#20: The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

00Angela00

This is day twenty of our education of the 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Woo Hoo! Some of these you won't be surprised by, some you will. I'll take one out of each food group each day to mix it up a bit.

All information is from the book by jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth".

Day 20: Cheese

The whole thing with cheese is this: It's all about the source. Unfortunately, the generic name "cheese" covers an awful lot of territory. Just as "carbs" include lollipops and cauliflower, the "cheese" section of the deli is a pretty big umbrella, containing everything from phenomenally wonderful natural cheeses made from raw and unpasterurized milk of sheep and goats to single-sliced "cheese foods" that bear absolutely no resemblance to anythign that should ever be put into the human body.

* cheese falls into four main categories, according to production technniques and maturity:
- Soft, unrippened (e.g., cottage, ricotta, Neufchatel)
- soft, ripened, either mold ripened (blue vein, Brie) or salt cured (feta)
- Firm (Cheddar, Swiss)
- Hard (Parmesan or Pecorino), magnesium, zinc, selenium, and folate. Natural cheese also has all four fat-soluble vitamins: A, E, K, and D.

* French Cheese had more cancer-fighting, fat-reducing fat

* The quality of the cheese is more important then the type. Cheese from grass-fed cows is more than four times richer in CLA, a cancer-fighting, fat0-reducing fat that has been widely studied for its health benefits. Cheese from standard, grain-fed cows doesn't have nearly as much

* The benefits of cheese from healthy animals extends beyond CLA. Unpasterurized Camembert is a natural source of the same protective bacteria we find in yogurt and naturally fermented food.

* Alpine cheese is super high in omega-3's when it's made from milk from cows grazed on northern-latitude alpine grasses instead of feedlotting

* Main idea? Consider the source

* Sheep and goats are less likely to be factory farmed, so their milk (and cheese) may contain a lot less drugs and antibiotics.

* Natural, raw milk cheese are likely to be richer in healthy fats like omega-3's and CLA, especially if the animals graze on grass

* And while usually there are no hard and fast rules for quality, in theis on case I'll make an exception: If it says "cheese food" on the label, for goodness' sake, put the package down and step away from the counter.

For previous posts:
ARTICHOKES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57017--1-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
OATMEAL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57180--2-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57278--3-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APPLES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57482--4-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57516--5-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EDAMAME: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57602--6-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BUTTER/GHEE http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57689--7-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EGGS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57791--8-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CRUSTACEA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57940--9-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEE POLLEN: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58069--10-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ACAI JUICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58196--11-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CARDAMOM: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58290--12-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMOND OIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58381--13-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ARUGULA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58426--14-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
QUINOA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58555--15-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
GARBANZO BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58671--16-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APRICOTS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58800--17-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BRAZIL NUTS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58921--18-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
FERMENTED SOY: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/59006--19-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

* Some nutrients that are in all classes of cheese includ calcium

Zephyr36608

Interesting write up thanks for the info and the links to the previous ones as this is the first one I've seen. I've 'stepped away from' fake cheese (aka 'Cheese food products') for over 20 years now. Folks don't commonly realize the difference, so this info is super helpful I'm sure. To get full and real benefits, calcium et al., you need to make sure you're getting the real thing--plus IT JUST TASTES BETTER!
Zephyr :flowerforyou:

JoyousMaximus

I was wondering if you were going to post again. YAY! you did!:flowerforyou: The last couple have been great because it gives me a health reason to eat some of my favorite foods. Currently, feta is one of my favorite snacks.

ivykivy

It is so hard to find real cheese. You go to the deli in a supermarket thinking that is it but it's not. It's cheese food.

00Angela00

I was wondering if you were going to post again. YAY! you did!:flowerforyou: The last couple have been great because it gives me a health reason to eat some of my favorite foods. Currently, feta is one of my favorite snacks.

I know I took a little fourth of july break, but I was thinking of you! lol, you seem like the only one who consistantly reads these, so that's awesome! Feta is one of my all time favorite cheese. My favorite way to eat it right now is to make a salad with feta and cran-raisens one top with balsamic vinegrette dressing mmmm delicious!

cardigirl

I just bought some cooked lentils from Trader Joe's the other day, and serve them heated with some feta and a bit of olive oil. YUM!

JoyousMaximus

I was wondering if you were going to post again. YAY! you did!:flowerforyou: The last couple have been great because it gives me a health reason to eat some of my favorite foods. Currently, feta is one of my favorite snacks.

I know I took a little fourth of july break, but I was thinking of you! lol, you seem like the only one who consistantly reads these, so that's awesome! Feta is one of my all time favorite cheese. My favorite way to eat it right now is to make a salad with feta and cran-raisens one top with balsamic vinegrette dressing mmmm delicious!

:laugh: Now, I feel special.

That does sound really good. I'll have to try it.

vanessadawn

love the posts too, keep em coming! I'm still waiting for the post that condones coffee, cigarettes and the occasional pina colada! not coming? oh well, here's hoping! :drinker:

samantha115

I like cheese. I usually eat kraft and im willing to change to healthier cheese. how do i know if im buying grain fed or grass fed cow cheese. (im not into goat or sheep, mainly because ive never had it and it sounds kind of gross) do i need to go for like an organic cheese? do they have organic cheese? ive never been much of a soft cheese kind of gal but im will to try anything.

LuckyLeprechaun

I read them too! I just don't always comment, but I definitely appreciate how much effort you are putting in!! Thanks for all of it!

JoyousMaximus

I like cheese. I usually eat kraft and im willing to change to healthier cheese. how do i know if im buying grain fed or grass fed cow cheese. (im not into goat or sheep, mainly because ive never had it and it sounds kind of gross) do i need to go for like an organic cheese? do they have organic cheese? ive never been much of a soft cheese kind of gal but im will to try anything.

They have organic cheese. Trader Joe's carries it. From what I understand, harder cheeses are better for you because they contain less fat.

And if you had ever had the cheese put on your food at the Olive Garden, you've had sheep cheese. It's Pecorino Romano which is made from sheep milk. I love goat and sheep cheese. It has a earthier flavor than most regular cheese.

00Angela00

love the posts too, keep em coming! I'm still waiting for the post that condones coffee, cigarettes and the occasional pina colada! not coming? oh well, here's hoping! :drinker:

YES! One of those is coming! :-D

00Angela00

I read them too! I just don't always comment, but I definitely appreciate how much effort you are putting in!! Thanks for all of it!

Good to know! Thanks!