Cheeeeeese!

adamb83

So, I LOVE cheese. It's the one thing I refuse to give up... I have made the shift from full-fat/full-calorie cheese to 2%/Light, which is fine... BUT I'm struggling quite a bit with sodium, and cheese is loaded with it.

Does anyone know of good, tasty low sodium cheeses? Specifically shredded and string cheese, as those are the types I eat most often.

If I can get my sodium under control, then I think I'll be just about "there" with the major aspects (calories, protien, fats, and carbs are all under control, for the most part.... although Sugar is also still a big problem).

So yeah - low sodium cheese. Does it exist? Is it any good? Where can I find it?

Edit: Please don't tell me not to eat cheese. That's an obvious solution, but not the one I'm looking for.

adamb83

Guess it doesn't exist!

gentsevetzak

Not sure if it exists but what's the problem with sodium except water retention?

adamb83

Well, water retention sucks. Bloating is unsightly and excess water makes my scale think I'm fatter than I really am.

But, also (and more seriously), too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure/hypertension = stroke/heart attack. Bad.

secretlobster

Could you maybe just eat less cheese (not eliminating it)? Sorry if this is obvious...

dls06

http://www.gourmetcheesedetective.com/low-sodium-cheeses.html

LReneeWalker

Eat less cheese
Cut out other foods you are eating that have lots of sodium
Our bodies do need some sodium and drinking lots of water is a good compromise on sodium

knittnponder

Here's a blog post with instructions on how to make your own mozzarella cheese. The lower the fat content of the milk the harder the cheese (low fat is what's used for string cheese). You can control the sodium this way and know exactly what's in it. It only takes 30 minutes to make according to the directions. I pinned it to try but I haven't done it yet.

http://www.simplebites.net/the-best-party-trick-ever-how-to-make-thirty-minute-mozzarella/

_VoV

Eat less cheese
Cut out other foods you are eating that have lots of sodium
Our bodies do need some sodium and drinking lots of water is a good compromise on sodium

This is good advice. Keep things in balance. I use some high-sodium faux veggie 'meats' which are high sodium, but rarely go beyond 1,500 mg. sodium in a day.

As for lower sodium cheeses: check the deli. I know Alpine Lace makes a swiss cheese which is fairly low-sodium. Have them slice it really thin, and use it sparingly.

adamb83

I fully admit that I love cheese and I'm NOT giving it up ... kinda the point of my question.

Thanks for that advice, and I get it, but I'm really specifically looking for low-sodium cheese because I don't want to give up or eat less cheese (even if that's the logical and healthier way to go).

adamb83

Here's a blog post with instructions on how to make your own mozzarella cheese. The lower the fat content of the milk the harder the cheese (low fat is what's used for string cheese). You can control the sodium this way and know exactly what's in it. It only takes 30 minutes to make according to the directions. I pinned it to try but I haven't done it yet.

http://www.simplebites.net/the-best-party-trick-ever-how-to-make-thirty-minute-mozzarella/

Interesting! Thanks!

adamb83

Eat less cheese
Cut out other foods you are eating that have lots of sodium
Our bodies do need some sodium and drinking lots of water is a good compromise on sodium

Definitely been drinking a lot more water - but still don't like being so far over my sodium limit every day. It's not just because of cheese. I also eat frozen veggie burgers and other sodium-filled things... but one low-fat string cheese has over 200mg alone and one slice of 2% American has 270mg. So it'd be a bit of a help to reduce there.

adamb83

http://www.gourmetcheesedetective.com/low-sodium-cheeses.html

Ahh - now that's a cool website! Thanks!

_VoV

I fully admit that I love cheese and I'm NOT giving it up ... kinda the point of my question.

Thanks for that advice, and I get it, but I'm really specifically looking for low-sodium cheese because I don't want to give up or eat less cheese (even if that's the logical and healthier way to go).

I wasn't saying to give up cheese. I'm sorry if that was the impression I left you with.

I used the example from my diet: I eat high sodium faux 'meats', but it works out sodium-wise due to the many no or low-sodium choices I make throughout the day. Often my breakfast is fruit and oatmeal--almost no sodium. So that gives me more leeway for later in the day.

littlelily613

Lower other things in your diet that have lots of sodium so you don't have to give up on the cheese. Sorry, but I don't think there is a better solution since I think sodium is partly what gives it such a yummy flavour. Cheese without sodium probably wouldn't be worth eating.

lizard053

I see the topic and I smile. I LOVE cheese. I find drinking extra water to flush out the sodium is the way to go. No way am I giving up my cheese. I don't even bother to look at sodium, I flush most of it out!

mrsdizzyd84

Adam,

I'm on a sodium restricted diet. Most days I do pretty well and some days I do not. With great consistency, on the days I cook for myself my sodium numbers are great. On the days I eat processed foods I go over on sodium

The key is going to be for you to make most of your food. That way, the sodium in your cheese is not such a big deal. Low sodium cheeses are going to taste bland compared to regular cheese because salt enhances flavor. If you make your own foods with very little salt then you can use the sodium in your cheese to flavor your meal.

For instance, you don't have to buy veggie burger patties. You can make your own. You can even make large batches and freeze then for convenience. You just need to find a couple hours once a week to do it. When you make them cut the sodium in the recipe. Then when you serve them top them with your cheese. That should give you the salt you are looking for.

Hope that makes sense.

abnerner

I don't know how the Laughing Cow cheeses are compared to other cheese, but at least it is a small serving each time. And they are delicious!

mgmlap

cheese is my friend..when i do eat it..i usually do more water..but then again..i usually drink 100 oz or so a day...

ruby_red_rose

Laughing cow has a lot of sodium as well. I think somewhere around 250mg per triangle.

kellybean14

Eat the cheese and savor the salt... and then just sweat it out! If you're working out a lot a little extra salt can't hurt.

taunto

Have you tried making cheese at home? It tastes more fresh and is better for you. I make Ricotta at home all the time and its delicious!

Sp1nGoddess

Boar's Head has a lot of low sodium varieties I think you'd have to shred the cheese yourself though. I have not found any low sodium string cheese...

http://www.boarshead.com/pdf/LowerSodiumLifestyle.pdf

Cheese does rack up the sodium fast!

mvician99

Too funny...I was litterally at the grocery store last night looking on my phone for low-sodium cheeses, asking the exact same questions...trying to figure out which one to get, so I just didn't get any. However, to beat a dead horse, I've just made sure that what I ate during the day was low enough to let me have a little more at night.

I've seen that a "low sodium" diet consists of 2300mg, but I often find myself getting around 1000-1200mg, so I'm sure I can afford it, I just don't.

Good luck.

Coyla

I think people are panicking over sodium the way they panicked over fat. It's unnecessary fear.

If you don't have high blood pressure, you drink plenty of water, and are moderately active, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

If low sodium cheese tastes bad to you, stick with the regular and maybe tuck the scales away for a bit while you're at it. They are not a reliable measurement of progress. :bigsmile: