The Least Healthy Kinds Of Cheese

What are the least healthy kinds of cheese? Many people love all kinds of cheeses but no matter what, it’s not the healthiest of food choices. It’s worth mentioning that moderation is key when it comes to almost any kind of food. Cheese happens to be rich in nutrients like calcium and protein, but because it's high in fat, it has a lot of calories. That doesn’t necessarily mean giving it up. Certain cheeses are healthier than others.

To help health-conscious eaters know which cheeses to avoid or only eat occasionally, Mashed, a foodie news website compiled a list of the most unhealthiest kinds of cheeses you can buy at the grocery store. They looked into the nutrition of cheeses, like fat and sodium, as well as chemicals and additives in cheeses.

Luckily, the cheese selection at many grocery stores has plenty of options to choose from. “Certain soft cheeses pack a lot of saturated fat. Hard cheeses like feta and Parmesan have lower fat content but are high in sodium,” said the outlet.

First on their list is American cheese. American cheese is made by melting cheeses like Cheddar, Colby, and Swiss together and combining the mixture with an “emulsifying agent.” American cheese is usually sold in slices and can be white, yellow, or light orange. It has a mild, creamy, and salty taste and melts really well, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches or burgers. The website points out that American cheese is heavily processed, which makes it one of the least healthy cheeses you can buy at the grocery store.

“Most cheeses are preservative-free and only contain natural ingredients. Since American cheese is a blend, it uses binding agents like tricalcium phosphate to prevent caking,” they said. “Preservatives like sorbic acid and lactic acid are also added,” they added. According to Wisconsin Cheeseman, American cheese is not a “true cheese,” but rather a "pasteurized processed cheese food."

Second on their list is a cheese I’m not quite familiar with, mascarpone cheese. Apparently, it’s a spreadable cheese that’s smooth and fluffy. It works well in anything from lasagna, mashed potatoes, cheesecake, and tiramisu. The ranking indicates that it’s high in saturated fat, over 70%. One ounce of this mascarpone has 13 grams of fat, 7.7 grams of saturated fat, and 0.2 grams of trans fat.

Third on their list is double Gloucester. It’s firm, crumbly cheese that is orange in color with a creamy, nutty taste. They highlighted how it’s one of the most fattening cheeses you can buy. Double Gloucester is made with full-fat milk and aged for around four months.

Other cheeses mentioned on the ranking include Brunost, cheese from a can or jar, brie, stilton, pre-grated Parmesan, and others. See the full ranking here.