National Cheese Day 2025: Top 6 healthiest cheeses you can indulge in

Time of India

3 days ago

For most of the foodies, cheese is something one would describe as the most delicious bait! Whenever they would hear the word 'cheese', hunger pangs would follow, and the craving for some delectable cuisine, garnished with a lot of cheese, would kick in!
World Cheese Day takes place on the 4th of June every year, a delightful day for cheese lovers to unite and celebrate their favourite dairy delight! This day is a chance to celebrate the diverse and delicious world of cheese, from exploring different varieties to enjoying it in various dishes.
It's a day for cheese enthusiasts to appreciate its rich history and culinary significance.
Due to its taste and a failproof ability to elevate the taste of almost any dish, cheese has a pretty wide fan base. However, due to the a fair amount of calorie intake when one consumes cheese, it's got a bad name too!
However, that doesn't mean that cheese is bad for health.
In fact, cheese can be a beneficial part of a balanced diet, offering nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins, particularly A and B12.
However, it's also high in saturated fat and sodium, so moderation is key.
However, there are some kinds of cheese that are healthier than the rest and make the indulgence almost guilt-free.
Take a look.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a soft white cheese with high moisture content. It originated in Italy and is usually made from Italian buffalo's or cow's milk. Mozzarella cheese can be considered a relatively healthy choice, especially when compared to other types of cheese.
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It's lower in fat and calories, and it's a good source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Mozzarella also contains bacteria that act as probiotics, including strains of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum.
Mozzarella tastes delicious in caprese salad, which is made with fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar. It can also be added to many other dishes.
Feta cheese
Feta is a soft, salty white cheese originally from Greece.
It's typically made from sheep's or goat's milk. Sheep's milk gives feta a tangy and sharp taste, while goat's milk feta is milder. Feta cheese can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. It's a good source of protein, calcium, and some vitamins, and it can contribute to bone health and potentially gut health. However, it's also high in sodium and saturated fat, so it's important to be mindful of portion sizes, especially for individuals with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Because feta is packaged in brine to preserve freshness, it can be high in sodium. However, it is typically lower in calories than most other cheeses.
To add feta cheese to your diet, you can try crumbling it over salads, adding it to eggs, or whipping it into a dip to eat with fresh vegetables.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that has a gritty texture and a salty, nutty flavor. It's made from raw, unpasteurized cow's milk that is aged for at least 12 months to kill harmful bacteria and produce a complex flavor.
Parmesan cheese can be considered healthy due to its nutritional benefits. It's a good source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus, which support bone health and muscle function. Parmesan is also rich in vitamins like A and B12, and it's relatively low in lactose, making it a potentially easier-to-digest option for those with lactose sensitivity.
Grated Parmesan can be added to pastas and pizzas. You can also sprinkle it on eggs or spread slices on a cheese board with fruit and nuts.
Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a soft, white cheese made from the loose curds of cow's milk. It's thought to have originated in the United States. Cottage cheese is generally considered a healthy food. It's a good source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and phosphorus. Its high protein content can contribute to feelings of fullness, potentially aiding in weight management.
Adding cottage cheese to your diet may not only help you feel fuller after meals and reduce your calorie intake, but it also tastes great spread on toast, blended into smoothies, added to scrambled eggs, or used as a base for dips.
Ricotta cheese
Ricotta is an Italian cheese made from the watery parts of the milk of cows, goats, sheep, or Italian water buffalo that are left over from making other cheeses. Ricotta has a creamy texture and is often described as a lighter version of cottage cheese. Ricotta cheese can be a healthy food choice, especially when part of a balanced diet. It's a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamins like A, B12, and riboflavin. However, it's important to be mindful of its saturated fat and sodium content, particularly in whole milk varieties.
Opting for part-skim or low-fat ricotta can help reduce these.
Ricotta cheese tastes delicious in salads, scrambled eggs, pasta, and lasagna. It can also be used as a base for creamy dips or served with fruit for a sweet-and-salty snack.
Swiss cheese
Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland. This semihard cheese is typically made from cow's milk and features a mild, nutty taste. Swiss cheese can be part of a healthy diet. It's a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin B12, and it's relatively low in fat and sodium compared to some other cheese varieties.
Swiss cheese and other alpine cheeses, such as Emmental and Gruyere, are lower in carbs than many other types of cheese. This may be desirable for people who have diabetes or are following a ketogenic diet.
To incorporate Swiss cheese into your diet, you can eat it with fruit or add it to sandwiches, egg bakes, burgers, or French onion soup.
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