Is String Cheese Healthy For Weight Loss?
String Cheese: What is it?
String cheese is a type of mozzarella cheese that is frequently sold as a pre-packaged snack. It is a well-liked, portable, and healthful snack choice because of its high protein content, low-calorie count, and ease of peeling into thin strips or “strings.” This feature makes snacking more enjoyable and engaging.
The mozzarella is heated, stretched, and then cooled throughout the string cheese-making process, giving it its distinctive elastic feel and making it easy to peel apart. This cheese is so adaptable that it may be eaten by itself, in a snack pack with other foods like fruit and crackers, or even as a component of other meals like salads, pizza toppings, and filled bread rolls.
Nutritional Information for String Cheese:
Protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins are all abundant in string cheese. The nutritional value of one serving of string cheese is broken down here. The USDA provides the nutritional data for one stick serving (28 grams) of part-skim mozzarella string cheese.
- Calories: 85
- Fat: 5.8g
- Sodium: 198mg
- Carbohydrates: 1.3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.5g
- Protein: 6.7g
- Calcium: 196mg
- Selenium: 7.6ug
- B12: 0.47ug
Carbohydrates
A serving of string cheese has just 1.3 grams of carbohydrates. The natural sugar in dairy products is probably the source of these carbohydrates. Cheese, including string cheese, is regarded as an extremely low-carbohydrate meal.
Fats
Cheese and other dairy products, like string cheese, sometimes include dietary fats unless you’ve chosen a non-fat kind. 5.8 grams of fat, of which 3.3 grams are saturated fat, 1.3 grams are monounsaturated fats, and 0.2 grams are polyunsaturated fatty acids, are included in one serving of part-skim string cheese.
Protein
One (28-gram) serving of string cheese offers little over 6 grams of dairy protein. All nine necessary amino acids are included in casein protein, which digests more slowly than whey proteins.
Minerals and Vitamins
Calcium, vitamin B12, and selenium are just a few vitamins and minerals abundant in mozzarella string cheese. Twenty percent of the recommended daily amount (RDA) for calcium, fourteen percent of the essential mineral selenium, and twenty percent of vitamin B12 are included in one serving of string cheese.
Calories
String cheese is considered a nutrient-dense food. The main sources of the 85 calories in one serving of string cheese are protein and dietary fat. About 26 calories come from protein, and 52 of the 85 calories in a single serving of string cheese come from dietary fat. Carbohydrates offer the remaining 7 calories.
Advantages of String Cheese for Health:
A wholesome, portable snack with many possible health advantages is string cheese. Here’s all you need to know about the advantages of including string cheese in your diet.
It might help prevent osteoporosis and promote bone health.
Vital vitamins and minerals found in dairy products support healthy bones. In particular, string cheese is a great source of calcium and vitamin B12, which have been demonstrated to promote bone health and fend off osteoporosis.
Research indicates that patients with vitamin B12 deficiencies are more likely to have a hip fracture than those with normal levels. Researchers found that vitamin B12’s impact on bone mineral density is linked to the incidence of hip fractures, indicating that preserving adequate B12 levels supports strong bones.
The benefits of calcium for healthy bones and bone health are well documented. Calcium plays a part in giving hard tissue its strength. Bone and teeth contain more than 99 percent of calcium, which is stored there for usage in bodily tissues. Vitamin B12 and calcium are both abundant in string cheese.
could promote red blood cell formation and avoid anemia.
When you are lacking in vitamin B12, you are at risk for getting anemia, a disease where your body cannot generate enough healthy red blood cells. You must obtain vitamin B12 from your diet because your body is unable to create it on its own. Since vitamin B12 is most frequently found in animal proteins, vegans are particularly vulnerable to a B12 shortage.
A vitamin B12 shortage without being addressed can lead to major issues like bleeding, infections, and problems with your brain or nerves that may be irreversible.6 String cheese offers 20% of the RDA for vitamin B12. Your body can produce healthy red blood cells more effectively and you are less likely to develop anemia if you make sure your diet contains adequate vitamin B12.
Could Reduce Hunger and Encourage Fullness
The regulation of appetite is influenced by macronutrients. Your degree of fullness and satiety will be higher if your meal consists mostly of protein than if it consists primarily of carbs.
This is because carbs facilitate a fast glucose and insulin response and are quickly digested. Protein, on the other hand, takes longer to digest and increases hunger hormones, which enhance postmeal satiety.
Dietary fat can decrease appetite and increase fullness, much like protein. Given how appealing dietary fat is, you would believe that eating meals heavy in fat would only increase your appetite. But the reverse is also true.
Because high-fat meals take longer to digest and trigger the release of fullness hormones, they often result in higher degrees of satiety.
Because string cheese has both fat and protein, it’s the ideal portable snack that will keep you full until your next meal.
Might bolster the immune system’s wellness.
Sustaining good health requires a robust immune system. Including foods high in nutrients in your diet will help strengthen your immune system and increase your chances of staying healthy.
Vitamin B12 and the trace element selenium, which are both important for immune system function, are abundant in string cheese. An antioxidant with antiviral, anticancer, and anti-aging effects is selenium. Selenium from whole foods and supplements supports the immune system.
The immune system’s ability to operate depends critically on vitamin B12. Your cells’ health is at stake if you don’t get enough B12. Unhealthy red blood cells are more vulnerable to oxidative stress and damage from free radicals.
Red blood cells are also a component of your body’s immunological response, which fights against viruses and intruders. They must be operating and performing efficiently because of this.
Controlling Weight:
String cheese’s low carbohydrate and high protein composition might help you feel filled for longer. This can help with weight maintenance or loss by lowering total caloric consumption.
Why Is String Cheese a Well-liked Snack?
Because of its taste, simplicity, and distinctive texture, string cheese is a popular on-the-go snack and is frequently included in school lunches. String cheese, in contrast to other cheeses, is enjoyable and filling to eat because it can be peeled into thin strands. This dairy product is full of nutrients that are vital for healthy living, so it’s not only about flavor.
Making String Cheese at Home Is Simple:
It’s also worth noting that manufacturing string cheese at home is not that hard.
Store-bought ones are perfectly OK, but this can be a great way to save some cash.
In actuality, it just requires stretching and heating some readily available mozzarella.
A basic recipe for homemade string cheese may be found on the Cultures For Health website.
String cheese allergies:
Cow’s milk is used to make string cheese. Unless you can discover dairy-free alternatives, you should stay away from string cheese and other milk-based goods if you have a dairy allergy. Discuss your symptoms with a medical professional or an allergist if you believe you may have a milk allergy. To find out if you have a food allergy, they can assess your symptoms and run tests.
However, some persons with lactose sensitivity can safely eat string cheese because a single serving has less than 1 gram of lactose. Additionally, people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease may usually safely consume it. However, you should still check the label to see if it suits you.
Negative Impacts
Cheese products, including string cheese, contain a lot of salt. Before consuming string cheese, see your doctor if you have high blood pressure or are restricting your salt consumption. You can eat this cheese or search for a low-sodium alternative, but remember that you should consume no more than 1,500 to 2,000 mg of salt daily.
Food Safety & Storage
String cheese, often known as mozzarella cheese, may be frozen or kept in the refrigerator. If the cheese exhibits any symptoms of mold, such as discoloration or a sour smell, it should be used before the expiration date or thrown out. It should not be used after being kept at room temperature for longer than two hours.
Summary
String cheese is low-priced and nutrient-dense. It is also enjoyable to consume, which appeals to parents of little children.
Although string cheese will never be able to match the flavor of premium cheese, it isn’t meant to, and it does a great job of being an affordable, handy snack.
When everything is said and done, string cheese is one of the healthier portable snack options.
FAQs
How is string cheese manufactured, and what is it exactly?
A popular snack for both children and adults, string cheese begins as mozzarella or a related cheese. Cheese gets fibrous by stretching and heating, acquiring that beloved pull-apart quality. This method not only preserves the cheese but also gives it a distinctive texture, making it a portable, easy-to-eat snack.
Is string cheese a nutritious way to eat?
Of course!String cheese has a lot of protein and calcium and is relatively low in calories, making it a nutritious powerhouse. It is a wise choice for a snack, particularly if you want to eat something to keep you full in between meals.
What role does string cheese play in a diet that is balanced?
String cheese is readily incorporated into a balanced diet due to its nutritional composition. It’s a fantastic dairy product that also contains important minerals like vitamin D and calcium. It may be used with whole grains or fruits to create a balanced snack that is nourishing and filling.
Can string cheese be enjoyed by those who are lactose intolerant?
String cheese is easily enjoyed by many people who are lactose intolerant. This occurs as a result of using less lactose while manufacturing cheese. To test how your body responds, it’s advisable to start with a tiny dose as sensitivity differs from person to person.
What inventive ways may string cheese be incorporated into dishes?
String cheese may be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen, not only as a snack right out of the packet. Try adding it to salads to increase the protein content, melting it over your favorite foods to provide a gooey topping, or even adding it to recipes that call for filled meat to add a cheesy surprise.
Can a vegetarian eat string cheese?
Since string cheese is derived from milk, it is typically acceptable for vegetarians. But it’s always a good idea to look for rennet, an enzyme that can be obtained from animal products and is utilized in the production of cheese, on the label. A lot of companies use microbial rennet, which makes their goods suitable for vegetarians.
What is the shelf life of string cheese and how should it be kept?
The secret to prolonging string cheese’s shelf life is proper storage. It can last for several weeks if kept in the refrigerator. To preserve freshness after opening, be sure to properly seal it or move it to an airtight container. It’s advisable to discard it if you detect any strange odors or discolorations.
Is it possible to freeze string cheese for extended storage?
You can bet! String cheese’s shelf life can be increased by several months by freezing it. Just be advised that freezing may cause the texture to change somewhat, becoming slightly crumblier when thawed. However, it ought to function perfectly for baking or frying.
References
- Cissn, S. P. R. C. C. (2022, June 23). String Cheese Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits. Verywell Fit. https://www.verywellfit.com/string-cheese-nutrition-facts-and-health-benefits-5442920#:~:text=String%20cheese%20is%20packed%20with,selenium%20provide%20immune%20system%20support.
- Mallon, S. (2023, April 13). 7 Healthy Cheeses to Add to Your Shopping List. Taste of Home. https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/healthy-cheeses/?srsltid=AfmBOoo9C0B76YSw5PjXlNC7MInedYwQpdxh-CVQoEd6jleRZ8lrEHdG
- ANutr, M. J. M. (2023, August 22). Is String Cheese a Healthy Choice? Nutrition Advance. https://www.nutritionadvance.com/is-string-cheese-healthy/
- Watts, W., & Watts, W. (2024, October 29). 12 Nutritional Facts About String Cheese – OhMyFacts. OhMyFacts. https://ohmyfacts.com/food-beverage/12-nutritional-facts-about-string-cheese/
