CHEESE LOVERS

If you're trying to lose weight, you may think that cheese is off your list, but that's not the case. Depriving yourself of a food that you love is always a recipe for disaster.

What's more, studies have shown that eating more than 3 servings of dairy per day can reduce the risk of obesity.

Instead of giving up on cheese, you are much better off finding a healthy way to include it in your diet.

Cheese is full of protein and calcium. No matter what type you choose you will get at least 6 grams of protein by eating just one ounce.

Protein helps keep you feeling full. It keeps your blood sugar level where it needs to be and keeps you from eating too much.

But some cheeses are also full of fat.

The Secret to Eating Cheese and Still Losing Weight

The secret is all about learning which cheeses work against you, and which will help you in your goals.

There are over 400 different types of cheese in the world, and they all have different nutritional values. Breaking them down into different categories can be hard.

What you want to pay attention to is which have the most fat and salt. These include cheddar and other hard cheeses.

It is best to stay away from them.

There are plenty of delicious cheeses that are low in both fat and salt. The best of these are the fresh cheeses.

Fresh cheeses are the ones that are soft and creamy. They include cottage cheese, cream cheese, mascarpone, mozzarella and ricotta. You may think of these in terms of the high-fat recipes that they are often part of, but that's not the only way to eat them.

4 Cheeses that Fit into Your Weight Loss Plan

  1. Mascarpone is in every tiramisu and cannoli recipe, but it can be used as a spread instead of butter. You can also make a sweet treat by mixing a couple of tablespoons of it with fresh berries.
  2. Cottage cheese is a great, high protein addition to any diet. You can add it to smoothies or use it in place of sour cream in dips to eat with fresh vegetables.
  3. Feta cheese is full of vitamins and minerals. It is made from goat's or sheep's milk. It can have a high sodium content so you need to be careful not to eat too much of it, but it is so full of flavor that a little goes a long way. Feta is perfect for topping salads.
  4. Mozzarella cheese can be high in fat, so you should only eat it in moderation. Pair it with some fruit for a great snack that will keep you full for a long time.

This is all not to say that cheese is the ideal go-to for every meal. You still want to eat cheese in moderation and be mindful of portions but you can enjoy it and still lose weight.

Coach's Corner