Cheese

Cheese! I love cheese! There was (and still is) SO much to learn about cheese.  I was raised on processed cheese. I can remember eating cheese from a tube, jar, and each slice you had to unwrap individually.  The thought today makes me ill. But, then again, I didn't know any different. I wasn't taught the difference between fresh {real} cheese and processed cheese. I feel if you don't know any better, how can't you do better. 

Well...that's all about to change for you today! You will soon know what you need to know if you are still living off processed cheeses. One of my biggest rules that is easy to follow is, if it lasts more 7-10 days, it's probably processed cheese or has many chemicals added. Not to mention, lots of added sodium!

I have revamped my cheese intake during this journey. I quit buying bagged cheese because of all the added chemicals and additives.  Which, in turn, has lowered my amount consumed since I can't grab handfuls of it from a bag. 


I now buy fresh Boar's Head cheese from my deli each week, fresh grated cheese from the cheese department, and blocks of cheese to shred at home.  I have noticed that it really does take less of good quality cheese to be satisfied. The flavor is incomparable!

Processed Cheeses

If you are eating cheeses like the photo above you are missing out on the taste of {real} cheese.  You are also missing out of all the options of cheeses the world has to offer. Not to mention causing more trash in the world by unwrapping each and every cheese slice you consume.  

Wanna know how processed cheese is made? Check out the video below:

Here's the ingredients in Kraft American Singles: Ingredients: MILK, WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILKFAT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES, ANNATTO AND PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), VITAMIN D3.

Kraft brand has 250 mg of sodium. Some of the generic/store brands have up to 350 mg of sodium per tiny slice. For a healthier alternative you could try the Boar's Head {no salt added} Swiss cheese at 10mg of sodium and almost triple the amount of protein per 1 oz(one thin slice). My favorite now is Boar's Head Muenster cheese, at 190 mg of sodium per slice. Only 60 mg less than Kraft, but a lot more flavor than the processed "cheese". 


I encourage you to read the labels on your current cheeses and see if there are  simple changes you can make to better your health.

Here's a great article suggesting some healthier cheese options:The Truth About Cheese and Health

2014 UPDATE: Always look for Organic or Rbst (hormone free) cheese when shopping for cheese. Trader Joe's has a lot of hormone free cheese at a great price in blocks. It has been 3 years since I have bought a SINGLE bag of processed cheese. This is a huge deal as I would buy them by the dozen!!!!

Please do not think this is an impossible task to grate your own cheese each time you want cheese. It's very possible! I have bought tiny containers of Pecorino or Parmasean shredded for me at the cheese counter and sometimes sliced Boar's Head, but other than that I buy Organic or Rbst Free.

If you have a Vitamix it can shred cheese for you too! It will last a few days in the fridge after shredding. The cheese doesn't stay longer than that in my fridge so I can say how long it would last before molding.