Should Cheese Be In Your Diet?
By Genevieve Cunningham
Cheese is a guilty pleasure for a lot of people. It's just so, so good. It's versatile, easy, filling, and satisfies the taste buds. Even when you don't like a particular meal, you can often throw some cheese on it and make it tolerable. But is it healthy? Cheese has a complicated reputation. Some tout the benefits of eating cheese while clothes swear it needs to be deleted from a healthy diet. What's the truth? If you love eating cheese in your regular diet, take a look at what you need to know to stay healthy.
Good Reasons to Keep It In Your Diet
It's true that cheese has some health benefits that make it worth keeping in your diet. This is probably good news for all the cheese lovers out there! Cheese is a good source of calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth. It also provides your body with a healthy dose of protein, an essential for strong muscles. You might also get Vitamins A and B, zinc, and healthy fats. When consumed in moderation and with a diet full of other healthy foods, cheese can bring plenty of benefits into your health and life.
Why You Should Watch Out
Like any other food, you have to be careful about the amount of cheese you consume. If you're lactose intolerant, you already know that you should avoid cheese. The same is true if you suffer from slow digestion, as cheese can slow it down even more due to its lack of fiber. Some argue that cheese contains too much fat for a regular diet, so if you're watching your fat intake, be aware. Finally, cheese is heavy in calories, especially for its relative size. If you're watching calories or trying to lose weight, you'll need to minimize your consumption.
What's the Conclusion?
The final decision on cheese should be specific to your body and its needs. If you eat cheese in extreme moderation, you're probably fine. But ask your doctor or healthcare professional if you have any questions. The best way for long-term health is a well-balanced diet, so make decisions -- about cheese and everything else -- with your body and health in mind. With caution and planning, you can improve your diet and health for years to come.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Mo.