6 Lower-Calorie Options for People Who Love Cheese
Updated: Jan. 22, 2020
For people who are calorie-conscious, note that these healthy cheese options contain the fewest calories.
Cheese isn’t a villain
Cheddar, Swiss, and other hard cheeses are delicious, but pack over 100 calories per ounce. However, keep in mind that cheese also contains calcium and protein, as well as vitamin B12 and other nutrients. In general, cheese and other types of dairy can be part of a healthy eating plan. However, if you are concerned about portion sizes or calorie intake, there are cheese options that are naturally lower in calories—and some of these are probably already your favourites.
Here’s how they stack up, and delicious ways to add them to your meals and snacks.
Parmesan: 22 calories per tablespoon
Two tablespoons of grated Parmesan has less than 50 calories. Parmesan is the healthiest cheese to use to add a burst of umami flavour to soups and pasta. It pairs perfectly prosciutto, too.
Feta cheese: 77 calories per ounce
Feta is a tangy alternative to more fatty cheeses, and different types have a different amount of calories so make sure to check the label. Also, did you know feta pairs well with watermelon?
Goat cheese: 75 calories per ounce
This creamy cheese has about the same amount of calories as feta. The flavour of goat cheese varies by type, but it is generally tangy like yogurt. (Fan of goat cheese? Replace mayonnaise with this protein-filled spread, or add it to a yummy salad with arugula.)
Mozzarella: 70-85 calories per ounce
If you’re using a lot of cheese—think lasagna—consider cooking with part-skim mozzarella cheese; it only has about 70 calories per ounce and might be the lowest-calorie cheese choice that’s also an excellent source of calcium. For 15 more calories per ounce, whole milk mozzarella can be more satisfying. Try this instead of cheddar on a grilled cheese sandwich.
Neufchatel cheese: 70 calories per ounce
This spreadable cheese is the ultimate antidote to fattier cream cheese. (Philadelphia brand’s 1/3 less fat cream cheese is actually this type of cheese.) You won’t miss the fat, and some people swear that Neufchatel actually tastes better. Make it your bagel’s new BFF, or smear it on banana bread instead of butter.
Camembert: 85 calories per ounce
Camembert is made in a similar way to Brie but has 10 fewer calories per serving. Try baking it in a Portobello mushroom for a no-fuss light lunch or supper.
Next, learn how to tame your mindless eating habits.
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