Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Introduction
People with diabetes are constantly advised to eat properly to avoid complications for their health. Protein is one of the essential needs, and cheese typically contains it.
Are you wondering if mozzarella cheese is good for diabetics? Yes, and there are a wealth of benefits to be obtained. We’ll look at six of the most essential advantages of eating mozzarella cheese regularly in this article. From improving blood sugar levels to aiding in weight loss, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs!
What is Mozzarella Cheese?
Fresh mozzarella is a curd cheese with a bite-size texture that comes from Italy. It’s traditionally fashioned of water buffalo milk (not North American buffalo or bison), and its delicate, milky flavor is highly prized. Because of its low fat and sodium levels, fresh mozzarella is considered a healthier cheese. Water buffalo’s milk mozzarella has higher levels of calcium, protein, iron, and cholesterol than cow’s mozzarella while being lower in fat.
Fresh mozzarella has a different feel than shredded mozzarella. It isn’t aged, and rather than aging like most cheeses, it is consumed right after manufacturing. Silky, soft, milky, and mild in flavor are all terms used to describe fresh mozzarella.
To fully savor its delicate and fresh flavor, it should be eaten at room temperature. Supermarkets and specialty boutiques sell fresh mozzarella in abundance. Buffalo’s milk is more costly than cow’s milk mozzarella, and prices vary somewhat from producer to producer and dairy source.
What are the Different Types of Mozzarella?
Fresh mozzarella may be made using a variety of animal milk. Because it is rich in fat and casein, milk from water buffalo is difficult to digest raw. It’s valued for producing mozzarella, burrata, ricotta di burrata, yogurt, and other cheeses, although it isn’t consumed as a beverage.
Seek mozzarella ‘fior di latte’, which is produced with pasteurized or unpasteurized cow’s milk, if you want cow’s milk mozzarella in Italy. The ordinary mozzarella seen in the dairy aisle of a grocery shop in the United States would be identical.
Sheep’s milk mozzarella may be found in certain regions of Italy, such as Sardinia, Abruzzo, and Lazio. A few smaller cheesemakers manufacture goat’s milk mozzarella.
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Types of Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese
1 – String Cheese
String cheese is, without a doubt, the finest illustration of low-moisture mozzarella: it’s delicious and stretchy, even though we’re not usually cooking with it. During the process of producing low-moisture mozzarella, string cheese gets its stringy texture from stretching, tugging, and twisting. Additionally, when you want to make your cheese sticks, use the mozzarella string cheese sticks we keep on hand for snacking.
2 – Shredded Mozzarella
This is the most prevalent style of low-moisture mozzarella you’ve probably eaten. The most common form of shredded mozzarella in the United States is sold in bags. Because of its small flavor and melting prowess, it is incredibly versatile. When making an American-style or NY-style pizza, this is the cheese to reach for. It pours and browns, giving you that recognizable cheese-pulling experience we all adore.
What Should be the Daily Limits to Eat Mozzarella Cheese?
Natural cheeses with low-fat content, less sodium, and as much protein as possible are the best options to choose from. Processed cheeses, which are often high in sodium and calories, should be avoided. In comparison to feta and Adam, mozzarella and Emmental have less sodium.
It’s a fantastic food to pair with higher GI meals to balance them out because the cheese has minimal impact on your glucose. Apples with cheese or a small pizza prepared with whole-grain bread, fresh veggies, and mozzarella cheese are good snack ideas.
Since it’s so simple to eat a lot of cheese, it’s preferable to keep the quantity you eat in one sitting limited. Natural cheese or processed cheese weighing 1.5 ounces or 2 ounces is a typical serving size.
Top 6 Benefits of Eating Mozzarella Cheese
Cheese is a healthful food that offers a variety of benefits, including lowering the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. It may also help lower cholesterol levels by providing nutrients like calcium and vitamin K, according to certain studies. You may change your mind after learning more about the nutritional breakdown of mozzarella cheese, even though many people believe it is high in fat, sodium, and calories.
Nutritional Information of Mozzarella Cheese
Every ounce (28 grams) of mozzarella cheese, according to the USDA, contains:
- 7g protein
- 72 calories
- 3g saturated fat
- 4.5g fat
- 0g fiber
- 1g carbs
- 222mg calcium
- 175mg sodium
- 0.8mg zinc
- 131mg phosphorous
1 – Promotes gut health
Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum are both probiotics that may be found in mozzarella cheese. Probiotics support the immune system and are important for gut health. Lactobacillus fermentum, in particular, has been linked to a lower risk of respiratory infections and better blood cholesterol.
2 – Low content of saturated fat
Mozzarella has greater moisture content and lower fat variety than many other varieties of cheese. In comparison to the same amount of saturated fat, it has less. Saturated fat consumption may raise the risk of heart disease if consumed in large quantities.
According to current dietary recommendations, saturated fat should account for no more than 10% of a person’s calories. To put it another way, the quantity of saturated fat in one slice of mozzarella accounts for just over 1% of your total calories if you eat a 2,000-calorie diet.
3 – Great source of protein
Mozzarella has about seven grams of protein per ounce, comparable to that of cooked chicken and other varieties of cheese. Every cell in the body needs protein, which is an important nutrient. It is necessary for cell growth and upkeep, as well as powering your body. Proteins also aid the immune system by manufacturing hormones and enzymes, as well as producing antibodies to fight off diseases and infections.
4 – Contains low sodium content
Mozzarella may be a good option if you’re trying to cut back on sodium. Mozzarella has roughly 50% less sodium and 175 milligrams of sodium per serving than feta and parmesan when compared to the same serving size. This is around 8% of the daily recommended intake, or about 2,300 milligrams each day.
Sodium is an electrolyte that regulates fluids in the body and is required by muscles and nerves to function. Choosing foods with lower levels of sodium since sodium is found in a variety of foods may help to avoid consuming too much of it. In the long term, too much sodium can cause hypertension, and heart and renal problems.
5 – Nutrition rich for healthy teeth and bones
Calcium, phosphorus, and zinc are all essential for bone health, and cheese is a good source of them. Cheese, according to one research, may also be beneficial for dental health. The likelihood of developing dental caries is typically greater at a lower pH in the oral cavity. According to this research, cheese may possess anti-cavity properties that help to raise the plaque’s pH. These compounds may also protect teeth from cavities by adhering to the enamel.
6 – Great source of biotin
Biotin often referred to as Vitamin B7, is found in mozzarella and other dairy products. Because this nutrient is water-soluble, you can use it to fulfill your immediate nutritional needs rather than store them in your body. To overcome a possible biotin deficiency, some pregnant women consume this cheese.
This vitamin may be useful for those who want to enhance their hair, skin, and nail health. Those with brittle nails and hair may benefit from taking it. For people with diabetes, it may additionally help to reduce blood glucose levels.
Final Words
Thanks for reading! In this blog, we’ve discussed mozzarella cheese in-depth and its various nutritional profiles, types, and top 6 benefits for diabetics. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a good cheese plate or want to incorporate mozzarella into your diabetic diet, this blog is definitely for you! We appreciate your time and wish that the information was helpful!
References
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/786586/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/781144/nutrients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30502658
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5867544/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28780094/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23649576/
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/understand-your-risks-to-prevent-a-heart-attack
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-truth-about-fats-bad-and-good
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
