Cheers! Cheese may not be a big risk to your heart.
Roughly 10 years ago we began to see promising research that cheese, though full of animal fat, might not wreak the same havoc as other dairy products. Could our dreams be coming true? Research is now indeed robust on this topic and a good recent study adds to the coffers (as reported in the Univ. of California WellnessLetter.com this month).
When compared to butter, after a 6-week clinical trial, cheese didn’t raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. In fact, LDL even dropped in some. Can I get a halleluiah? And how about a shout out to all those amazing local cheese artisans who are good to their cows, and thus good to our palates?
The BIG caveat is that cheese is still quite high in calories so be careful to budget for it and savor every bite. If you gain weight, your LDLs will go up for sure.
Thank goodness, though, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we are now confident that a little aged Grafton or Cabot Cheddar won’t hurt our hearts. Add a glass of red wine (if you’re able) and some loved ones (or one in particular) and you’re all set!
As long as you budget for the calories overall, put an end to guilt which, even more robust research will tell you, is much harder on your heart than all saturated fats combined! Besides, the more guilt, the more likely you are to struggle with your willpower, says Stanford University researcher Kelly McGonigal.
So, Cheese is now officially shameless! “Budget, savor, live, love, laugh” reads our new cheesy placard.
For You in Your Workplace
Help people understand the value of savoring their food. Sitting and eating at your desk needs to become the forbidden act. Think of all those crumbly keyboards out there — ugh! If people have a decent space to get away from their work and enjoy a brief meal, they’ll be more likely to come back to their to-do list with vigor. A nice veggie and cheese platter could be a great treat for company gatherings or meetings as well.
See you on the Cheesy PATH Ahead.