The HEALTHIEST cheese options for your diet to help you lose weight

Cheese isn’t the enemy. As long as you don’t have to follow a lactose-free or dairy-free, eating cheese every day can be part of your healthy eating plan.

While some varieties are full of calories, in moderation, it is a great source of protein in your diet.

In addition to being packed with protein and calcium, cheese is a fermented food and can supply a good source of probiotics for a healthy gut.

We at The Healthy Mummy believe nothing is off limits if you are following the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. Many of our recipes contain cheese.

10 of the healthiest cheese options to include in your diet

You would be forgiven for thinking that the best way to lose weight is to cut out dairy-rich food – especially cheese. But it turns out, cheese can actually help you lose the extra kilos if you eat it right.

Cheese is so versatile and can be added to desserts and main meals. However, not all cheese has the same nutritional value.

It depends on how it’s made and it can be made a number of ways – from the milk of cows, goats and sheep as well as other animals.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is relatively low in fat compared to other cheese and it also contains probiotics. Mozzarella tends to be bought grated and used in pasta dishes, such as spag bol or on pizza.

By option for grated mozzarella cheese, you tend to eat less of it. As it’s used to compliment a dish and give a hint of extra flavour.

Ricotta

Ricotta is a healthier choice compared to other cheese because it contains less salt and fat.

What’s more, because it’s creamy it can be used as a base for dips or served with fruit

Cottage cheese

A versatile cheese, that is HIGH in protein and very LOW in fat. Perfect for those on a healthy eating plan and aiming to achieve their weight loss goals.

100 grams of Cottage cheese has 98 calories – which is amazing for cheese. Standard cheddar has 402 calories per 100 grams.

Goat cheese

Due to the protein structure in goat cheese it has lower levels of lactose, so this make it a better choice for people with an intolerance to cow’s milk.

It’s also less likely to cause you digestive discomfort and is a good sauce of vitamins and minerals.

Feta

Feta is higher in salt than other cheese, it is very nutritious. A 100 g contains 337 mg of phosphorus, which is half of the 700mg daily recommendation.

Phosphorus and calcium are important nutrients for bone and teeth health.

Swiss cheese

Swiss cheese is produced in Switzerland and it’s famous holes are created by gas bubbles which form all over it.

Parmesan

Parmesan is low in fat, free of carbs, and virtually lactose-free.

Plus, it is a good source of protein and fat and rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin A, vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus and zinc.

How cheese can help you lose weight

Top your toast with Mascarpone, not butter

Mascarpone tastes just as rich and indulgent, but it has 62 calories per tablespoon compared to 102 calories per tablespoon in butter.

Spread sandwiches with cream cheese, not mayo

A tablespoon of full-fat mayonnaise has 94 calories and 10 grams of fat. A tablespoon of whipped cream cheese, in comparison, has 30 calories and just two and a half grams of fat.

Swap cream for ricotta

Swap cream for ricotta on top of your fruit salad. 110 calories vs 39 calories.

Swap hummus for cottage cheese

Use cottage cheese as a dip for a healthier option to hummus. 20 calories vs 50 calories!

8 HEALTHY Cheesy recipes

There are some great alternatives to use like reduced-fat cheese, cottage cheese, feta, mozzarella, goats cheese and ricotta.Luckily, we use lots of these healthy options in our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge Cheesy Recipes.8 Cheesy recipes that won’t ruin your diet

Sundried Tomato, Basil & Cheese Muffins

These savoury muffins are an ideal snack, lunch box treat or even for a quick breakfast on the run. Just 125 calories per muffin.

Get the recipe here.

Kid-friendly Healthy Macaroni and Cheese

This Healthy Mac and Cheese recipe is from our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and it’s a sensation!

It’s everything you could possibly imagine but without the high calories.

Recipe serves 6 kid-size servings at 295 calories per serve Or serves 4 adults at 425 calories per serve.

Get the recipe here.

Zucchini and cheese arancini

Arancini balls are a great lunchbox item for the whole family and you can add your favourite flavour combinations to suit everyone.

You can make the arancini balls ahead of time and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Enjoy a couple as a healthy snack, or serve 4 with a crisp side salad for a tasty lunch.

335 calories per serve

Get the recipe here

Spinach & cheese triangles

While traditional spinach and cheese triangles may not be the healthiest option, this homemade version from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge actually ticks a whole bunch of ‘good food’ boxes.

325 calories each.

Get the recipe here

Cream cheese stuffed bagel bites

At just 175 calories per bagel bite you won’t be able to resist these little treats.

Get the recipe here.

Cheese and Caramelised Onion Tartlets

These tasty tartlets are so simple to make and the decadent flavours of the cheese and soft sweet onion are delicious.

Calories per serve – 188

Get the recipe here.

5 Ingredient Cauliflower Cheese Breakfast Toastie

Fancy a freshly made toastie for breakfast? This healthy version turns the comfort food classic of cauliflower cheese into a meal to go.

288 calories per serve.

Get the recipe here.

Healthy Lemon Cheesecake

A healthy, single serve cheesecake that has the refreshing flavours of ginger and lemon. Increase in quantities and treat the whole family to a tasty after dinner snack. That all for our cheesy recipes!

320 calories

Get the recipe here

28 Day Weight Loss Challenge

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