nutrients. - Mozzarella and cottage cheese are lower in calories, while cheddar provides vitamin K2. - Swiss cheese is lower in sodium, and goat cheese may be easier to digest f

Written by Peptide Therapy Guide Editorial Team
For education only

This guide cannot diagnose a condition or recommend a personal treatment plan. Discuss medical questions with a qualified professional.

Key Takeaways

  • Cheese varies widely but can offer protein, calcium, and other key nutrients.
  • Mozzarella and cottage cheese are lower in calories, while cheddar provides vitamin K2.
  • Swiss cheese is lower in sodium, and goat cheese may be easier to digest for some.

Cheese is a dairy product that comes in hundreds of textures and flavors.

It’s produced by adding acid or bacteria to milk (cow milk or goat milk) and then aging or processing the solid parts of the milk. The nutrient content and flavor depend on how it’s produced and the type of milk used.

Some people are concerned that cheese is high in fat, sodium, and calories. However, cheese can also be a good source of protein, calcium, and several other nutrients. Eating cheese may help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. But some are more nutritious than others.

Here are nine of the healthiest types of cheese.

Mozzarella is a soft white cheese with high moisture content. It originated in Italy and is usually made from Italian cow’s or buffalo’s milk.

Mozzarella is lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. A

Blue cheese is made from cow’s, goat’s, or sheep’s milk, cured with cultures from the mold Penicillium.

It’s typically white with blue or gray veins and spots. The mold used to create blue cheese gives it a distinctive odor and a bold, tangy… Show more

Feta is a soft, salty white cheese originally from Greece. It’s typically made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. Sheep’s milk gives feta a tangy and sharp taste, while goat’s milk feta is milder.

Feta is typically lower in calories than other… Show more

Cottage cheese is a soft, white cheese made from the loose curds of cow’s milk. It’s thought to have originated in the United States.

A typical 1/2-cup portion of cottage cheese is much higher in protein than other cheeses.

Ricotta is an Italian cheese made from the watery parts of cow’s milk, goats’ milk, sheep’s milk, or Italian water buffalo milk that are left over from making other cheeses. Ricotta has a creamy texture and is often described as a lighter… Show more

Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese with a gritty texture and a salty, nutty flavor. It’s made from raw, unpasteurized cow’s milk aged for at least 12 months to kill harmful bacteria and produce a complex flavor.

The final product is loaded with… Show more

As the name suggests, Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland. This semihard cheese is typically made from cow’s milk and features a mild, nutty taste.

Its signature holes are formed by bacteria that release gases during fermentation.

A

Cheddar is a widely popular semi-hard cheese from England.

Made from cow’s milk that has been matured for several months, it can be white, off-white, or yellow. The taste of cheddar depends on the variety, ranging from mild to extra sharp.

A… Show more

Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a tangy, soft cheese made from goat’s milk.

It’s available in several forms, including spreadable logs, crumbles, and varieties that resemble brie.

Goat cheese is highly nutritious, with

Most cheeses are a good source of protein and calcium, and some offer additional health benefits. In particular, certain cheeses may provide nutrients that promote gut health, aid weight loss, improve bone health, and decrease your risk of heart disease.

Cheese can be a nutritious addition to a healthy, balanced diet.

However, because some cheeses can be high in sodium, fat, and calories, it’s still worth monitoring your intake and enjoying them in moderation.

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Related questions

01What Makes Cheese Vegetarian- or Vegan-Friendly?

While vegans don’t eat products that come from animals, some vegetarians (lacto-vegetarians) eat dairy products including cheese and cow’s milk. Otherwise, they avoid animals or other products that come from animals. But not all dairy products are vegetarian-friendly. Certain types of cheeses are made with animal rennet, a mixture of enzymes that causes dairy to curdle and clump together. The active ingredient in rennet is chymosin (also called rennin) and it’s extracted from a calf’s stomach lining. This is often referred to as calf rennet. When you add rennet to milk during the cheesemaking process, it helps break down casein proteins that keep it in liquid form. That causes the milk to curdle (or clot). Cheesemakers separate the curds from the liquid (whey) and turn the curds into cheese. Commonly used cheeses like Parmesan, Grana Padano, and Gorgonzola contain calf rennet. Not all cheeses contain calf rennet. Clotting enzymes can also be found in certain fungi, plants, and genetically modified microbes. Some cheeses like paneer and cottage cheese don’t contain any form of rennet. Instead, they’re usually made using vegetable-based acids that cause curdling like lemon juice or vinegar. If the cheese is made using non-dairy milk like soy, almond, or cashew, that makes it vegan-friendly. Some companies that make oat milk are beginning to make cream cheese-like spreads and non-dairy mozzarella.

Source: www.webmd.com ↗
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Peptide Therapy Guide Editorial Team

Editorial team for Peptide Therapy Guide.

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