“I can eat cheese?
Cheese has so MUCH fat!”
I often hear this from clients when I suggest cheese as ahealthy snack.
I love cheese and eat it almost daily.
Where did America get the idea that cheese is a bad food?
Unfortunately, this perception has not gone away, reinforcing the idea that cheese is a guilty pleasure.
Cheese does contain fat, but more importantly, it has protein and calcium.
It also helps you feel full.
Eating food with fat in moderation is enjoyable and goes a long way in fending off hunger.
To celebrate my love for cheese, I decided to visitAndrew’s Cheese Shopin Santa Monica, CA.
Andrew Steiner is a true cheese connoisseur who is knowledgeable about every pop in of cheese.
I lovedCabot Clothbound Cheddarwhich comes from 330 family farmers in Vermont and has existed since 1919.
Even one small bite was amazingly satisfying.
Cheeses made from corn-fed cows contain higher levels of omega-6 fats (which increase inflammation).
Artisan specialty cheeses are almost entirely grass-fed, where as packaged cheeses from large companies are corn-fed.
In reality, dry, raw, hard cheese that has been aged for four months contains no pathogens.
The only pathogen that can occur in cheese - listeria - does not occur in aged cheese.
There has not been even one documented case of it!
With soft cheese it is a little different as listeria can live more easily in a wet environment.
Should you avoid soft cheese because of this?
Few cases of listeria have been documented, and unless you are pregnant it is not discouraged.
What if you arelactose intolerant?
Since the lactose in cheese is fermented, hard cheese may be a safe place to start.
Cheese does contain saturated fat.
Trans fat is in processed packaged foods, a far cry from great cheese.
Soft cheese has the benefit of having less fat.
Soft cheeses include goat and feta.
If you like cheese, eat some daily.
Have a reasonable portion and savor it.
Eat specialty Artisan cheeses to ensure you are eating those with omega-3 fats.
Having a taste of Vermont or Italy every day is a wonderful thing!
Vote for Susan to be SELF’s next Eat Like Me Blogger!
They’ll blog about every bite they eat and share their nutritional know-how all month long.
The R.D.s will take turns blogging from May 16-June 10.
Vote for your favorite!
How Can I Make Healthy Stick?
Eat Healthy for Life!
Eating Healthy Can Change Your DNA
