Surprising revelation: cheese outshines fish and cooked meat in protein content!

A protein-rich diet is essential to maintain balance. Although most of us are aware of how important protein is, you may be tired of the typical options and want to find some fun and new ways to incorporate it into your diet. Maybe you’ve decided to become a vegetarian and want to make sure you’re hitting all the protein you need. Of course, cheese is a good source of protein. As much (or more) protein per ounce can be found in many forms of meat or fish.

When considering dietary changes it is important to make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet. According to Medline Plus, proteins are complex molecules that are essential for the structure of the body and the control of its tissues and organs. These proteins provide many functions, including facilitating chemical processes, signaling cells, and protecting the body from external threats. Your body can be out of balance and your ability to build muscle can be hampered by insufficient protein intake.

Try some cheeses that are higher in protein than meat and fish so you can start your new diet with confidence. Find out what other benefits eating more cheese has.

Read more: 12 Sources Of Healthy Fats You Should Be Eating

Pressed Cheese Is Packed With Protein

When you browse the cheese section of your neighborhood grocery store, you can’t help but think of the variety of cheeses. You go for the package of shredded cheddar cheese you like and go to the cashier. However, to meet your protein requirements, consider adding a pressed cheese, such as Parmesan, to your basket before you leave.

A hard block of cheese is formed when the whey is removed from the pressed cheese. Furthermore, Food Milwaukee notes that these cheeses can also be referred to as hard cheeses. Emmental, Cheddar, Pepperjack and Parmesan are some of these cheeses. In fact, per ounce, they can provide more protein than meat or fish. For example, one ounce of beef contains seven grams of protein, which is about the same as one ounce of cheddar cheese, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you need some protein, Parmesan cheese has 8.05 grams of protein per ounce, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Cheddar is a close second, with eight grams of protein per ounce, according to the USDA.

Soft Cheeses Can Give A Substantial Protein Bump

Pressed cheeses are great when it comes to protein, but you should also enjoy soft cheeses like feta, ricotta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. Wisconsin Cheese states that these are typically your fresh, creamy cheeses that are easy to spread and eat with a fork rather than aged and made into blocks.

Soft cheeses are usually measured in cups rather than ounces because of their oozy consistency. However, the USDA notes that adding half a cup of ricotta to your lasagna is an easy way to increase its protein content by 9.35 grams. For an extra protein boost, consider adding a side of cottage cheese to your dinner. A half cup of cottage cheese provides 14 grams of protein, according to Healthline. Because of its low caloric density, it can aid in muscle growth and weight loss. Furthermore, a 2017 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition showed that eating cottage cheese, which is high in casein, before bed can stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

If you stop eating meat and fish, you don’t need to give up protein. Many cheeses are high in protein, which can help you meet or exceed your daily needs. It’s an easy way to add a little more protein to meals and salads.

READ | 5 foods with unexpectedly high protein content

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