When you’re thinking of cutting back on fatty dairy as part of your diet, cheese should be the first on your list. However, cheese is rich in calcium, and if you’re dealing a calcium deficiency, you’re more likely to gain weight, among other health issues, including osteoporosis.
Reduced-fat cheeses can be the right choice for you, but if you’d rather stick to more natural options with less fat and calories, try a few of these nutritious picks for the title of the best cheese for weight loss.
Swiss – 106 Calories
A 28 g slice of Swiss cheese has less fats and calories than cheddar, and it’s also one of the healthiest cheese options thanks to its high content of vitamin B12. One serving also include 8 g fats and 8 g protein, along with plenty of calcium and phosphorus. If you’re looking for a delicious slice of melted cheese for your sandwich, swiss should be one of your top choices.
Monterey Jack – 104 Calories
Get 20% of your recommended daily calcium intake with a 28 g slice of Monterey Jack. Still to the basic variety if you want to much on one of the best cheeses for weight loss. If you’re going for pepperjack, which added hot peppers, you’re more likely to overeat. While hot pepper can help your weight loss efforts, the extra calories will not. One serving contains 8 g fats and 7 g protein.
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) – 102 Calories
Most hard cheeses have more saturated fat than soft ones, so give this tasty and healthy cheese a try. Goat cheese is semisoft, and one serving contain 8 g fat and 6 g protein. It’ll set you back 102 calories, but it also delivers calcium, phosphorous and riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2). Try a slice of chèvre with your vegetable salad.
More: Healthier Alternatives to Cow’s Milk
Blue – 99 Calories
If you love blue cheese, good news, it’s a top contended for the title best cheese for weight loss, as long as you don’t overindulge. A single slice of 28 g goes under 100 calories. It contains 8 g fat and 6 g protein, but blue cheese salad dressing has a lot more fats than the cheese. However, it’s also richer in sodium than other cheeses.
Brie – 94 Calories
When you’re craving a cheesy treat with a buttery texture, a slice of brie is a great choice. It’s not fattier than other cheeses, with only 8 g fat per serving, and it also includes healthy riboflavin and vitamin B12. However, it shouldn’t be your only source of calcium, since it contains less of this weight loss aiding mineral than other types of cheese.
Robiola – 90 Calories
Another soft cheese, robiola is the Italian equivalent of Brie, and it could be considered one of the top contenders for the best cheese for weight loss. With just 90 calories per slice, robiola cheese is also lighter when it comes to protein, with just 4.5 g, but it has as much fat as other similar cheeses around the 100 calorie mark, 8 g.
Feta – 75 Calories
If you’re looking for even less fats in your cheese, feta only has 6 grams of fat. The traditional Greek variety is made from goat or sheep’s milk, which makes it more nutritious. You’re more likely to find feta made from cow’s milk, with 4 g protein per serving. If you want to enjoy it more often, go for low fat feta, with around 3 g fats per serving.
See also: The Best Natural Diuretics
Mozzarella (Part Skim) – 71 Calories
Packed with calcium and phosphorous, fresh mozzarella is definitely one of the best cheeses for weight loss. It only has 4 g fat for a serving, along with 7 g protein. However, those nutritional values apply to fresh mozzarella balls. If you prefer this type of cheese as stick, you’ll get the same amount protein, but 86 calories and 6 g fat.
Ricotta (Part Skim) – 29 Calories
A truly low calorie option, part skim ricotta only has 2 g of fat per serving, but its nutritional value is also lighter, with less calcium and just 3 g protein. If you prefer the whole milk, you’ll get twice as much fat in a single serving and almost double the calories.
Cottage – 20 Calories
The best cheese for weight loss, cottage cheese provides 3 g protein in a single serving, with very little fat. It contains more sodium than most cheeses, but you can easily find low-sodium options.