Eating healthy doesn't have to mean quitting cheese—at least not completely. Just pick the healthiest cheese and eat it in moderation!
7 Healthy Cheeses to Add to Your Shopping List
Updated on Apr. 13, 2023
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Parmesan
You only need a little Parmesan for a lot of flavor, which makes this cheese a great option for flavoring your meals. (Start with our classic Italian recipes!) Plus, Parmesan’s packed with more calcium than any other cheese, is high in protein and contains only 22 calories per tablespoon.
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Cottage Cheese
There’s a reason cottage cheese is a staple on fruit plates and salad bars: it’s a low-sodium, high-protein snack that’s fun to eat and fills you up. On top of that, cottage cheese is high in calcium, and some studies have even shown it helps with weight loss.
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Ricotta
A staple in many Italian desserts, ricotta is not only creamy and comforting, but it’s also a great source of calcium. In fact, a cup of ricotta gives you half of your daily calcium needs. Other benefits: this soft cheese is high in phosphorous, vitamin A, B vitamins and zinc.
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Feta
There are a couple reasons why feta makes a healthy cheese choice. Its super strong flavor means you can use less of it in a dish. It’s lower in calories and fat than most other cheeses. Plus, feta provides four grams of protein in every ounce!
Use crumbled feta to top one of our favorite Greek recipes.
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String Cheese
Kids and adults alike enjoy the on-the-go pleasure of portable string cheese. But, more than that, from a health standpoint, it’s a great, protein-packed snack. When made with 100% mozzarella, string cheese is an unprocessed, natural snack choice with seven grams of protein per ounce.
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Goat Cheese
It’s hard to believe when you’re spreading some on a cracker, but the creamy tang of goat cheese is actually not its only asset. This beloved cheese is lower in lactose than cow’s milk cheeses, so it can be easier to digest than cow’s milk varieties. It’s also high in protein, calcium and iron.
This is a great addition to a cheese board—here’s how to build a perfect spread for your next party!
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Pecorino Romano
Similar to Parmesan but made from sheep’s milk instead of cow’s milk, Pecorino is a hard, salty cheese great for grating over side salads or healthy pasta. Even better, it’s a cheese that offers a boost of protein, calcium and vitamins A, B2, B12, niacin, D, zinc and phosphorous.
