What Diets Can You Still Enjoy Cheese While On?

Cheese sometimes gets a bad reputation for being unhealthy, but it is actually perfectly fine to eat in moderation. In fact, it can be the perfect snack for a well-balanced diet and an excellent source of calcium and protein when you are trying to lose weight or just maintain a healthy weight. If you love cheese, but want to go on a diet, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to balance these things.

Low Carb Diets

One of the most popular types of diet is one that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. If you are on one of these diets, you will still be able to enjoy the vast majority of cheese. That is because while yogurt, milk, and certain other dairy products have a high number of carbs, the fermentation process that cheese goes through will reduce the numbers of carbs significantly. Better yet, cheese is rich in protein, making it perfect for low carb diets that emphasize protein-rich foods.

If you are on a low carb, high protein diet, you will want to avoid a few types of cheeses that have less protein. While they aren’t high in carbs, you are likely to eat more of them, putting you past your daily carb limit without getting you closer to your protein goal. Try avoiding ricotta, cottage, and cream cheese. Instead, opt for a cheese with low moisture content as it will have more protein in every serving. Good choices include Parmesan, Brie, Gouda, cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese. If you want to choose a cheese with the lowest possible carb content, opt for one that has been aged longer as the aging process reduces carbs.

Paleo Diets

The paleo diet gets a bit more complicated when it comes to cheese. It encourages you to eat foods that our ancestors ate, which puts dairy in an odd place. Many people on the paleo diet encourage eating small quantities of dairy as a way to get nutrients. While most try to stay away from it, you can opt for hard cheese as it won’t have as much sugar and can supplement your diet.

Why Cheese Is Good For Diets

Of course, the best way to diet is simply by eating healthy instead of creating random restrictions. When you do this, eating cheese is actually a very good way to lose weight. Its protein and fat content will keep you full longer and you can use it as a replacement for other, less healthy options, such as mayonnaise and butter. Just be sure to choose a cheese with a naturally lower fat content.