Cheese addiction: Why is cheese bad for you?

Is cheese delicious?

I don’t know very many people who would answer “no” to that. Love it or hate it, it’s a question that everyone can answer instantly.

But is cheese healthy?

That’s far more difficult to answer.

See, we’re raised with the idea that milk and everything made from it – like cheese and yogurt – is good for our health. Dairy food has calcium and calcium is good, right?

But wait a minute… cheese is also high in saturated fat, and we know that’s bad.

And if you’ve ever read up on it, you’ve probably seen studies both in favor and against it in terms of health.

It’s no wonder this question seems like such a tricky one!

And yet it’s very important to know the answer if you’re trying to eat healthy. As a self-proclaimed cheese lover, the truth wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear – but as they say, knowledge is power.

It turns out that not only is cheese pretty bad for you health-wise, but it’s also very hard to give up because it has addictive properties. Here’s a look at the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to cheese.

Is cheese good for health?

It can be argued that cheese is nutritious in the sense that it provides a generous amount of calcium, which is good for your bones and teeth. It also contains plenty of protein and vitamin B12. Plus, dairy foods in general can raise the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

But cheese isn’t the only source of these nutrients – and it has some big drawbacks that should give you serious pause.

Why is cheese bad for you?

Dairy products, and cheese in particular, are a big source of saturated fats, which can raise your levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease.

One large study has shown that replacing around 5 percent of the calories you get from dairy fat with a similar number of calories of unsaturated fat from veggies was linked with a 24 percent lower cardiovascular disease risk. That’s pretty significant!

Replacing dairy fat with animal fat from meat, on the other hand, would actually raise your cardiovascular risk, which is a fact that the dairy industry uses to make its products seem healthier than they really are. Yes, cheese may be healthy when you compare it to meat, but it’s certainly not a better choice than vegetables!

Cheese addiction is real

Once you see the bigger picture when it comes to cheese, you might vow to cut it from your diet, but doing so is a lot easier said than done – and there’s a biological reason for that.

You might jokingly tell people that you’re “addicted” to cheese, but the truth is that you very well could be, scientifically speaking.

It’s a protein in cheese known as casein that gets you hooked on its gooey goodness. Your body breaks down the casein in cheese into a morphine-like compound known as casomorphin, which tells your brain to release dopamine. This gives you feelings of pleasure and reward.

There’s a pretty good reason for this: breast milk also contains casein, and the good feeling it gives babies ensures they’ll want to keep drinking the nutrient-rich milk their mother provides.

So be kind to yourself if you’re having trouble reducing your cheese intake. It’s okay if you have a little once in a while, but keep in mind that it’s hard to stop there.

On the occasions where you do indulge, measure out a small amount and then put the package away, and be sure to pair it with vegetables, fruits or whole grains with plenty of fiber to fill you up and curb cravings.

What about vegan cheese?

Unfortunately, store-bought vegan cheeses aren’t much better. Most of these are “products” and not real, whole foods. They’re often full of highly processed ingredients, refined oils, color additives, and preservatives to make them look, taste and melt like the real thing.

But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the great flavor of cheese when you’re eating a whole food, plant-based diet.

For example, I make a cheese sauce that uses pumpkin – yes, pumpkin – and other healthy, whole food ingredients that solves those cheese cravings in a healthy way.

Nutritional yeast flakes add a rich umami flavor that is very similar to cheeses like parmesan, and you can use them in pastas and soups where you want that familiar cheese taste without the risks of eating cheese.

Cutting out dairy may help your skin

Cheese was one of the hardest foods for me to reduce, but when I did, the difference in my skin was nothing short of amazing. I had tried every expensive product you could think of to address my adult acne, and most of them only worked temporarily – and some even made it worse.

I never made the connection between my adult acne and my diet, but I’ve since learned that lots of other people have had similar improvements when they shifted their diet away from dairy food. That’s why I think of a whole food plant-based diet as being a “clear skin diet” as well.

You don’t have to say goodbye to cheese forever

If you can’t imagine giving up dairy for good, join the club.

Like everything, moderation is the way to go here.

If I REALLY want a piece of regular dairy cheese (or I’m vacationing in Switzerland, the land of cheese fondue, and it’s calling my name), I’ll have it – but I keep it to a minimum.

That’s the beauty of a whole food plant-based diet. You can still have foods like cheese here and there, but with time, you’ll find that you crave it less and less – especially when you try my Creamy Pumpkin Cheese Sauce in your Mac and Cheese or as a dip on game night with nachos or raw veggies.

You see, when your daily diet is balanced and loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals from whole foods, a lot of your unhealthy food cravings will subside naturally – and you’ll find yourself looking forward to all the mouth-watering new flavors you’ll discover as you shift toward a healthier way of eating!