What Minerals And Nutrients Do You Get From Cheese?

Cheese is a food that is eaten worldwide and has been made and eaten for thousands of years. There are many varieties, often associated with their country of origin, such as Swiss cheese. These varieties include cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, Colby, longhorn, provolone, parmesan, Edam, and many others. There are hard cheeses, such as the ones mentioned, and there are soft cheeses, such as ricotta and cottage cheese.

Vitamins and Minerals
Because cheese is made from milk, usually cow or goat milk, but there are others, too, it has the same nutrients found in milk. Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. It also contains phosphorus, zinc, potassium, magnesium, sodium, selenium, fluoride, iron, and vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, and K. These nutrients are necessary to maintain a healthy body. The amounts of these nutrients vary from type to type, but they all basically have the same vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin D
The vitamins and minerals found in cheese particularly contribute to strong bones and teeth, but also benefit other parts of the body. Cheese contains a significant amount of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. A vitamin D deficiency contributes to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones. Adults require 60 international units (IU) of Vitamin D per day. A one-ounce serving of cheddar cheese supplies seven IUs of Vitamin D, or two percent of the minimum daily requirement.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, bones, teeth, eyes, skeletal, and soft tissue. Men require 3,000 IUs per day, while women need somewhat less.  A one-ounce slice of cheddar cheese provides 284 IUs, or six percent.

Protein
Cheese is an excellent source of protein. Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies, and therefore it is essential to intake adequate proteins, but to not overdue them. One nice thick slice of cheddar cheese (28g) will deliver 6.7 grams of protein, nearly the equivalent of a glass of milk.

Fat And Calories
One important factor to remember when choosing and eating cheese, is that, along with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in cheese, it also comes loaded with calories. Some varieties have fewer calories than do others, but there are still plenty of them. A lot of the calories are fat calories, something it is good to go easy on. So mix your cheese up with gourmet crackers and fruit.