7 Cheese & Cheese Spread nutrition facts

Isn’t cheese just wonderful? It’s the highlight of any sandwich, the perfect mid-afternoon snack, and simply divine when melted into pasta. Mmmm, it really is one of life’s little luxuries. But as well as wondering why I’m laughing (that’s my little secret, by the way), there’s one other thing that people are constantly asking me: ‘Is cheese good for you?’

Well, that’s why I’m here today. I’m happy to tell you that when consumed in moderation, cheese is an integral part of a healthy balanced diet! But you don’t have to just take my word for it. Below are my favourite seven facts about all the brilliant nutrients in cheese, plus a few more about my incredibly tasty cheese spread for good measure (if you are wondering, you can find out what the difference is here)

Calcium contributes to normal bone health, muscle function and normal digestion

Know what mineral you’ll find the most of in your body? Calcium, of course – a true staple of dairy foods! We all know how important good old calcium is for strong teeth and bones, but its benefits don’t stop there. Calcium contributes to normal muscle function, it also contributes to normal blood coagulation and energy yielding metabolism, and wait for it: the normal function of digestive enzymes, which is fab news for your tummy. I’ve put together a list of some other great sources to enjoy alongside cheese, as variety is the key to a balanced, healthy diet.

The fat in cheese isn’t all bad

Hands up if you’ve ever avoided cheese because you’re worried about the fat content? Not me – I’m more of a grass fan anyway! But you should know that fat isn’t all bad. In fact, a small amount of fat is actually necessary as part of a healthy diet, as it’s a source of essential fatty acids which the body can’t make itself. However if you’re trying to reduce the fat in your diet, you can always try my Extra Light cheese spread. It’s so angelic, it’s officially classed as low in fat! Find out more about the fat in different kinds of cheeses and cheese spread here

After getting your sweat on, refuel with cheese

You’ve just finished a killer workout – go you!  Are you looking for protein, as this nutrient contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass? Once again, you won’t be surprised that I recommend cheese. Emmental contains 30g of protein per 100g, for example, and Mini Babybel contains 23g of protein per 100g! To make things even easier, I’ve put together a list of the highest protein cheeses for you too. Bring on the biceps

Cheese is low in carbs

As well as being a good source of protein, cheese is naturally very low in carbohydrates. I very much doubt you needed an excuse, but that makes eating cheese a great way to regulate your carb intake. Cheddar has just 0.1g carbs per 100g and it’s recommended that we get at least 260g every day. And while cheese spread can often have a higher carb content, my Light cheese spread is a fantastic dairy snack with 6g carbs per 100g.

The calorie content of dairy products can vary widely

When it comes to calories, not all cheeses are created equally. Hard cheeses are generally higher in calories than soft cheeses; for example, feta has 250 calories per 100g while Parmesan weighs in with 415 calories. My dreamy Extra Light cheese spread is lighter on the calories than both of these, with 116 calories per 100g. Interested in seeing how many calories other cheeses are packing? You’re in luck – I’ve created a list of the calories in cheese here.

So there you go! As if you needed another reason to enjoy a deliciously creamy triangle… Which one of my delicious snacks will you grab next?

You can find more information about how The Laughing Cow cheese spread is made here