Many people following a diet program often avoid cheese because it’s considered high in calories and fat. However, is eating cheese while dieting really bad? In fact, cheese can be part of a healthy diet program when consumed properly and wisely.
Benefits of Cheese for Weight Loss
Cheese for dieting actually has various benefits that support weight loss programs:
- High in Protein: According to the USDA FoodData Central, the protein content in cheese (20-25 grams per 100 grams) helps increase satiety for longer, preventing overeating and helping to control daily calorie intake.
- Calcium Source: Research shows that adequate calcium intake is associated with healthier body weight. Cheese is an excellent source of calcium to support diet programs.
- Complete Nutrition: Besides protein and calcium, cheese also contains vitamin A, vitamin B12, and zinc, which are essential for body health during diet programs.
Read more: Cheese Nutrition: An Essential Information, Highly Beneficial for the Body!
Types of Cheese Suitable for Diet
Not all cheeses are created equal. Here are low-fat cheese options that are ideal for diet programs:
1. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a soft cheese from Europe that can be one of the choices for high-protein and low-fat cheese. Every 28 grams of cottage cheese contains 163 calories. Its soft texture makes this cheese versatile.
2. Mozzarella
This cheese is quite popular globally. Mozzarella can also be considered as a diet-friendly cheese because it’s low in fat. Compared to other types of cheese, mozzarella contains relatively low calories, about 72 calories per 28 grams. Its soft texture and savory taste make mozzarella easy to pair with various dishes.
3. Feta
Feta cheese is a type of cheese made from sheep’s milk, containing 200 calories per 100 grams. However, its strong flavor characteristics mean that feta cheese only needs to be consumed in small portions, making it suitable for consumption while following a diet program. This cheese is perfect for salads, providing a perfect savory touch to fresh vegetables.
4. Parmesan
Parmesan might be the most surprising choice on this list, with a very low calorie content of only 30 calories per 28 grams. Like feta, parmesan has a strong taste, so a little is enough to give a satisfying flavor to your dishes. Its very low calorie content makes it an ideal choice for those who are strictly controlling their calorie intake.
5. Gouda
In this case, the type of gouda cheese you can consume is gouda light. Gouda light presents a distinctive nutty taste with 120 calories per 28 grams. This type of cheese contains relatively high calcium, making it suitable as a good snack for your diet program.
Product Recommendations from The Laughing Cow
The Laughing Cow has several low-fat cheese products that can be alternative cheese options to accompany your diet. Some of these cheese options are:
- Babybel Original Cheese: With its unique packaging, this cheese contains 0.2 grams of trans fat, making it suitable for those who want to diet.
- Kiri Cream Cheese: In one serving size of 18 grams, this cheese contains 5 grams of fat and 4 percent salt overall.
- The Laughing Cow Belcube: The salt content is relatively low, only 33 milligrams in 1 cube.
By choosing the right type of cheese and following recommended portion guidelines, you can still enjoy cheese in your diet program. The key is to choose low-fat cheese and consume it wisely as part of a balanced diet.
