The right kind of cheese for a healthy heart

The right kind of cheese for a healthy heart

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, cheese is the top food source of cholesterol-raising fat in the American diet. It is not good news for fans of cheese, but do you have to give up mac and cheese forever to have good cholesterol?

It’s certainly an option, but what seems more reasonable is finding the cheeses that are best for your heart health instead. There are some excellent alternatives to cheeses that are high in cholesterol-raising fat. Let’s have a look at them, as well as some other solutions for high cholesterol:

Feta. Genuine feta cheese is Greek, usually made from sheep and goat’s milk. It has a beautiful creamy texture in the mouth, with a tangy, refreshing flavor. The best thing about it is that it’s good for you. Packed with nutrients, it’s low in fat and calories. The amount of calcium in feta supports bone health, and it also contains Lactobacillus Plantarum, which is good for the immune system and intestinal health.


Sharp cheddar. 1.5 ounces of cheddar cheese makes for one-third of the recommended daily intake of dairy for adults. Much like feta, it contains the right amount of essential nutrients, including calcium, protein, potassium, and vitamin D. They all help with lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Sharp cheddar cheese is a better option because you don’t need to use too much of it to get the flavor you need — so you’d be avoiding excessive amounts of saturated fat.


Fresh mozzarella. A staple of rich and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine, mozzarella cheese is a must in many delicious dishes. It brings a silky, soft texture and fantastic taste. However, it’s also a healthy cheese option. Mozzarella is an excellent source of Vitamin B7, B2, and B3, as well as fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin D, A, E, among other nutrients.

Goat. Goat cheese has a unique flavor which won’t be to everyone’s taste. It might be worth it to try, however, as it is one of the healthiest cheese options out there. With the number of healthy fats, probiotics, proteins, and calcium it contains, goat cheese is undoubtedly great for anyone concerned about cholesterol.

Cottage cheese. For everyone concerned about heart health, cottage cheese is a great option. Like other healthier cheeses, it contains potassium, which helps balance your blood pressure by affecting the amount of fluid that your body stores. It also contains folate, which is beneficial for pregnant women to have in their diet..

Lowering bad cholesterol can be done by changing your diet or turning to natural supplements that were made for that purpose. Consult with your doctor before you make the final decision.

James Price is the chief executive officer of Cholesterade, a maker of food supplements for lowering cholesterol and other health benefits.