How to Enjoy Cream Cheese the Healthy Way (Even if You Have Lactose Intolerance)

Cream cheese is often associated with bagels or cheesecake and conjures images of a luscious and tasty treat. It spreads smoothly with a light and slightly tangy flavor.

Cream cheese is made with pasteurized cream or a combo of milk and cream. The pH-lowering lactic acid bacteria is added in, which produces curds, and then the whey gets strained, the cheese undergoes heat treatment and additives are mixed in to improve the texture. In the U.S., the FDA requires cream cheese's minimum milkfat content to be 33 percent and the maximum moisture content to be 55 percent.

The beloved dairy product can be found in a variety of forms, including regular, whipped, brick, low-fat and fat-free. Flavors such as vegetable, chive and strawberry are also widely available, as is Neufchâtel cheese.

Two tablespoons (about 30 grams) of cream cheese is equal to a single serving. One serving of regular cream cheese contains:

• Calories: 102
• Total fat: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 29 mg
• Sodium: 91 mg
• Total carbs: 1.6 g
• Dietary fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Added sugar: 0 g
• Protein: 1.8 g

• Total fat: One serving of cream cheese has 10 grams of total fat, which includes 2.6 grams of monounsaturated fats, 0.4 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 5.8 grams saturated fat and 0.4 grams of trans fat.
• Carbohydrates: One serving of cream cheese has 1.6 grams of carbs, which includes 0 grams of fiber and 1 gram of natural sugars.
• Protein: One serving of cream cheese has 1.8 grams of protein.

• Vitamin A: 10% of your Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin B2: 5% DV
• Selenium: 4% DV
• Vitamin B12: 3% DV
• Vitamin B5: 3% DV
• Two tablespoons of cream cheese is not a significant source of vitamin E (2% DV), phosphorus (2% DV), calcium (2% DV), magnesium (1% DV), zinc (1% DV), copper (1% DV) or potassium (1% DV).

Cream cheese doesn't provide as much calcium and protein as many hard cheeses, but does have some redeeming qualities.

1. The Vitamin A in Cream Cheese Is Linked to Promoting Good Vision

Cream cheese is a good source of vitamin A, which is integral to eye health. It is critical to healthy eyesight and helps prevent vision-related issues, including night blindness, according to the National Institutes of Health.

With 10 percent of our recommended daily value found in only two tablespoons, cream cheese packs a powerful punch.

Bonus: Vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means your body is able to better absorb it when it's paired with fats — so opt for low-fat or full-fat cream cheese, or pair the cheese with a source of fats such as eggs, to help your body get the most vitamin A.

2. It May Be OK for People With Lactose Intolerance

Those with lactose intolerance will be delighted to learn that a serving of cream cheese likely won't cause GI discomfort.

Cream cheese has about 1 gram of lactose, according to the University of Virginia. That's not a lot — in fact, most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate around 12 to 15 grams of lactose (about the amount in an 8-ounce glass of milk), according to a June 2010 review in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Food Allergies

Dairy can cause either a food allergy or food intolerance in some people. While these may produce similar symptoms, they're not the same.

Here's the difference: An allergy to dairy is the body's immune response to the protein found in cow's milk, which is the result of inadequate lactase. Lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, is the natural sugar in cow's milk. Other symptoms may include hives, cramps, wheezing, vomiting or a rash. An allergy to dairy may be life-threatening depending on the severity of the allergic reaction.

Both a dairy allergy and dairy intolerance may lead to feeling gassy, bloated, nauseous or experiencing diarrhea, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Drug Interactions

While cream cheese is not known to interact with any medication, be sure to discuss any food interactions with your medical professional.

Cream cheese is always available at your local grocery all year-round. It's versatile and makes for a delicious toast or taco topper as well as an ingredient in a variety of recipes. Here are some creative ways to use it:

• Use as a base for a variety of dips, including onion dip, taco dip and spinach artichoke dip.
• Use for a variety of sweet dishes and baked goods, including cheesecake, brownies, cake, muffins and cookies. Cream cheese can be part of the baked good or as a glaze or frosting.
• Add to macaroni and cheese or other cheesy pastas for a creamier texture.
• Mix into mashed potatoes to add creaminess and tang.
• Use as part of a cheese ball appetizer.
  
• Use as an ingredient in pancake or waffle batter.
• Use as a filling for crepes.
• Mix with frozen spinach and use as a filling for calzones or hand pies.
• Use as an ingredient in creamy salads, such as chicken, egg or potato salad.
• Use it to add creaminess to soup, such as chowder or bisque.
• Use as part of a stuffing for baked appetizers such as stuffed mushrooms and phyllo cups.

In place of cream cheese, other tangy dairy items can be used. However, the alternative depends in part on what dish you are making.

As a savory spread: Ricotta, cottage cheese, mascarpone and plain Greek yogurt are easy swap-outs to help you cut back on calories and add value, like protein and calcium.

For sweet dishes: Ricotta and mascarpone are generally the best alternatives to cream cheese.

For dairy-free options: There are a variety of dairy-free cream cheese alternatives (such as Daiya's cream cheese alternative) available nationwide.