10 Low Calorie Cheese For Dairy Lovers 🧀

If you’ve tried a weight loss or bodybuilding diet, you’ve probably eaten a meal or snack using cottage cheese. That’s because cottage cheese is the lowest-calorie cheese around and it’s high in protein.

It also contains a great source of nutrients including calcium, B vitamins, phosphorus and selenium.

However, not all cottage cheese is the same nutritionally. Some will have added sugar, salt, preservatives and thickeners. Some cottage cheese will also be predominately made of skim milk, whereas others will be full-cream milk-based.

Cottage cheese can be high in sodium which needs to be considered if you are eating it regularly. It pays to check the ingredients and nutrition information to compare products and find an option best for you.

Ricotta is one of the lowest-calorie cheeses at approximately 158 calories per 100g (depending on the brand). It’s typically made from cow’s milk whey, and some curd, so a good source of protein. Ricotta can also be made from sheep or goat’s milk.

Ricotta has a low glycemic index, rich in calcium and essential fatty acids, as well as antioxidants such as selenium.

Ricotta can be used sweet or savoury. Throw it in an omelette or scrambled eggs. Make a creamy dip to serve with veggie sticks or add a dollop onto toast. For a sweet dessert, serve ricotta with roasted peaches. Or mix it with some fresh berries finished with nuts and seeds.

Fetta is another soft, creamy cheese that is lower in calories. Fetta is typically made from sheep and goat’s milk which can be an option for those who can’t digest cow’s milk (it does, however, contain lactose).

Fetta is considered a low-fat cheese but is a good source of fatty acids that may be beneficial in heart health and weight loss. It’s no wonder, fetta cheese is featured regularly in the Meditteranean diet.

As salt is used when making fetta, some brands are high in sodium. Again, you must read the nutrition labels and ingredients to determine whether fetta is suitable for you.

Mozzarella offers a similar nutrient profile to the above soft cheeses – low in calories, containing protein, fat, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and selenium. It also contains sodium but is lower than many other cheese varieties.

Mozzarella is available whole or shredded. I always recommend opting for the whole form as the shredded varieties will contain preservatives and anti-caking agents to avoid the cheese pieces sticking and clumping together.

This cheese can be part of a healthy diet. It’s what you do with the mozzarella that has a bigger impact.

Made of cow’s milk, gouda is an aged cheese that varies in texture and flavour.

As with other cheeses, gouda contains a good source of calcium and protein. It also has a significant amount of dietary fats, vitamin B12, B5, B6, zinc and sodium.

Similarly, the nutrient content and ingredients will vary from brand to brand with some containing preservatives and colours. I generally suggest people steer clear of those cheeses that have been prepared in easy to eat forms like sliced or shredded. However, in this case, you can find some that don’t contain nasties like Woolworths Gouda Cheese Slices.

One thing to consider is it’s pretty easy to consume more than one serving of gouda and a large number of calories. If watching your calorie intake is important, measure out your portion before eating and put the rest of the block away out of reach!

Parmesan cheese, also known as Parmigiano Reggiano, packs a punch in flavour and nutrition.

Yes, it is higher in calories than many other kinds of cheese due to its high fat and protein content, but it has other benefits.

The fat itself is made up of medium and short-chain fatty acids which are easily absorbed by the body and used for energy. Parmesan cheese is also often used in small portions such as fine shavings on a salad or a sprinkle on top of pasta.

Most people find parmesan cheese easily digested as it’s lactose-free and considered safe for those with lactose intolerance. Say goodbye to bloating, gas and alternating bowel movements.

Blue cheese is arguably one of the most divisive options on the cheeseboard. In addition to its mould cultures, its overpowering smell and bold taste can put people off immediately.

In terms of nutrients, blue cheese sits in towards the higher end of our 10 lowest-calorie cheese list. It’s also particularly high in calcium and dietary fats as well as the nutrients phosphorous, vitamin A and zinc. Blue cheese is one of the higher options in sodium.

You can find a variety of blue cheeses available such as Roquefort, gorgonzola or danish blue. It’s also available in reduce-fat. The nutritional content of blue cheese will change depending on the option you select.

The good news is that many of the brands contain minimal ingredients with no preservatives and thickeners.

A classic cartoon cheese, Swiss cheese is a mild-tasting, low-calorie option made of cow’s milk. The holey form is actually caused by gas bubbles produced by the lactic bacteria.

As far as cheeses go, Swiss cheese is a great option in terms of ingredients with most containing minimal, natural ingredients. This is also the case with pre-sliced swiss cheese products.

Swiss cheese is also relatively low in sodium, but still high in protein which will keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Cheddar cheese is a popular variety for its versatility and taste. But it is higher in calories than many kinds of cheese as well as fat and sodium.

The increase in calories and fat does make it more satisfying and it can work well for those on a low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet. As a hard, aged cheese, cheddar can be easier for people to digest due to its lower lactose content.

Cheddar cheese does vary in quality. Steer clear of shredded or sliced cheddar due to the preservatives and anti-caking agents. I also recommend you put back the string cheese sticks and definitely pass on the singles due to the large number of artificial ingredients used.