Cheese has a reputation of being a fattening diet evil but a recent study by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who ate a 1 ounce serving of full-fat cheese daily gained less weight over time than those who didn’t. The benefit is thought to come from whole dairy’s linoleic acid content, which might have metabolism boosting properties. To take maximum advantage of the slimming properties of cheese keep it to a single 1 ounce serving daily (about the size of your thumb) and choose from these healthy varieties.
Goat Cheese A good source of copper, which helps boost immunity, this creamy cheese is great smeared on a sandwich or wrap instead of mayo or on toast with nuts and dried fruit.
Parmesan is full of tangy flavor and an ounce has more calcium than a glass of milk and more protein than an equivalent ounce of chicken breast. Grate it over a salad or sprinkle it on whole wheat pasta.
Cheddar is one of the best cheeses for melting and it has more calcium than American, which makes it a great choice for topping grilled sandwiches, tacos, and veggie burgers.
Monterey Jack, along with its flavorful counterpart Pepper Jack, provides 20% of your daily calcium needs and 6g of healthy protein.
Ricotta is the lowest sodium cheese out there, and its also one of the slimmest with only 49 calories per ounce. It’s great in lasagna, tossed with pasta and veggies, or mixed directly into tomato sauce for a creamy twist.
Provolone is known for its great compliment to deli meat and cold sandwiches. A single ounce provides 21% of your daily calcium along with healthy amounts of phosphorous and selenium.
Mozzarella is a mild cheese that goes well in omelets and on pizza because it won’t overwhelm other flavors. A serving is just 85 calories and provides 22% of daily calcium needs.
(Photo courtesy of Dominic Morel)
