Starting a weight loss journey can be challenging, especially if you must forgo some of your favorite dishes. You have to keep it low on carbs and high on protein, but can I have cheese on a low-carb diet?
You can have cheese on a low-carb diet. This is because cheese is low in carbohydrates and perfectly suits your low-carb diet. However, cheeses vary in their carbohydrate content. So to consume minimum carbs from cheese, you must know cheeses that are low in carbs.
This article will reveal more about cheese and the low-carb diet. Also, you will learn about other types of cheeses and those that contain carbs in low amounts.
Does Cheese Have Carbs?
Yes, cheeses have carbs, but not so much. Cheese does not qualify as a carb source because it doesn’t meet the minimum quantity of carbs, which is 15 grams. Most cheeses contain about one gram of carb, and some do not have it at all. Cheese has other nutrients like fat, protein, etc.
Due to the variety of cheeses, some contain more carbs, others are low, and some do not have carbs. Cheese is mainly made from milk. Milk contains fat and proteins, which are the nutrients in cheese.
Should I Use Cheese On A Low-Carb Diet?
Yes, you can use cheese on a low-carb diet. When you are on a low-carb diet, you aim to control the amount of fat you will have stored in your body. So eating cheese will not increase your body fat increase. Low-carb diets include Keto and Atkins 20 diets.
Different kinds of cheeses have varying amounts of carbs. Hence, you should know cheeses that are low in carbohydrates. According to the USDA, goat cheese, brie, gruyere, and camembert are cheeses that are low in carbs. These cheeses contain about 0.1 grams of carbohydrates.
Other low-carb cheeses are grated Parmesan, mozzarella, Swiss, Gouda, and Roquefort. They have less than 1 gram of carbs. While cheeses with high carbs, American cheese, can or processed cheese, and ricotta are examples of high-carb cheeses.
Can You Have Cheddar Cheese On A Low-Carb Diet?
Yes, you can have cheddar cheese on a low-carb diet. Cheddar cheese is low in carbs and high in fat; its varieties range from mild to sharp. Consuming cheddar cheese will not be harmful if you are on a low-carb diet like Keto. A 50-gram of cheddar cheese contains about 1.07 grams of carbs.
Cheddar cheese is high in fats and proteins. It is usually processed with organic oils, and no sweeteners are added that would alter its natural taste and texture. You can add color to snacks with cheddar cheese. Also, you can pair cheddar cheese with other cheeses as a topping or sauce.
Is Mozzarella Cheese Good For A Low-Carb Diet?
Yes, mozzarella cheese is good for a low-carb diet. This is because some varieties of mozzarella cheese do not contain carbs, while others contain carbs in low amounts. The total carb in a mozzarella is between 0 to 2 grams in one serving. Fresh, burrata, scamorza, etc., are forms of mozzarella cheese.
The carb quantity in each mozzarella differs. For example, in a 1-ounce serving, scamorza and smoked mozzarella have 1 gram of carb. Part-skim (low-fat) and part-skim string mozzarella have no carbs.
Which Cheeses Are Best For A Low-Carb Diet?
Now that you know you can include cheese in your low-carb diet, your next findings should be on cheeses suitable for a low-carb diet. There are different kinds of cheeses with different textures and tastes. Goat cheese, Gouda, cream cheese, etc., are some cheeses that are best for a low-carb diet.
Not all cheeses are suitable for a low-carb diet. Below are some cheeses for a low-carb diet.
1. Goat Cheese
Goat cheeses are common; they have almost zero to a little carb. While they are high in protein and fat, their carb content is very little or absent. Goat cheeses are made from goat milk and are suitable for people allergic to lactose, as they are low in lactose.
Although goat cheese does not have a sweet taste, it remains a top cheese for a low-carb diet. Goat cheese has a piquant flavor; you can use goat cheese in frittatas, salads, casseroles, and omelets. You can consider goat cheese for your low-carb diet.
2. Gruyere Cheese
Gruyere is another cheese that should make it to your low-carb diet. In a one-ounce serving, gruyere cheese contains zero grams of carbs. Isn’t that amazing? So, if you want a cheese that blends with other ingredients like vegetables, contains high fat, and still will make it to your low-carb list, buy a gruyere cheese.
3. Brie Cheese
Getting hooked on a low-carb diet like Keto? Get brie cheese. This is because brie cheese contains about 0.1 grams of carbs and 8 grams of fat in a one-ounce serving of brie cheese. You can pair brie cheese with crackers, bread, or parmesan crisps.
4. Gouda
Gouda cheese can also make it to your list of low-carb ingredients or toppings. The cow-milk cheese is buttery and flavorful. It has high-fat content with about 1 gram of carbs in a 28-gram serving. You can use gouda cheese for your pizza or burger topping because of its low melting point.
5. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is a popular cheese. It contains about 1 gram of carbs in a one-ounce serving. It is obtained from buffalo milk. Its low melting point makes it a good pair with other ingredients. There are different varieties of mozzarella; however, low-moisture content is often preferred.
6. Swiss Cheese
You should not exclude swiss cheese from your low-carb diet. With a zero carb, you are sure there is a no-carb contribution from swiss cheese. Despite containing high fat, swiss cheese will not hamper your low-carb diet.
Cheeses That Are Not Good For A Low Carb Diet
Knowing the cheeses that will hinder your low-carb journey is also important. Below are some cheeses that should not make it to your low-carb diet.
1. Canned or Processed Cheese
If you want to start eating low-carb foods, you should avoid canned or processed cheese. This is because it contains additives and preservatives, which can harm your health. Even though processed cheese still contains about 2 grams of carbs, it can cause cancer or heart disease.
2. American Cheese
American cheese is not bad for a low-carb diet because one slice contains about 2 grams of carbs and 65 calories. But American cheese is processed cheese; hence, I don’t advise it for a low-carb diet because of chemicals added to preserve it.
3. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is another cheese you should not include in your low-carb diet. This is due to its high-carb content. Nine grams of carbs can be found in a 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese, which is very high.
Conclusion
Including cheese in your low-carb diet will not do any harm. However, you cannot include every cheese because some are high in fat while others are low in fat. I’m sure you now know the cheeses that can make it to your low-carb diet list. Well done!
