We have been taught to eat cheese since kindergarten. Years go by, and love for cheese products only grows. Now cheese is not only put on sandwiches, as in school, but also added to all kinds of salads and gourmet dishes.
What is the use of cheese?
Everyone knows about the benefits of cheese, but it is also known that this dairy product is quite fatty, and a lot of questions arise for those who lose weight. Do you really have to give up your favorite product in the name of a beautiful figure? Some nutritionists justifiably limit their charges in the consumption of cheese products. And this is not just so, because most varieties of cheese really contain a large amount of fat. But, fortunately, not all. It turns out that there are such types of low-calorie cheeses that are not just allowed, but very recommended for human consumption. The main thing is to learn to distinguish the "right" cheese from a harmful figure. And do not forget to control the quantity! What cheeses are still worth including in the diet?
Tofu
Tofu cheese differs from its counterparts in one important detail - it is made not from products of animal origin, but from vegetable, namely soy milk. To the question of which cheese is the lowest-calorie, the answer is one: tofu. This variety immediately won a special favor with nutritionists, because it contains 8 grams of protein with a minimum percentage of fat - only 5%. The nutritional value of the lowest-calorie cheese per 100 grams is from 72 to 90 calories, depending on the variety. There is absolutely no cholesterol in the cheese, and thanks to the phytoestrogens that make up the blood vessels, they are cleansed of such dangerous cholesterol plaques. In addition to nutritionists, souls do not like tofu and cooks around the world, but the famous chefs call this cheese a chameleon. This is because the product can be subjected to absolutely any type of heat treatment and at the same time retain absolutely all the useful elements. For those who are losing weight, this low-calorie cheese is a real find. Of course, because of the neutral taste, it’s just very difficult to force yourself to eat a fresh piece of cheese, but the product has the unique ability to absorb the aroma and taste of other products. Therefore, it is ideal to use as an ingredient in dishes. Moreover, its versatility is so wide that cheese is added to desserts, and to hot, and to cold snacks. That's what a unique product means!
Tofu is also an excellent find for vegetarians, since cheese can to some extent replace meat or dairy products in terms of protein content.
Feel free to buy tofu cheese and don't be afraid to eat an extra piece. On the contrary, in fact, in addition to low-calorie, healthy composition and high-grade protein, cheese is quickly absorbed by the body, energizes and provides building material for muscles.
Ricotta
Which low-calorie cheese? Ricotta cheese! Another product that is prepared not from milk, but from low-fat whey, therefore, it not only contains a large amount of protein (11 grams), but also has a low calorie content. 100 grams of cheese can contain a maximum of 172 kilocalories. This indicator depends on the fat content of the cheese, and it can range from 8 to 24%. Accordingly, the lower the percentage of fat content, the lower the calorie content of the product. The peculiarity of cheese is that in consistency it resembles thick sour cream, therefore it is actively used to prepare healthy desserts that do not harm the figure. Favorite product of slender Italians, by the way. But despite the low percentage of fat content, the cheese is very saturated and is distinguished by its nutritional properties.
Ricotta - a storehouse of useful trace elements, vitamins, calcium. Thanks to its rich composition, this variety protects the liver and supports the immune system. However, it is important to remember that smoked ricotta cheese contains too much salt and does not help to fight excess weight at all, but only retains water in the body.
Mozzarella
Tender mozzarella cheese is recommended for use, as it is easily digested. This variety does not cause digestive upsets, and it can be eaten even by small children. Be careful only to be the one who suffers from lactose deficiency.
Cheese contains such beneficial elements as phosphorus, calcium, protein and healthy fats. The versatility of cheese lies in the fact that you can combine it with virtually any dish and product. Be it baked vegetables or a berry dessert.
The calorie content of cheese depends on the percentage of fat content. The maximum value is 280 kilocalories, and the percentage of fat content varies from 17 to 24%. If mozzarella is made from skim milk, then its calorie content drops to 160 kilocalories.
Adyghe cheese
This cheese is considered not only low-calorie, but also the most affordable. 100 grams of Adyghe cheese contains about 240 kilocalories. And the benefits are incredible - calcium, phosphorus, vitamins. It is recommended to add cheese to salads of fresh vegetables, put on bread rolls, and nothing will hurt your figure. Since the cheese is hard enough, you can add it in a canapé, so that on the festive table there is a dish useful for the figure.
The fat content of Adyghe cheese is 14%, and the proteins in it are as much as 19 grams. An indispensable product for lovers of dairy products and low-calorie cheese.
Chees Feta
You can not ignore the notorious feta cheese. Its distinctive feature is that there are virtually no carbohydrates in the composition - the main culprits in gaining excess weight. Feta goes well with fresh vegetables, so those who are losing weight cook all kinds of salads with the addition of this kind of cheese. Cheese is made from goat or sheep’s milk, so even those who are allergic to cow’s milk can relax and safely cut feta into salads. Calorie cheese is not the smallest - 290 calories per 100 grams. However, fats from it are only partially absorbed.
If there is no confidence in the purchased cheese, you can try to cook low-calorie cheese at home.
Cottage cheese
Cheese components are extremely simple and will be found in any grocery store. A kilogram of low-fat cottage cheese (you can take fat-free), 1 cup of milk, 1 egg, salt on the tip of a teaspoon, half a teaspoon of soda, 10 grams of butter and a teaspoon of olive. The recipe for low-calorie cheese is as follows:
- Mix cottage cheese with milk in a large saucepan and put on fire.
- Keep on low heat until boiling, the curd will gradually dissolve in milk.
- After the curd-milk mixture boils, cook for another 10 minutes.
- Strain the resulting mass through a colander.
- In a container in which the cottage cheese was cooked with milk, put 10 grams of butter, cottage cheese, salt, soda and egg.
- Cook over low heat for another 10 minutes, remembering to mix thoroughly.
- When the curd mass is reminiscent of mashed clay, the cheese is ready!
Therefore, giving up cheese during weight loss is not at all worth it, but it is forbidden to switch to cheese products only. After all, they completely lack carbohydrates, and nutrition during the diet should be correct and balanced so as not to harm the body. Poisoning with protein breakdown products has not made anyone happy. Good in moderation!