Five of the healthiest cheeses (2024)

Table of Contents
9 Comments Maryam8/3/2018Waoh!Thank you so much for the information. I have learnt a lot to benefit my health because I already removed cheese from my menu.God bless you!Reply Tammy White9/24/2020I mix provolone Swiss mozzarella Mexican blend tomatoes Dill oregano spring onion chives melt all of this in a microwave safe dish until fully melted and stir it and it is like a fondue it is so delicious. Bon appetit!Reply Cathy Gager2/4/2021please change Swiss calories – – – it’s 108, not 180Reply Prevent Cancer Foundation2/4/2021Cathy, thanks for taking the time to let us know. We’ve verified that Swiss cheese has 108 calories/ounce and have updated the text.Reply asdf4/25/2021Is the sodium content correct?Reply Prevent Cancer Foundation4/28/2021Thanks for writing. We have reviewed all of the information against the most recent data from USDA FoodData Central and have made a few updates as of April 28, 2021. We hope you find the information here helpful!Prevent Cancer FoundationReply Paul Yeager12/10/2022I would think that LOW SODIUM cheeses are MUCH healthier.Can you provide similar analysis for specifically marketed “Low Sodium” cheese products? Thanks! p.s. I’m a kidney stone former and sodium is a major concern in my diet.Reply Mary3/18/2023I always look at labels and the fat, sodium, and sugars can vary remarkably by brand of the product you purchase. And I try to check every time because sometimes they change their recipes and numbers can be affected tremendously!Daisy Light Sour Cream 15mg sodium 2 Tablespoons, I purchased a store brand when shopping, when it was all they had —when I got home I realized it had 75mg sodium for 2 Tablespoons!Reply Frances Jones4/6/2023I’m a senior who frequently has labs showing hyponatremia (low sodium), even though I do not restrict sodium or take diuretics. Other than Parmesan cheese showing slightly more sodium, is it a calcium rich, low fat cheese?Reply Leave a Comment Leave a Comment FAQs

You don’t normally see cheese on healthy food lists, but it’s part of pretty much everyone’s diet.

No matter how healthy I eat, there is always room for a little cheese. This month, I did some research on the healthiest types of cheese that you can enjoy at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In general, choose cheeses that are low in sodium and fat — soft cheeses tend to have higher amounts of both.

Here are 5 cheeses to try next time you go grocery shopping:

1. Cottage Cheese: A white curd cheese that is a light flavor, it mixes well with both sweet and savory ingredients. Mix it with fruit in the morningortop off a bowl of pasta and tomato sauce for a light dinner. Cottage cheese is high in phosphorous that aids in bone health and it contains all 9 amino acids. It comes in a variety of types: regular, low fat and nonfat. Low and nonfat are recommended since they contain less fat. While it has various nutritional benefits, it is high in sodium and portion size is key. A one four-ounce serving size of low 1% milk fat cottage contains 81 calories, 1.15 grams of fat and 459 mg of sodium.

2. Goat Cheese: Most popular in France and Spain, this white creamy cheese can be found soft or hard and has a tart flavor. Easier to digest than cow products, goat cheese can be a great alternative for people who are intolerant to cow’s milk. Goat cheese is packed with flavor. Use it in moderation — a little goes a long way. Toss into salads, top off roasted vegetables or add into a fruit salad. Goat cheese is low in calories, fat and has less sodium than feta. One ounce of soft goat cheese contains 76 calories, 6 g of fat and 130 mg of sodium.

3. Swiss: A hard cheese that is full of flavor. Swiss is a great lunch alternative to higher fat sandwich cheeses like provolone and cheddar. Chop up slices to use in a Cobb salad. Swiss is high in vitamin A and low in calories, fat and sodium. One ounce contains 112 calories, 9 g of fat and 53 mg of sodium.

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4. Parmesan: Originally from Italy, Parmesan has now become a household name. A dry cheese, it is easy to grate and has a salty, nutty flavor. Toss into salads, on pasta or to top off risotto. Portion size is important. While Parmesan contains vitamin A and is low in fat, it still contains a fair amount of sodium. One ounce of Parmesan contains 112 calories, 7 g of fat and 337 mg of sodium.

5. Part-Skim Mozzarella: Whole milk, part skim — what is the difference? Part skim has less fat in it and is the healthier choice. Another Italian favorite, mozzarella, mixes well in almost any dish. Grate it or melt it. Part skim fresh mozzarellas contain less sodium than hard mozzarellas. Mozzarella is packed with minerals and vitamins, low in both fat and sodium. One ounce of mozzarella contains 99 calories, 5.8 g of fat and 200 mg of sodium.

READ ALSO | Kid-friendly healthy recipe: ultra-crispy baked chicken nuggets

Are you a cheese addict? Don’t fret — there are healthy ways you can enjoy your favorite food. Moderation is key.

9 Comments

Tammy White

I mix provolone Swiss mozzarella Mexican blend tomatoes Dill oregano spring onion chives melt all of this in a microwave safe dish until fully melted and stir it and it is like a fondue it is so delicious. Bon appetit!

Reply

Cathy Gager

please change Swiss calories – – – it’s 108, not 180

Reply

asdf

Is the sodium content correct?

Reply

Prevent Cancer Foundation

Thanks for writing. We have reviewed all of the information against the most recent data from USDA FoodData Central and have made a few updates as of April 28, 2021. We hope you find the information here helpful!

Prevent Cancer Foundation

Reply

Paul Yeager

I would think that LOW SODIUM cheeses are MUCH healthier.
Can you provide similar analysis for specifically marketed “Low Sodium” cheese products? Thanks! p.s. I’m a kidney stone former and sodium is a major concern in my diet.

Reply

Mary

I always look at labels and the fat, sodium, and sugars can vary remarkably by brand of the product you purchase. And I try to check every time because sometimes they change their recipes and numbers can be affected tremendously!

Daisy Light Sour Cream 15mg sodium 2 Tablespoons, I purchased a store brand when shopping, when it was all they had —when I got home I realized it had 75mg sodium for 2 Tablespoons!

Reply

Frances Jones

I’m a senior who frequently has labs showing hyponatremia (low sodium), even though I do not restrict sodium or take diuretics. Other than Parmesan cheese showing slightly more sodium, is it a calcium rich, low fat cheese?

Reply

Leave a Comment

Five of the healthiest cheeses (2024)

FAQs

Five of the healthiest cheeses? ›

Although extremely tasty on that cheese plate, soft cheeses such as Camembert, brie and triple-crème (cheese enriched with cream) fall into the “less healthy” category because of their saturated fat content.

What are the top 5 healthiest cheeses? ›

What are the top 10 healthiest cheeses?
  • Goat's cheese. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Paneer. ...
  • Mozzarella. ...
  • Ricotta. ...
  • Cottage cheese. ...
  • Cheddar. An English semi-hard cheese, cheddar is made from cow's milk. ...
  • Feta. Typically made from sheep's or goat's milk combined with rennet, this Greek cheese is soft and tangy to taste.
Apr 14, 2024

What are the 5 best cheeses? ›

The very best kinds of cheese:
  • Mozzarella.
  • Parmigiano Reggiano.
  • Sharp Cheddar.
  • Brie.
  • Swiss cheese.
Jan 19, 2019

What's the unhealthiest cheese? ›

Although extremely tasty on that cheese plate, soft cheeses such as Camembert, brie and triple-crème (cheese enriched with cream) fall into the “less healthy” category because of their saturated fat content.

What is the healthiest cheese for your gut? ›

If gut issues make you feel you should avoid the cheese board trend, you'll enjoy this option. Aged hard cheeses such as parmesan and cheddar have less lactose, meaning fewer side effects for the lactose intolerant.

What cheese is healthy to eat every day? ›

Cottage cheese is probably the healthiest cheese, Rizzo says. “It's lower in saturated fat and higher in protein than most other cheese,” she explains. Rizzo recommends reaching for the low-fat variety, noting it still tastes good. Cottage cheese is high in protein, Rissetto said, calling it "really great."

Which cheese is superfood? ›

Parmesan. Boasting a whopping 10 grams of protein per ounce, true parmesan cheese is also very low in lactose, so it's easier to digest than most cow's milk cheeses. It's also high in calcium, with 335 mg per ounce serving.

What is the king of all cheeses? ›

Known as the “King of Cheeses”, Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano was first produced by Benedictine and Cistercian monks a thousand years ago. Over the centuries, it has acquired global prominence and is now a hugely popular choice for food-lovers the world over.

What is the #1 cheese in America? ›

And according to a new survey, I'm not alone: Cheddar is America's favorite cheese! One of the best things about cheese is how many varieties there are. Though most cheese simply boils down to milk curds, the type of milk and method used to make it results in an impressive array of different (and delicious!) flavors.

What cheeses are not processed? ›

What are the least processed cheeses?
  • Ricotta cheese.
  • Goat cheese.
  • Feta cheese.
  • Cottage cheese.
Jan 20, 2023

Which cheese to avoid? ›

Unhealthy Cheeses
  • Halloumi Cheese. Be aware of how much of this squeaky cheese you're adding to your morning bagel and salads! ...
  • Goats/ Blue Cheese. 1 oz. ...
  • Roquefort Cheese. Roquefort is a processed blue cheese and is incredibly high in sodium. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Cheddar Cheese.
Apr 20, 2017

Which cheese is most fattening? ›

Highest calorie cheese: Double GloucesterDouble Gloucester is again quite similar to Cheddar in the sense that it's a hard cheese with a high amount of fat. Every 100 grams has over 30 grams of fat and 415 calories - making it officially the highest calorie cheese.

What is the least inflammatory cheese? ›

In particular, goat cheese contains A2 casein, with an anti-inflammatory effect for the human body. Crumbled goat cheese can be added to salads, pizzas and eggs. In addition, whipped goat cheese can also be used to flavor fruit or vegetables.

What is the healthiest cheese for seniors? ›

It is important to note, however, that cheese offers a good dietary source of Vitamin D and seniors can get all the health benefits of cheese by eating varieties like cheddar, Monterey jack, and Swiss rather than soft varieties.

Which cheese is best for belly fat? ›

Which cheese is good for belly fat? A. Cheese variants such as Feta, low-fat cottage cheese, cheddar, swiss, and parmesan are excellent choices for weight loss, especially regarding reducing belly fat. Not only are these cheeses full of beneficial nutrients, but they also come in low-calorie servings.

What cheese is probiotic? ›

Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.

Which cheeses are not processed? ›

What are the least processed cheeses?
  • Ricotta cheese.
  • Goat cheese.
  • Feta cheese.
  • Cottage cheese.
Jan 20, 2023

What cheeses are anti-inflammatory? ›

Swiss, provolone, Cheddar and Gouda are some examples.

Are any cheeses heart healthy? ›

The best cheeses for heart disease are the ones with less saturated fat and sodium. Swiss cheese is probably the best choice, with only 53 mg of sodium per ounce. Mozzarella, goat and ricotta cheeses also fall on the lower side of the sodium scale, with about 130 milligrams per serving.

What cheese has the lowest cholesterol? ›

Which Cheeses Are Lowest in Cholesterol and Fat?
  • Cottage cheese: One cup of low-fat (1%) cottage cheese has 9mg of cholesterol and 1.5g of saturated fat.
  • Low-fat mozzarella cheese: A one-ounce serving of the part-skim variety has 18 mg of cholesterol and less than 3 g of saturated fat.
Jun 14, 2023

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