What is cheese?
What is cheese?
Cheeses are products whose main ingredient is milk. Most often they are produced on the basis of cow’s milk or goat’s milk. Traditional cheeses have recently appeared in many plant-based alternatives that can be safely consumed by people with allergies, food intolerances, and vegetarians. For products based on plant-based ingredients it is worth paying attention to the fortification with vitamin B12, which is available in animal products, and calcium, which in traditional cheese is supplied mainly from milk .
Cheese is a variety of products. They are classified mainly on the basis of the technological process and the ripening process, as well as on the basis of fat content.
The division is based on the technological process and the maturation process.
- rennet
- acid
- acid rennet
- closed circuit
Due to its fat content, the following cheeses are distinguished:
- creamy
- Full-fat
- Fat
- semi greasy
- degreased
- slim
These products are distinguished by a diverse composition. On the shelves of stores we can find only those who have a few descriptions of ingredients, but also those whose composition occupies a very large part of the label. Many ingredients are unnecessary, so when choosing the right product, make sure the formula is as short as possible or may contain natural additives . When choosing cheese, also try to pay attention to the feeding schedule. Choose products with a high protein content of 100g, such as more than 20g, and avoid products that are high in salt and sugars . Cheese producers outperform each other in finding ways to extend the shelf life of products and increase their taste at low cost, so many of them may contain preservatives or even flavor enhancers.
We divided the cheeses available in Pedronka and Waldel into three groups:
The healthiest option – these are cheeses of simple composition, they do not contain chemical additives, any preservatives. It is characterized by its high protein content.
A good choice – when the cheeses of the first group are not available in the store at the moment, you can access products from this group. Because of the slightly poor formula, you shouldn’t use it in the first place.
Products are recommended against – they usually contain less protein and more food additives. These cheeses are still safe, but they certainly shouldn’t feature regularly in a healthy diet.
Below you will find the legend which are the most common additional ingredients in cheese from Biedronka, Lidl and food additives, along with information about the purpose of their addition.
- Preservative: sodium nitrite . This additive belongs to the group of preservatives and is added to prevent the growth of strains of bacteria harmful to health.
- Colour: carotene, annatto-norbexin . These are pigments of natural origin obtained from plants. Their properties make it possible to obtain a yellow or orange color of cheese.
- vegetable fats It is added as a substitute for animal fats in vegetable products.
- Stabilizers: Calcium Chloride . It is a synthetic chemical compound. Responsible for the consistency of the final cheese product.
- The aromas give the cheese the right flavor. Mainly used in flavored and vegan cheeses. In the latter, the addition of flavors is aimed at approximating the aroma characteristics of this product to that of traditional cheese.
- Acidity regulator: citric acid . Increasing the acidity of food (lowering its acidity) has a positive effect on the extraction, improving the taste of the product and prolonging its shelf life. It also protects the cheese from discoloration.
- Gelatin, used as a thickener, emulsifier or gelling agent . It is a supplement of natural (animal) origin. It is not dangerous to humans. People who follow a plant-based diet should pay attention to whether it is not included in the composition of cheese.
- Emulsifying salts: polyphosphate, sodium phosphate, sodium citrate . It is usually found in highly processed cheeses, that is, processed cheese slices. Its task is to combine cheese and create a uniform and smooth structure.
Ladybug
The healthiest choice
Światowid mozzarella cheese
Ingredients: Milk, salt, lactic acid bacteria, microbial rennet.
Nutritional value per 100g: 278 calories, fat 20g, saturated fatty acids 13.6g, carbohydrates less than 0.5g, including sugars less than 0.5g, fiber 0g, protein 24g, salt 1.4g.
Simple formula, free from preservatives and dyes, relatively high in protein and low in salt. Among the recommended selected products, it is distinguished by the lowest content of saturated fatty acids and energy value.
white goat cheese
Ingredients: Pasteurized goat’s milk, salt, lactic acid bacteria, microbial rennet.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 364 calories, fat 31 grams, saturated fatty acids 21 grams, carbohydrates 0 grams, sugars 0 grams, fiber 0 grams, protein 22 grams, salt 1.8 grams.
Simple composition, the cheese does not contain chemical additives such as dyes and preservatives. Due to its high fat content, it also has the highest energy value compared to other products.
Night cheese Światowid
Ingredients: Milk, Salt, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Colour: Carotene.
Nutritional value per 100g: 351 calories, 27g fat, 18g saturated fatty acids, 1.1g carbohydrates, 0g sugars, 0g fiber, 26g protein, 1.2g salt.
The simple composition, unlike previous cheeses, contains pigment, but it is a natural pigment. Does not contain preservatives. Among the recommended products, it is distinguished by the highest protein content.
Good Choice
royal serbak cheese
Ingredients: Milk, Salt, Stabilizers: Calcium Chloride, Bacterial Cultures, Colour: Annatto Norbexin.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 352 calories, 27 grams fat, 18 grams saturated fatty acids, 1.2 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams sugars, 26 grams protein, 1.4 grams salt.
Contains food additives – dyes and stabilizers. It contains a high percentage of salt. It does not contain preservatives and lactose, so it can be consumed by people with lactose intolerance.
Delicate herbal cream cheese
Ingredients: cream, cottage cheese, gelatin, milk proteins, salt, herbs 0.6%, acidity regulator: citric acid.
Nutritional value per 100g: 276 calories, 24g fat, 16g saturated fatty acids, 5g carbohydrates, 5g sugars, 10g protein, 1g salt.
Relatively simple configuration and low power value. However, the protein content in this product is low. This cheese also contains some amounts of simple carbohydrates (sugars).
Products are recommended against
Violife Cheddar Slices
Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil (23%), Modified Starch, Starch, Sea Salt, Cheddar Flavor, Olive Extract, Colors: Paprika Extract, B-Carotene, Vitamin B12.
Nutritional value per 100g: 285 calories, 23g fat, 21g saturated fatty acids, 20g carbohydrates, 0g sugars, 0g protein, 2.3g salt, vitamin B12 2.5mc.
The main component of this product is coconut oil, and most of the fatty acids are saturated fatty acids. This product, unlike similar cheeses, does not contain protein. It has the highest salt content. Despite the fact that cheese is fortified with vitamin B12, we cannot consider it a product with high nutritional value.
Put the Fasti cheese
Ingredients: Cheese, Water, Butter, Skimmed Milk Powder, Milk Proteins, Emulsifying Salts: E452, E339, E331, Carotene Color, Salt.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 299 calories, 25 grams fat, 17 grams saturated fatty acids, 3.3 grams carbohydrates, 2.2 grams sugars, 15 grams protein, 1.2 grams salt.
Long composition and a large amount of food additives. It is a very processed product and we would definitely not recommend it.
To see
The healthiest choice
Mazdamir Bio Organic Cheese
Ingredients: Pasteurized cow’s milk, salt, lactic acid bacteria.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 353 calories, 26.7 grams fat, 17.3 grams saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates less than 0.1 grams, sugars less than 0.1 grams, protein 28 grams, salt 1.0 grams.
The short composition, ecological product, does not contain additives such as stabilizers or dyes. It has a low carbohydrate content and a high protein content.
Pelos natural goat cheese
Ingredients: goat’s milk, salt, lactic acid fermentation bacteria.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 380 calories, fat 31.3 grams, saturated fatty acids 21.3 grams, carbohydrates 0 grams, sugars 0 grams, protein 24.5 grams, salt 1.68 grams.
The product consists of only 3 ingredients. It contains a high amount of protein. Contains no stabilizers, dyes and added sugars.
Lovellio mozzarella cheese
Ingredients: pasteurized milk, salt, lactic acid fermentation bacteria.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 284 calories, fat 20.0 grams, saturated fatty acids 14.0 grams, carbohydrates 1.0 grams, sugars 1.0 grams, protein 25 grams, salt 0.90 grams.
Simple composition, large amount of protein. It does not contain additives such as stabilizers or dyes. Low in fat and salt.
Good Choice
gouda cheese pilos
Ingredients: Milk, Salt, Stabilizer: Calcium Chloride, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Colour: Carotene.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 334 calories, 26 grams fat, 17 grams saturated fatty acids, 0 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams sugars, 25 grams protein, 1.5 grams salt.
High in protein and calcium. The product contains a stabilizer additive and a natural dye – carotene, the consumption of which is acceptable.
Mazdir malkovita cheese
Ingredients: Milk, Salt, Stabilizer: Calcium Chloride, Bacterial Cultures, Colour: Carotene.
Nutritional value per 100g: 334 calories, 26g fat, 17g saturated fatty acids, 0g carbohydrates, 0g sugars, 25g protein, 1.1g salt.
This product does not contain added sugars. It is high in protein and calcium. It contains additives such as a carotene stabilizer or dye, which are of natural origin.
Products are recommended against
Bellos cheese toast
Ingredients: 38% cheese rennet, water, butter, skimmed milk powder, milk proteins, sweet whey powder (from milk), emulsifying salts: polyphosphate, disodium phosphate, sodium citrate, salt.
Nutritional value per 100 grams: 287 calories, 23 grams fat, 15.2 grams saturated fatty acids, 6.0 grams carbohydrates, 6.0 grams sugars, 14 grams protein, 3.5 grams salt.
The worst combination, a highly processed product, contains a lot of additives. High in salt and sugars.
