Creamy spreadable cheese is used in a variety of recipes such as sauces, spreads, and desserts. But, Is cream cheese bad for your health? Well, it is not as healthy compared to other cheese varieties.
The smooth spreadable cream cheese at room temperature comes in various varieties. But, Is cream cheese healthy?
Cream cheese is produced from a combination of milk and heavy cream. This type of cheese has a 33 percent fat content. This high percentage of fat makes it unhealthy if you consume it in excess amounts.
Since cream cheese is very widely used in different desserts and flavorful dishes, it is important to know its impacts on human health. The article is going to explain everything you need to know about cream cheese.
Table of Content
Cream Cheese Nutrition Facts
A 100 gram of cream cheese contains 342 calories. The following table demonstrates the nutritional value of cream cheese.
| Nutrients | % Daily Values |
| Total fats 34 g | 52% |
| Saturated fat 19 g | 95% |
| Cholesterol 110 mg | 36% |
| Sodium 321 mg | 13% |
| Potassium 138 mg | 3% |
| Total carbohydrates 4.1 g | 1% |
| Protein 6 g | |
| Vitamin C | 0% |
| Calcium | 9% |
| Iron | 2% |
| Vitamin D | 6% |
| Cobalamin | 5% |
Is Cream Cheese Healthy? Complete Analysis!
Cream Cheese seems to be a delicious spread for tortillas and cakes and it is. It also has a lot of healthy nutrients. But the amount of fat present in cream cheese makes it unhealthy.
Cream Cheese contains 59 percent of fats, which is a very high percentage. It makes cream cheese unhealthy. Moreover, cream cheese is high in calories so it can cause you to gain weight.
However, if you eat cream cheese in moderation, it can have a few health benefits. Following are the answers to commonly asked questions about cream cheese.
Is Cream Cheese Good for Weight Loss?
Losing weight is all about consuming a healthy and balanced diet. Your weight loss diet should consist of all the important nutrients that are essential for the growth and development of the body.
Cheese can be a healthy and protein-rich source for a weight loss diet. But when it comes to cream cheese, it’s not the right choice for those who want to shed some extra pounds.
Cream Cheese contains a lot of fats. The amount of saturated fats in cream cheese is 95 percent. That is the real culprit. This high amount of fat is not good for people who are already obese. Moreover, it can also lead to obesity if you consume it in high amounts.
However, weight loss is all about calories in and calories out. So you can consume cream cheese occasionally as a treat. Make sure to keep in mind that you should consume it according to your caloric requirements.
Is Cream Cheese Good for Diabetes?
Cream Cheese is of course bad news for people suffering from diabetes. Cream Cheese is nothing like proper cheese. It is full of chemicals, preservatives, and sugar that lead to increased blood glucose levels.
However, homemade cream cheese can be good for diabetics. But you should not consume it with the beard containing high sugar or the cakes having high sugar amounts. Because sometimes, it is not cheese that spikes blood sugar, but the bread or cake that you eat cream cheese with.
If you are having diabetes, and you’re craving cream cheese, make it by yourself using butter and adjusting the amounts of sugar in it. It can be healthier than store-bought cream cheese.
Is Cream Cheese Healthy in Pregnancy?
Almost all types of cheese contain bacteria that are called Listeria. This bacteria can induce vomiting, nausea in Pregnant women. Therefore, it is not wise to include cheese in your diet, especially during the first trimester.
Moreover, cream cheese can cause pregnancy-induced diabetes if you eat it in high amounts. It is also high in sodium that can become a cause of hypertension in pregnancy.
So, there are a lot of bad aspects of soft cheese that can make it unhealthy to eat in pregnancy. It is wise to consult your doctor before eating cream cheese if you’re pregnant.
Is Cream Cheese Healthier for You than Butter?
Butter is healthier than cream cheese both in terms of nutrition and health benefits. The amount of calcium and other minerals in butter is also more as compared to cream cheese, which makes the butter more healthy.
The main difference between cream cheese and butter is the number of saturated fats. Butter has low amounts of saturated fats as compared to cream cheese. Saturated fats raise LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and are harmful to human health.
Hence, butter is more healthy in all aspects if compared to cream cheese.
Is Cream Cheese Healthier than Yogurt?
Yogurt is more healthy than cream cheese as it is very low in saturated fats. It is also low in calories and is a good source of calcium. Greek yogurt can be a good alternative for cheese and is always better than that.
Yogurt also contains good bacteria that can keep your gut healthy. Being a probiotic, yogurt has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants present in yogurt are also very beneficial for human health.
Cream Cheese Benefits and Risks
Cream cheese is a staple in many countries’ cuisine. It can be advantageous to health in several ways. However, it can also put your health at risk if you consume it in large quantities. Here are its health benefits and risks.
Health Benefits
So many people think that cream cheese is only used for flavor, but it also has various health benefits. Following are some common health benefits of adding cream cheese to your diet.
- Cream Cheese is very low in lactose so it is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.
- Cream cheese is rich in calcium, proteins, and fats that are good for healthy body growth.
- Cream cheese also contains vitamin A, Vitamin B12, zinc, and riboflavin that help fight different diseases.
- Proteins present in cream cheese provide energy for muscle functioning and other body systems.
You can only get these benefits of cream cheese if you eat it in moderation. Otherwise, it can be harmful.
Side Effects
Cream Cheese is not the real form of cheese. It has a high amount of thick cream that makes it unhealthy. Following are the health risks of eating cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese has a short shelf life, hence it can cause food poisoning if you do not eat it fresh.
- Cream Cheese is acidic, so it can cause acid reflux.
- Cream Cheese is high in sugar, hence not good for diabetes.
- Cream cheese has high salt content, so it is not good for the heart.
- The high amount of fats in cream cheese makes you gain more weight.
It is better to use some other healthy alternatives to cream cheese to avoid all these harmful effects.
Healthy Substitutes for Cream Cheese
Cream Cheese is very creamy and delightful but it is also dangerous to your health. It can clog your arteries and cause problems with your cardiovascular system.
As a result, if you want to minimize calories or avoid dairy, there must be some healthier alternatives.
You might run out of cream cheese and need to make a hasty nutritious meal. Here are some of the best alternatives you may want to try. These are the following:
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Ricotta (a creamy version of cottage cheese)
- Gervais cheese
- Hummus
- Cottage Cheese
All these alternatives are more healthy and nutritious as compared to cream cheese. You can make your meals tasty, avoiding the bad effects of cream cheese.
FAQs
Is cream cheese keto?
No, cream cheese is not keto. It is very low in protein. A ketogenic diet should be high in proteins. Cream Cheese is very high in saturated fats so it can not be added to a keto diet.
Is cream cheese salty or sweet?
Cream Cheese is made firm with the use of lactic acid. So it has a salty taste and a lactic aroma. It is creamy and has a high amount of sodium which is also responsible for its salty taste.
Which is healthier, cheese or cream cheese?
Feta Cheese, cottage cheese, and mozzarella are the healthier varieties of cheese. Cream Cheese has a high amount of whipped cream that makes it fattier and less nutritious as compared to other varieties of cheese.
Bottom Line
Is cream cheese healthy? No, it is not very healthy as compared to other varieties of cheese. As cream cheese is high in saturated fats that can raise bad cholesterol levels in the blood and can cause many diseases. So, avoid eating cream cheese in high amounts and try to replace it with healthy alternatives for cream cheese.
