Is cheese OK for high blood pressure?

Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium but is often high in saturated fat and salt. This means eating too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

bhf.org.uk - 7 cheese facts that will surprise you - Heart Matters - BHF

Should I drink super greens everyday?

How many times a day can you drink supergreens? We like sticking to one or perhaps two servings daily, since each small serving packs a big punch...

Last updated Jul 8, 2018

What can you eat at night?

Savory Late-Night Snacks Popcorn. When winding down before bed with a bag of popcorn and a show, you may wonder, is popcorn a good late-night...

Last updated Jan 15, 2020

Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

7 cheese facts that will surprise you

From "cheese addiction" to whether goats' cheese is better for you, we reveal the truth behind popular cheese misconceptions. Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium but is often high in saturated fat and salt. This means eating too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the UK, the standard portion size is 30g (the size of a small matchbox or two-and-a-half dominoes). Your daily diet should feature three 30g portions of dairy products, and cheese alone won’t do. It’s fine to enjoy it sensibly though. Here’s how:

REALITY

You don’t have to cut cheese out of your diet, but if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, use high-fat cheeses sparingly. A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories and there can be more salt in a portion of cheddar than in a packet of crisps.

Keep cheese portions small and weigh them to reduce temptation

Some types of roquefort, halloumi, feta and cheese singles are saltier than seawater. Cheese contains calcium and protein, so it can be OK in moderation, but remember: low-fat yoghurt, tinned fish, tofu, lentils and beans are good sources of calcium and protein too. Keep cheese portions small and weigh them to reduce temptation. Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat. Our table at the end of the page shows how the fat content of different cheeses compares. Get more detail about the fat and salt content of different cheeses in our guide to "The good, the bad and the ugly" of cheeses. Cooking from scratch helps too, as convenience foods often contain higher-fat cheeses. Take time to stop and ask if your dish really needs cheese at all. We’re here for you with information and support around coronavirus Our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter includes the latest updates about coronavirus when you have a heart condition, as well as support for healthy eating, staying active and your emotional wellbeing. I’d like to sign up

REALITY

Do you put carrots in water after peeling?

When storing peeled carrots, you'll need to provide moisture to prevent them from cracking, turning white, and drying out. Using this method,...

Last updated May 16, 2019

What makes me to lose weight?

Weight loss can result from a decrease in body fluid, muscle mass, or fat. A decrease in body fluid can come from medications, fluid loss, lack of...

Last updated Jun 14, 2018

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

It’s a common misconception that reduced fat equals reduced flavour. Experiment with different brands to find one you like. Remember: ‘reduced fat’ isn’t necessarily ‘low fat’, it just means 25 per cent less fat than the original. Check the label to see whether the fat content is high (more than 17.5g/100g), medium (3.1–17.5g/100g) or low (3g or less/100g). You can also cook and bake with reduced-fat cheese, although reduced-fat varieties of hard cheeses may take longer to melt. Grate it finely and melt over a low heat. Sometimes these cheeses produce a skin when baked or grilled, so add them near the end of the baking time.

REALITY

Research suggests that casein – a protein found in dairy products and highly concentrated in cheese –releases opiates called casomorphins as it digests. These opiates can signal comfort to the brain indirectly via hormones. However, a review by the European Food Safety Authority questioned whether casomorphins can be transferred through the intestine to the bloodstream or brain. If you eat a lot of cheese, you may become accustomed to the salty flavour or the habit of having it at a certain time of day, so be aware of patterns in your eating and reduce your intake gradually.

REALITY

Cheese is a good source of calcium: a 30g portion of cheddar provides over a quarter of an adult’s daily requirements. However, other dairy products, such as yoghurt and milk, are just as good for the bones and much lower in fat and salt. Cheese also contains a small amount of vitamin D, the fat-soluble vitamin that helps us absorb calcium from food. Lower-fat dairy products such as semi-skimmed milk do not contain as much vitamin D as fuller-fat cheese, but eggs, oily fish and fortified cereals (providing they’re low in sugar) are better sources anyway.

REALITY

Soft goat’s cheese contains about 26g of fat per 100g, similar to brie and edam, and about as much salt as camembert. Goat’s cheese is considered a ‘high-fat’ product – mozzarella and ricotta are lower in fat, as is feta, which traditionally is made from sheep's milk or sheep and goat's milk. (See our table at the end of this page for a comparison of the fat content of different cheeses). Goat’s cheese is touted as being better for people with lactose intolerance than soft cheeses made from cow’s milk. It actually has a similar lactose content to other semi-soft cheeses such as brie or feta, but is lower in lactose than wetter cheeses like ricotta and cottage cheese.

How can I brighten my skin permanently?

7 Simple Tips To Attain A Bright, Even Complexion: Eat Nutritious Food. The first and foremost factor that defines a healthy, glowing skin is your...

Last updated Apr 23, 2021

How long does pigmentation take to fade after laser?

Pigment will darken for 1-3 weeks following the treatment, then will begin to fade. Immediately following a laser session, you may experience...

Last updated Sep 28, 2019

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Get our recipe for goats' cheese and red onion bruschetta.

REALITY

Grating cheese on your spaghetti bolognese adds extra calories, saturated fat and salt. A generous handful of cheddar could easily weigh 50g, adding 230kcal (more than 10 per cent of your daily requirement). Two level tablespoons of grated cheddar is about 20g. Avoid using your hands to grab a large sprinkling, as you may add too much. To get that tasty cheese flavour while avoiding excess calories, use a smaller serving of a vintage or mature cheddar.

Get our recipe for spaghetti bolognese.

REALITY

It is true that most people use less cheese when they grate it. A pre-cut slice of cheese usually weighs 20–30g and most people use many slices in a sandwich. But even if you’re grating cheese into sauces, toasties or jacket potatoes, you should still watch your portion size, as it’s easy to have too much. Once cheese is grated, it’s difficult to equate it to a healthy matchbox-size portion. Weigh it out next time to check how good your guess is. Another common habit is to eat the knob of cheese that’s too small to grate. If this knob weighs 5g and you eat one twice a week, you will consume a whole day’s extra calories each year.

Read our 7 times to say no to cheese.

bhf.org.uk - 7 cheese facts that will surprise you - Heart Matters - BHF

How do you know if your body is in detox?

The signs your body is detoxing occur quite rapidly after stopping the substance — sometimes within hours. ... Signs of Detox Anxiety....

Last updated Apr 9, 2021

Should your poop sink or float?

Healthy Poop Should Sink in the Toilet Floating stools are often an indication of high fat content, which can be a sign of malabsorption, a...

Last updated Nov 23, 2018

Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

What are the main dangers of laser levels?

Exposure to high level lasers may cause depigmentation, severe burns and possible damage to underlying organs. High-powered lasers may also cause...

Last updated Jun 17, 2018

Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

What foods cause type 2 diabetes?

These four food types increase your risk of type 2 diabetes: Heavily processed carbohydrates. ... Drinks sweetened with sugar. ... Saturated and...

Last updated Jul 19, 2019