Food for thought: cheese is saltier than crisps

Food for thought...

A portion of cheese may be rich in calcium, but it can also contain more salt than a packet of crisps (cheddar) and copious amounts of saturated fat.

Although a standard 30g serving of cheese (the size of a small matchbox) may boost our body's intake of beneficial nutrients such as calcium - a 30g chunk of cheddar contains over a quarter of an adults daily requirement - and protein, it's also high in salt and saturated fat - two culprits that we need to cut from our daily diet in order to reduce our risk of developing diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease.

Instead of opting for full fat cheeses that have a tendency to be higher in saturated fat, choose reduced fat alternatives such as low-fat mozzarella, consume super salty sources such as cheddar in moderation, and always pin point precise portion sizes (no more than 30g per serving!) in order to prevent an overconsumption of calories, salt and saturated fat - three things that can hinder our health when consumed in excess.

Top tip: slice and sprinkle.
Cut your consumption of cheese by swapping thick chunks for thin slices and/or sprinkle grated cheese (remember to weigh before grating!) over your favourite foods sparingly as opposed to adding in bulk.

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