As you probably guessed from the title and the picture, this edition of Health Spotlight is all about… CHEESE!

Why?

Because cheese is one of the oldest man-made foods out there – it’s so old in fact that we don’t even know when humans first started making it because it PREDATES recorded history!

It’s thought that people began making cheese over 10,000 years ago and it’s a common thread across the world – nearly every culture on the planet makes some form of cheese…

That’s why there’s so many different varieties…

And I’ll tell you all about the healthiest (and my favorite) types of cheese a little later in this article (PLUS a delicious cheese-forward recipe), but first, let’s get the big question out of the way…

Is Cheese Good For You?

Saying cheese is healthy can be a somewhat controversial statement…

Some doctors believe that it can have inflammatory effects, but in my own research, I’ve found no such thing and I believe that…

Yes, cheese is incredibly healthy… when you eat it in moderation.

Now, cheese does have a lot of calories, but what it doesn’t have are “empty calories” or carbohydrates that convert to sugar inside your body.

Instead, it’s a nutrient-packed blast of many things your body needs to be healthy:

• Calcium
• Protein
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin K
• Zinc
• Phosphorous

And much more!

One of the common complaints against cheese is the idea that it’s a definite no-go if you’re lactose intolerant…

But even that’s not completely correct.

If you have a lactose intolerance, then you probably want to steer clear of overly processed cheeses like American, which can do a number on your stomach…

However, there are plenty of natural, aged cheeses that are actually low in lactose and can be eaten without issue by people with lactose sensitivities. Some examples are Parmesan, Cheddar, Blue Cheese, and Muenster.

The “Hidden” Health Benefits of Cheese

Nearly everyone knows that the calcium in cheese is good for your bones, teeth, and nails, but cheese is more than just calcium…

And some of the health benefits it has may come as a shock.

For example, did you know that cheese…

• Helps You Lose Weight and Stay Slim?

I mentioned the caloric density above, which means you’ll feel full faster, but cheese also has a component called butyrate that speeds up your metabolism. Not only that, but it also promotes MORE butyrate production in your digestive system for a compounded effect.

• Fights Against Type 2 Diabetes?

The same butyrate that helps you control your weight has another function as well – it improves how your body uses insulin. With this added effectiveness, you need less insulin to manage your blood sugar and have a much lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.

• Prevents Heart Disease and Other Heart Problems?

Another substance in cheese is conjugated linoleic acid, which has been proven to help prevent heart disease. Furthermore, the CLA improves your circulation and your entire cardiovascular system.

So with all that in mind, it’s clear that cheese is an excellent addition to your diet…

But there’s an issue…

Because not all cheese is created equally… and there’s a good chance that the cheese you’re buying in the supermarket isn’t the healthy kind…

That’s why I wanted to give you a list of the healthiest types of cheeses out there, as well as a few you might want to avoid…

A Quick Guide to Healthy Cheese

One of the great things about cheese is the vast variety…

From soft French chevre made from goat’s milk to Middle Eastern feta to hard cheeses like Parmesan that have been aged for years – the range of flavors is nearly infinite.

However, there are also inferior cheeses and to be honest, it’s pretty obvious when what you’re eating isn’t a healthy variety.

For starters, you’ll want to avoid most American and cream cheese types, which have undergone such heavy processing that most of the good nutrients have been stripped out…

And you’ll also want to skip the shredded cheese options – in general, these are of lesser quality and it only takes a minute to shred your own from a high-quality cheese block.

On the other hand, the good news is that healthy cheeses far outweigh their unhealthy cousins, and you can find them at any local grocery store – just buy whole blocks whenever possible and always choose longer-aged cheeses…

Here’s a few of the healthiest cheeses to try:

• Fresh Mozzarella
• Fresh Ricotta
• Parmesan
• Blue Cheese (yes, the mold is healthy)
• Cheddar
• Feta
• Swiss
• Stilton
• And all Goat Cheeses

Just remember that as with most foods, moderation is the key – eating too much of anything can have some negative health effects, including cheese.

Now, if you’re just getting into cheese, I have the perfect recipe to experiment with different varieties and discover your favorite…

Healthy Cheese, Tomato, and Apple Salad

For years, this recipe has been a staple side in our household (especially in summer when tomatoes are completely ripe)…

And the only thing that’s changed is the type of cheese we use…

That’s because my salad recipe lets the cheese shine and every different cheese you use will give a different overall flavor. My favorite has to be Danish blue cheese, but the truth is I haven’t found a cheese that didn’t work in this recipe…

Ingredients (serves 3-4 as a side)

• 10 oz. of your favorite cheese cubed
• 1 Granny Smith apple cored and diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes diced
• 1 cucumber diced
• ½ red onion diced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a medium or large salad bowl.
2. Let sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes so all ingredients reach the same temperature.
3. Mix and serve!

And that’s all there is to it…

As I said, this recipe highlights the cheese you’re using and I can’t count how many different cheeses I’ve tried that fit perfectly with the other ingredients, from shaved Parmesan to creamy Gouda…

Try it out and I’m sure you’ll add it to your quick salad repertoire…

Say CHEESE!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Health Spotlight on Cheese and I look forward to sending you more of these types of articles in the future…

Let me know what you think!

And if you want to boost your health naturally, I recommend you…