Enjoy a slice of cheese

Cheese is nutritious food made mostly from the milk of cows but also other mammals, including sheep, goats, buffalo, reindeer, camels and yaks. Around 4000 years ago people have started to breed animals and process their milk. That's when the cheese was born.Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium. 

Since protein curbs hunger and keeps you feeling satisfied after meals and snacks, cheese can help you to lose weight. As part of a well-rounded nutrition plan, the protein in cheese can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates eaten at the same meal or snack and therefore help balance your blood-sugar levels and improve mood as well.

Sodium and cholesterol are the two elements mainly considered harmful in hypertension and hypertensive people are advised to avoid them. Here, cheese should be viewed critically. The fat content of the cheese depends very much on the quality of the milk, full fat or full cream, low fat or fat free. In general, high fat cheeses are more popular as they are tastier. But, keeping in view the public demand, low fat cheeses are also being introduced to the market. So, you need to be choosy while picking them. Then, the sodium. Although, the sodium content of cheeses varies according to the amount of salt added to the milk prior to cheese formation, still it is never that low to be recommended for hypertensive people, as salt is an inevitable part of cheese. Although, a low sodium and low fat cheese is helpful in reducing homocysteine, an agent which is often related with heart diseases. 

Another thing in cheese that can help hypertensive people is the vitamin-B content.

Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and can be part of a healthy diet if you choose fat-free or reduced-fat varieties. (Full-fat cottage cheese contains extra calories and saturated fat, which can increase cholesterol levels and contribute to weight gain if eaten in excess.) Cottage cheese is also a good source of selenium, an antioxidant that can help prevent arthritis, and vitamin B12, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and memory loss.

Swiss cheese is a good source of protein and calcium, but it is also calorie-dense and high in saturated fat, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and memory loss, not to mention impede your weight-loss efforts. Choosing reduced-fat or fat-free Swiss cheese is a great way to take advantage of its nutritional benefits while minimizing unhealthy extras. The calcium in Swiss cheese helps maintain healthy blood pressure.

One serving of cheese is one and one-half ounces for hard cheeses (about the size of six dice); two ounces for processed cheeses. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that individuals ages nine and older consume at least three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt each day.