The name "fontina" can be applied to a Danish cheese that is somewhat similar to havarti, as well as an Italian cheese that comes from the Valle d'Aosta, Italy. The fontina seen in American markets is the Danish cheese. This semi-soft cheese has a rich, creamy taste that can be used whenever you would use havarti. It's great with fruit, wine and crackers, and can be used in sandwiches.
Calories and Fat
One ounce of fontina cheese has 100 calories and 8 g of fat. Four of these fat grams are saturated fats. Saturated fats are usually solids at room temperature. A healthy diet is low in saturated fats, which raise cholesterol levels and are associated with cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends that people eating a 2,000-calorie diet limit their intake of saturated fats to 16 g per day.
Protein
One ounce of fontina provides 6 g of protein. Protein is essential to life. In addition to being an important part of cell membranes, it makes up muscle, hair, enzymes, antibodies and some hormones.The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that everyone get 0.8 g of protein for every kilogram of body weight. This means that a 130-lb. woman needs approximately 47 g of protein every day. One ounce of fontina satisfies almost 13 percent of this requirement.
Vitamins and Minerals
While fontina cheese supplies no vitamin C or iron, it does supply 8 percent of the required vitamin A and 20 percent of the recommended calcium. Bones and teeth are made from a compound called hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is made from calcium and smaller amounts of other molecules. Getting enough calcium with foods such as fontina cheese helps prevent loss of bone density, which leads to osteoporosis.
Sodium
Sodium causes hypertension, which is why the American Heart Association recommends limiting total daily intake to no more than 1,500 mg. With 170 mg of sodium, 1 oz. of fontina accounts for 11 percent of this limit. Putting it on two crackers of rye crisp bread adds another 90 calories, accounting for 17 percent of this limit. That's a lot of sodium for a small snack. You may wish to reserve this cheese for special occasions.
Member Comments