Is There Anyone Who Should Not Eat Cheese?

Cheese is a delicacy we all enjoy as a healthy meal, part of a snack or on its own. With so many different types to choose from, there is a cheese that we all love. Whether its Mozzarella on pizza, Swiss cheese with wine, cheddar in sandwiches or parmesan with pasta, we have made this delicacy part of our everyday meals including in dessert platters. There are different types of cheeses such as hard, soft, tangy, mellow, creamy or ripe. Some such as aged cheddar has more sharpness to its taste than mild cheddar while some are sweet and others are tangy. Cheese is known to have good calcium content but it also gets bad press because of its high fat content.

So is there anyone who should not be eating cheese? Cheese does not have to be avoided in anyone’s diet but it has to be eaten moderately and in some diets in very small quantities. The high saturated fat content is not good for anyone in the long run and can cause problems if you a person continually overindulges. In general, the following groups should  limit eating too much cheese or some types of cheese.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are advised to not eat cheese made with raw (unpasteurized) milk. During pregnancy it is best to avoid any food or drink made with raw milk. Raw milk and food can carry disease causing organisms. It is best to avoid soft cheeses such as Feta, Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola and Roquefort as they are made with raw milk. Pregnant women are encouraged to eat cheese made from pasteurized milk as it is less likely to carry harmful bacteria.

During A Period Of Dieting

Cheese is known to be the cause of weight gain when eaten in large quantities. If you are overweight and are on a diet plan, cheese should be eaten in very small proportions. Although it may be high in calcium, the high fat content of cheese will not benefit or help in losing weight. Cottage cheese is recommended instead as it is low in calories and fat. You can also enjoy Mozzarella in small amounts as it tends to have a lower fat content.

Anyone With A Dairy Allergy

Cheese is composed mainly of milk and anyone with a dairy allergy should try avoiding cheese if they can. If you are not careful, the consequences can be fatal. Although a mild case might present with vomiting, wheezing and nausea, most serious cases will lead to anaphylaxis and if not treated in time this can lead to death.

Lactose Intolerant Individuals

Lactose intolerance happens to be a digestive issue that is relatively common. In the condition, people struggle to digest lactose which is the sugar that is generally in milk and dairy. Some individuals still continue to eat cheese but in moderation and have no problems. Goat cheese is a substitute that is popular as it is low in lactose. Aged cheeses can also be eaten as the longer cheese ages, the less lactose it contains.