What Kind Of Cheese Can You Eat If You Are On A Keto Diet?
As keto dieters, we usually need help with a restaurant menu. We avoid sugar and starchy carbs to lose fat and keep ourselves healthy. And while there are plenty of low-carb-friendly snacks, we are all still craving foods that are creamy and tasty, such as cheese!
But what types of cheese can we eat on keto? What kind of cheese is forbidden? This article will explain what kind of cheese is allowed and what cheese you should avoid.
Why Should You Eat Cheese On The Keto Diet?
Following a keto diet means severely limiting carbohydrate intake. Furthermore, keto dieters usually prioritize high-fat foods to make up for the calories lost when restricting carbs.
Therefore, cheese is an excellent choice for this diet because most types are high in fat, low in carbs, and moderate in protein (let’s not forget that protein is also important for this diet!)
But like any other diet, some cheeses are more suitable than others due to their fat levels. The chemicals and additives added to their processing are also crucial when analyzing the types of cheese you can eat.
The Best Cheeses To Eat On Keto
These cheeses are ideal for the keto diet because they have high-fat content and less processing.
Cheddar
Cheddar is a famous yellow cheese.
Variety flavors range from strong to mild, so most people can find a sort that meets their taste preferences.
A mild cheddar cheese contains 9 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates for every 1-ounce portion. Thus, it is suitable for the ketogenic diet.
It melts beautifully on sandwiches, lettuce-wrapped burgers, and low-carb bread. ]
This cheese has a wonderful combination of acidity and creaminess, which is why so many people love it!*
Gouda
Gouda is a mildly sweet, creamy, yellow-hued cow's milk cheese.
It fits nicely into the keto diet because it has 8 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and just 1 gram of carbs per 1-ounce (28-gram) meal.
You can use gouda as a topping for burgers or as an ingredient in your preferred keto mac and cheese recipe because it has a relatively low melting point.
Goat
Goat cheese sometimes called chevre, is a creamy cheese prepared from goat's milk. It has a sour flavor that has been described as gamy or earthy by some.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) portion contains 9 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and very few carbohydrates, making it an ideal keto-friendly cheese (3Trusted Source).
Although it doesn’t melt properly, it tastes well in appetizers, salads, casseroles, and omelets.
Additionally, compared to other types of cheese derived from cow's milk, goat cheese has a lower lactose content. As a result, those who are lactose intolerant might be able to digest it better.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is a special cheese. To get rich flavors and a creamy texture, it is produced with cultures of a particular mold.
Its keto-friendly nutritional composition offers 8 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, and 1 gram of carbohydrates per 1-ounce (28-gram) portion (5Trusted Source).
Fresh blue cheese works well in salads, when whipped into a dip, or when cooked into a sauce to go with steaks or vegetarian noodles.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is keto-friendly because it has a low net carb count and a high-fat content. It only contains 3.22g of net carbs per 100g serving.
It’s also minimally processed and free of harmful ingredients like highly refined oils and sweeteners.
Cheeses To Avoid
You should avoid high-carb cheeses if you’re on a ketogenic diet. Here are some examples.
Cottage
Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese created by separating the two principal milk proteins: casein curds and liquid whey.
Although cottage cheese is typically seen as a healthy cheese option, the keto diet doesn't work well with its nutrient profile.
Low-Fat Cheese
The name says it all! And as we already know, the keto diet focuses on high fat, low carb foods, so you should avoid low-fat cheese varieties.
If your goal is to gain energy with fat through ketosis, stick to full-fat cheese like cheddar and gouda.
Any Processed Cheese
Processed cheeses are another type of cheese you should probably stay away from if you're on a ketogenic diet.
American cheese, spray-can cheese, and other products with a combination of cheese and noncheese substances fall under this category.
They often contain a lot of fat, but they also frequently include additives that are absent from cheeses made organically.
Eat Without Guilt At Mesa’s Leading Keto-Friendly Restaurant
Are you on a keto diet and don’t know what to eat? Are you craving a creamy cheese but you’re not sure what cheese is better? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Make A Mac is a top-rated keto-friendly restaurant in Mesa that offers numerous options for you to enjoy your cheese without worries. You can visit our website to see our options or contact us to order something tasty. We’ll be happy to help!