Cheese or No Cheese

auntamama

I have been staying in my calorie range, but I do eat cheese. A friend suggested cutting cheese out of my diet completly, but I don't really want to, because I love it. I have alot to loose though, so wondering if any of you found it benificial to cut cheese out of your diet? I figured it was o.k., since I am going by calories, but wanted to know what works for others. And speaking of Diet, I don't mean like I'm on a diet, this is a lifestyle change, which is why I am more hesitant to give it up. I gave up Diet Coke this week, and it hasn't been that hard, although sounds really good right now, but hoping that will speed it up a bit.

jllipson

Depending on how much you eat. Do you portion it, if not, then try that for starters. If you do, then maybe cut the amount you are eating. Maybe have cheese every other day. Personally, I have cheese almost daily - as long as you go for light or low fat (NOT fat free) and you portion it, you should be OK. Remember it's dairy, and one of the recommended food groups.

Kelly_Wilson1990

I do not cut out cheese but I do get the light and portion it out.

MsEmmy

I think that if you feel you are depriving yourself too much then you may not stick to the plan - that's certainly how I feel. I would rather eat cheese and walk an extra mile with my dogs to burn it off, than not eat cheese, feel miserable and deprived and give up! All about portion control - I do weigh it to make sure I'm within my cals as it is very easy to eat too much!

mikihainesy

I could never give up cheese, I would be so unhappy thus making this pointless

maryd523

Depending on how much you eat. Do you portion it, if not, then try that for starters. If you do, then maybe cut the amount you are eating. Maybe have cheese every other day. Personally, I have cheese almost daily - as long as you go for light or low fat (NOT fat free) and you portion it, you should be OK. Remember it's dairy, and one of the recommended food groups.

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

baisleac

MOAR Cheese.

Sorry, not really helpful. I could never give up cheese.

swinginchandra

agreed with everything everyone says. I find it hard to consistently portion blocks of cheese without a scale, so I try to go for the laughing cow, or proportioned stuff. But seriously, I use a little bit of cheese in MOST of my meals.

lindalou0703

When I want cheese I eat the sargento low fat cheese. I love cheese and dont want to give it up

sgv0918

i will not cut cheese ever. I'm a wisconsin girl. LOL

1234lbsgone

I gave up dairy and my skin cleared up and my headaches went away. Can't say it had anything to do with weight loss as I still maintained a balanced diet with the same amount of calories.

If you are curious, give it up for a week or two and slowly add it back in. Of course you should replace those calories and fats with a healthy alternative, otherwise, you will seem to lose weight only because you cut cals, not because you cut a food. After the one or two week abstenance, slowly add it back little by little and see how you feel. That would be the truest way to know if you can go without or not.

Honestly, I don't miss it at all. Maybe on occasion, but I let myself have a little if I crave it. Usually I will get a headache or belly ache and that cures the next craving real quick. But everyone is different, what works for one, may not work for another. (And I should point out that I was quite the cheese addict before I gave up dairy. I really didn't think I could do it.)

End6ame

Depending on how much you eat. Do you portion it, if not, then try that for starters. If you do, then maybe cut the amount you are eating. Maybe have cheese every other day. Personally, I have cheese almost daily - as long as you go for light or low fat (NOT fat free) and you portion it, you should be OK. Remember it's dairy, and one of the recommended food groups.

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

How is dairy bad for you!?

I eat drink full fat milk, eat full fat cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream and yogurt. Guess what, I am still losing weight.

KBomar2

Me either! I know I would cheat if I decided to give up cheese. I LOVE cheese!!!!

MinnieInMaine

It sounds to me like you'd rather do this in a way that you know you can live with forever (which I love, by the way)- and you know you love cheese so why cut it out? If anything, try going for low fat and/or low sodium versions and treat yourself now and then with the real stuff. I eat cheese every day on my sandwich and sometimes also have some with dinner and I've done pretty well.

joejccva71

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

Not sure if srs to be honest.

KylerHunter

I'm a cheese fan myself. Portioning it out helps a lot (I'll swing between regular ol'cheese and fat free shredded cheese for my salads). Usually I cut portions in half or really make sure I'll be way under my calorie count that day if I get the craving. I think this applies to everything though. Keep track of what you're eating and then if you want to splurge once in a while it's okay. Personally I had a doughnut (oh my love Krispy Creme doughuts ) for the first time in ages. I'll just know I'll have to work it off later. Moderation as they say.:happy:

auntamama

Good to see you are all cheesy:) Yes, I do portion it out, weigh it, or get pre portioned, and yes I use 2%. I have a serving once or twice a day. I am not a milk drinker either, so I was justifying it by needing it. I work out hard, and didn't think it was all that bad. Just really wondered if it would stall weight loss like my friend suggested. He is a health nut, and very fit, and gave up cheese for 3 years, but I agree, if I were to deprive myselft completly it would feel like a "diet", and I would surely give up at some point. Glad to see big weight loss numbers with you cheese eaters, so I know it can be done.

lbgano

I have had to cut cow milk products out of my diet completely because for some reason they cause me to have cystic acne, which is never fun bu a litle worse when you are 42 like me (UNFAIR to have wrinkles AND zits!!)

It was very difficult as I LOVE CHEESE but the pain and embarassment of the acne finally outweighed my cheese adoration.

I do think that it made it easier for me to lose weight, but I believe that is because cheese is calorically dense and I was probably underestimating portions. A little goes a long way. Taking that guesstimation out of the picture made it easier to keep an accurate calorie count.

Plus, a lot of my favorite temptations are cheese filled - pizza, lasagne, etc. So having a strict no dairy policy (I do eat a tiny bit of goat cheese, but infrequently) has made it easier to choose less caloric foods.


HTH!

Alissa_Sal

I think that if you love cheese and that you are staying within your calorie ranges, you should eat your cheese and enjoy it.

If you are having trouble staying within your calorie range, cutting out cheese is a pretty easy way to cut back and make some room in your diet (I think.) A hamburger has less calories and fat than a cheeseburger, but can still be flavorful and good. A bowl of chili with cheese on top is delicious, but a bowl of chili without cheese is still pretty darn good. KWIM?

But again, if you aren't having trouble staying within your ranges, I say have your cheese and eat it too.

End6ame

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

Not sure if srs to be honest.

Oh, I think they are serious.... wrong, but serious.

gailosborne

enjoy your cheese

circusmom

I still eat cheese and I'm losing just fine. I also do not eat the light or low-fat varieties because they seem to have higher sodium.

brit49

I think it bad for you, I dont eat it that often, I also cut out alot of bread, I no what your thinking, very hard!!!!

go2grrl

I love cheese more than any other food. However, sodium is my nemesis. So I have whittled down my intake to only having cheese on the occasional sandwich or when a specific recipe calls for it. But when winter gets here and there's no fresh, local fruit available to snack on, I'll go back to having a daily ounce of cheese with some turkey, a hard boiled egg or nuts for a snack. If you can work it into your calories and your sodium limit, then go for it. I would just stay away from the processed "cheese."

SeaChele77

I gave up dairy and it worked for me. Try it and see. Give it up and if you don't see more of a weight loss, then you know dairy/cheese is not your enemy. It's not really my "enemy" but not a very good friend. So I have a splurge day where I am allowed a bit of cheese (say Mexican night or pizza) - but I cut out milk, yogurt (which was hard b/c I was getting a HUGE amount of protien from my greek yogurt), cheese and other dairy....wow after reading ingredients its amazing how much milk is in things you never would think.

Again - no harm in trying it. Dairy takes 2-3 days to process through the body. So basically the cheese you eat today will not be completely out of your system until Sat or Sun!! If you don't see the results you want, go back to eating cheese.

Good luck

anastasiawildflower

I wouldn't see the harm in keeping it in your diet. Personally, I rarely eat cheese. There is a vegan version called Daiya, it melts and stretches and tastes very similar (I shouldn't have to advertise that but you have probably never tried the other brands). Being that it is plant based, it is really low on the fat scale. When I do eat cheese, I have a wine and cheese party with my best friend. We save our barista tips for a few weeks and then have a wonderful night with gourmet cheeses and wines. I am not saying to cut it out, do what you like, I just know I find it far more enjoyable as a treat than I do in everyday life.

trud72

NO cheese otherwise i just get too tempted!

SeaChele77

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

Not sure if srs to be honest.

Oh, I think they are serious.... wrong, but serious.

One can give up dairy and live without any problem! No one NEEDS dairy in their system. I too was one that thought - its on the pyramid I must need it. Wrong. You can get the nutrients and better nutrients in other forms of food. Also, its not "un"healthy persay, but not the healthiest thing to eat. It takes up to 3 days to process through the body. Lactose can be very difficult for the body to process. Many people have an allergy to dairy and do not even realize it b/c it does take so long to digest. Dairy can weigh you down, cause health and sleep problems, skin issues, and more. Since i"ve been off dairy I can feel a big difference. Actually I feel a big (bad) difference on my splurge days! My belly acts up, I get headaches and feel sluggish.

No giving up dairy is not beneficial for everyone! But reduction in dairy probably would be and I would suggest to anyone to try a lactose/dairy free diet for 3-4 weeks and see if they feel any different. If not - no harm done, but if they do....its a win-win!

JennLifts

I'd say it's ok to include to a point. It's generally high in unhealthy stuffs, ergo bad sat fats.

End6ame

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

Not sure if srs to be honest.

Oh, I think they are serious.... wrong, but serious.

One can give up dairy and live without any problem! No one NEEDS dairy in their system. I too was one that thought - its on the pyramid I must need it. Wrong. You can get the nutrients and better nutrients in other forms of food. Also, its not "un"healthy persay, but not the healthiest thing to eat. It takes up to 3 days to process through the body. Lactose can be very difficult for the body to process. Many people have an allergy to dairy and do not even realize it b/c it does take so long to digest. Dairy can weigh you down, cause health and sleep problems, skin issues, and more. Since i"ve been off dairy I can feel a big difference. Actually I feel a big (bad) difference on my splurge days! My belly acts up, I get headaches and feel sluggish.

No giving up dairy is not beneficial for everyone! But reduction in dairy probably would be and I would suggest to anyone to try a lactose/dairy free diet for 3-4 weeks and see if they feel any different. If not - no harm done, but if they do....its a win-win!

Why would I want to reduce or give up dairy? The protein, fat and carbs in whole milk is in such a perfect combination for replenishing energy, increase testosterone levels and building muscle. Additionally, fat, mainly saturated fat is great for brain health and hormone levels which helps you feel good. I’ll keep my dairy, thank you.

maryd523

Depending on how much you eat. Do you portion it, if not, then try that for starters. If you do, then maybe cut the amount you are eating. Maybe have cheese every other day. Personally, I have cheese almost daily - as long as you go for light or low fat (NOT fat free) and you portion it, you should be OK. Remember it's dairy, and one of the recommended food groups.

Dairy might be one of the recommended food groups, but that does not mean it's good for you. Dairy is very bad for you and don't eat it because you think it's healthy. Eat it as a treat.

How is dairy bad for you!?

I eat drink full fat milk, eat full fat cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream and yogurt. Guess what, I am still losing weight.

Milk is a bodily fluid made by mammals specifically for the infants of that species. Cow milk is NOT for adult humans, despite what the dairy industry would like you to believe (and works VERY hard at it). I'm sorry that some of you still believe all the hype. Do some research and you will find out what I did....

Dairy has been linked to all kinds of health issues such as allergies, asthma, alzheimers, heart disease, cancer, osteoprosis (that's right) and many other issues. Dairy products (and all animal proteins) contain methionine, a substance that contains sulfur and acidifies our blood. The body must then pull calcium from its stores to neutralize the acid. Therefore, dairy products actually result in a net calcium loss. This has been proven over and over again. Cultures that do not eat dairy regularly enjoy much lower rates of osteoprosis. Ironic, huh?

In any case, what makes sense? Really, does it make sense that a fluid made for baby cows would be good for adult humans? Baby cows are born to put on a massive amount of weight very quickly, and their milk is perfectly designed for that function.

You don't have to listen to me. Take off the blinders about dairy and look into it yourself. Just watch the source. The dairy industry puts millions and millions of dollars every year towards perpetuating the myth.