Cheese is one of America's most-loved foods, enjoyed in everything from pizzas to eggs to pastries. Although cheese has a number of nutritional benefits, you should also be aware of its potential pitfalls.
Identification
Cheese is a dairy product made by adding enzymes and acids to milk, which causes its curds to separate from its whey. The curds may be strained and left as they are, as in cottage or cream cheeses, or heated, compressed and aged to make soft or hard cheeses.
Soft-Cheese Calories
One oz. of cream cheese contains 129 calories. One oz. of goat cheese or blue cheese contains 100 calories and 1 oz. of brie contains 126. Mozzarella, a semi-soft cheese, has only 85 calories.
Hard-Cheese Calories
Per 1-oz. serving, most hard cheeses, including Monterey Jack, cheddar, Colby, Swiss and Parmesan, contain 105 to 110 calories.
Dietary Benefits
Like all dairy products, cheeses are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin D, phosphorous, potassium and calcium. They also contain high amounts of protein, a nutrient necessary for building your body's cells.
Dietary Risks
However, cheeses are typically high in sodium, an excess of which can lead to high blood pressure, and saturated fats, which can raise "bad" cholesterol levels. MedlinePlus recommends limiting your intake of full-fat dairy products.
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