Cheese is everywhere. It can be sprinkled on your pasta, in your omelet, in a sandwich or even on your salads. With so many types of cheese to choose from, it’s easy to scoop, scatter, or smash a slice into your meals every day. While cheese has both a good and bad reputation for impacting your health, if you’re looking to lose weight, you may be wondering what dairy can do for your waistline.
CHEESE THICKENS THE WAIST CIRCLE
Dietitian Lisa Young warns that cheese can have a negative effect on waist circumference. Dr. “Cheese can be both good for your waistline and bad for your waistline, depending on how you include it in your diet,” explains Young. She states that the two positive aspects of cheese are that it provides protein and that it helps to lose weight.
HOW DOES CHEESE LOSE WEIGHT?
Protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, so it stays in your stomach longer and makes you feel fuller for longer. This can help you avoid unwanted snacking or overeating at your next meal, two factors that can potentially lead to weight gain.
If you’re looking for a protein-rich cheese, try low-fat cottage cheese. One cup contains about 24 grams of protein.
TOO MUCH CHEESE CAN DAMAGE
But too much cheese can have the opposite effect. Dr. “The calories in cheese add up quickly, which can thicken your waistline. Cheese can contribute to weight gain when consumed carelessly at a cocktail party or when you cut thick slices,” Young says.
In addition, a study published in the journal Nutrients showed that excessive intake of milk containing cheese increases body weight in adults aged 18 to 50 years. Young also recommends not adding thin slices or grated cheese to your meal when eating other protein-rich foods.