Cream cheese and its benefits
Nutritional value of 1 tablespoon (14.5 g) cream cheese:
* Calorie content: 50.8
* Fat: 5 g
* Sodium: 46.5 mg
* Carbohydrates: 0.8 g
· Fiber: 0 g
* Sugar: 0.5 g
* Protein: 0.9 g
Regular cream cheese is often sold as a bar or in cans. You'll find it in the dairy department of most grocery stores.
One serving of cream cheese is about 1-2 tablespoons. According to this, one serving of about 2 tablespoons contains 100 calories.
But whipped cream cheese contains far fewer calories. Why? As the whipping process adds air to the cheese and whips it up, it seems like you'll get more cream cheese per serving of the same size. Some brands also add skim milk as an ingredient, which reduces the fat content.
So how do you compare calories? Whipped cream cheese "Philadelphia" indicates a serving size of 2 tablespoons on the package. According to the manufacturer, this amount provides 50 calories, 4.5 grams of fat and 3 grams of saturated fat.
The calorie content of cream cheese will also depend on what you buy. Sweet flavors, such as a berry or strawberry cream cheese mix, will contain fruit or fruit puree, which will increase both sugar and calories. In cheese with a savory taste, such as with garlic, salt may be added, so the sodium content will be slightly higher, but the caloric content will probably remain the same.
Carbohydrates
Cream cheese is very low in carbohydrates. One serving contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates (0.8 grams), mostly in the form of sugar. However, if you buy certain types of cream cheese, the carb content will increase.
Fats
Most of the fat in cream cheese is saturated fat. One serving of cream cheese contains 5 grams of total fat and 5 grams of saturated fat. There is also a small amount of polyunsaturated fat (0.2 grams) and monounsaturated fat (1.3 grams).
Protein
One serving of cream cheese contains just under 1 gram of protein (0.9 grams).
Trace elements
Cream cheese contains some vitamins and minerals. A small amount of vitamin A (44.7 IU), vitamin K (0.3 mcg), folic acid (1.3 mcg) and choline (3.9 mg).
Cream cheese minerals include calcium (14.1 milligrams), phosphorus (15.5 mg), magnesium (1.3 mg), potassium (19.1 mg), sodium (45.5 mg), and trace amounts of selenium.
Health benefits
Some people benefit from cream cheese because it has less fat and calories than butter. But this is not always the best choice.
In the battle between butter and cream cheese, your lower - calorie, lower-fat choice is cream cheese-if you compare slices of both products. But if you compare a variety of cream cheese with whipped or low-calorie butter, then cream cheese can be more fat and high in calories.
If you are trying to make a choice between butter and cream cheese in the morning, when preparing breakfast, you should consider not only the calories and fat content. The nutritional value of a cheese breakfast will depend on several factors:
· How much cheese you use.
Cream cheese is often easier to spread on toast. For this reason, it may be easier to use less cream cheese than butter. As a result, you will consume fewer calories and saturated fat. However, keep in mind that many people prefer a thicker layer of cream cheese than butter, which increases the calorie content.
· What kind of cheese you use.
If you use whipped cream cheese or a whipped version of butter, you will also reduce the number of calories.
* Where you spread the cheese.
Toasts on which you smear cheese are likely to contribute to the nutritional value of your food. White bread, baked goods, and bagels made from refined grains add carbohydrates, calories, and very little nutrition to your diet. Try choosing a serving of wholegrain bread or bagels instead. You can also spread a thin layer of cream cheese on celery sticks or other fruit or vegetable to make a hearty and nutritious option.
* Choose grass-fed cream cheese.
Scientific evidence has shown that dairy products from grass-fed cows have a better ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids compared to dairy products from cows under traditional and organic cultivation.
General questions
Is low-fat cream cheese healthier?
Low-calorie cream cheese contains one-third to one-half less fat than regular cream cheese. One serving of 1 tablespoon provides 2.5 grams of fat and 1.5 grams of saturated fat.
Can I freeze the cream cheese?
Cream cheese should remain tightly closed and cooled. You can freeze the cream cheese to use in recipes, but the texture will change. You probably won't want to spread it on toast after defrosting.
What is the best way to soften cream cheese for use in recipes?
When cream cheese is cold, it is difficult to work with it. The best way to soften it is to leave it for a short time at room temperature. But if you don't have time, just press the cheese down with a baking roller or the palm of your hand to soften it.
Recipes and cooking tips
If you love cream cheese, you can be creative to keep it in your healthy diet. You can find Greek cream cheese at your local store.
You can also control fat and calories. For example, if you usually like to eat a slice of bread with jam and cream cheese for breakfast, try this healthier option instead: spread a thin layer of whipped cream cheese on the bread and sprinkle with real fruit.
You will not only reduce the amount of fat, carbohydrates and calories, but also reduce the amount of sugar consumed by replacing jam with fruit.
Also on the Internet there are many recipes with cream cheese. Try a few of them!
Allergies and reactions
People who are allergic to dairy products or milk should avoid cream cheese, as it contains cow's milk. Symptoms of a milk allergy can range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives, and digestive problems. Exposure to milk can also cause anaphylaxis.
In addition, people with lactose intolerance should avoid cream cheese. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
