Calories in Cheese

Cheese is used for everything from snacks and appetizers to main courses and desserts. It can be accompanied by fresh ripe fruit such as apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, fresh figs, or melon. Even thin sliced onions are a delightful accompaniment. Fat gives cheese its rich texture and delicious taste, but it also adds calories and cholesterol. About 70 to 80 percent of the calories in cheese come from fat. Non-fat ricotta and cottage cheese are low in fat and calories. It is difficult to accurately determine the calorie content per portion as size differs between individuals and products, therefore the values are displayed for comparison purposes.

Cheese is good source of calcium and to have the right amount of calcium in your diet, drink three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk every day, or have eight ounces of fat-free yogurt and 2-3 ounces of low-fat cheese each day.

Despite the high nutritional content of cheese, most people – especially those with a weight or cholesterol problem – should use it as an occasional treat or garnish rather than as a staple food. As in most cases however, moderation is the key.

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