The Least Healthy Kinds Of Cheese
What are the least healthy kinds of cheese? Many people love all kinds of cheeses but no matter what, it’s not the healthiest of food choices. It’s worth mentioning that moderation is key when it comes to almost any kind of food. Cheese happens to be rich in nutrients like calcium and protein, but because it’s high in fat, it has a lot of calories. That doesn’t necessarily mean giving it up. Certain cheeses are healthier than others.
To help health-conscious eaters know which cheeses to avoid or only eat occasionally, Mashed, a foodie news website compiled a list of the most unhealthiest kinds of cheeses you can buy at the grocery store. They looked into the nutrition of cheeses, like fat and sodium, as well as chemicals and additives in cheeses.
The Most Unhealthiest Kinds Of Cheeses You Can Buy
Luckily, the cheese selection at many grocery stores has plenty of options to choose from. “Certain soft cheeses pack a lot of saturated fat. Hard cheeses like feta and Parmesan have lower fat content but are high in sodium,” said the outlet.
First on their list is American cheese. American cheese is made by melting cheeses like Cheddar, Colby, and Swiss together and combining the mixture with an “emulsifying agent.” American cheese is usually sold in slices and can be white, yellow, or light orange. It has a mild, creamy, and salty taste and melts really well, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches or burgers. The website points out that American cheese is heavily processed, which makes it one of the least healthy cheeses you can buy at the grocery store.
“Most cheeses are preservative-free and only contain natural ingredients. Since American cheese is a blend, it uses binding agents like tricalcium phosphate to prevent caking,” they said. “Preservatives like sorbic acid and lactic acid are also added,” they added. According to Wisconsin Cheeseman, American cheese is not a “true cheese,” but rather a “pasteurized processed cheese food.”
Second on their list is a cheese I’m not quite familiar with, mascarpone cheese. Apparently, it’s a spreadable cheese that’s smooth and fluffy. It works well in anything from lasagna, mashed potatoes, cheesecake, and tiramisu. The ranking indicates that it’s high in saturated fat, over 70%. One ounce of this mascarpone has 13 grams of fat, 7.7 grams of saturated fat, and 0.2 grams of trans fat.
Third on their list is double Gloucester. It’s firm, crumbly cheese that is orange in color with a creamy, nutty taste. They highlighted how it’s one of the most fattening cheeses you can buy. Double Gloucester is made with full-fat milk and aged for around four months.
Other cheeses mentioned on the ranking include Brunost, cheese from a can or jar, brie, stilton, pre-grated Parmesan, and others. See the full ranking here.
Foods You Should Probably Skip Air Frying
Large Bone-In Meat
We’re not talking about chicken wings here, we’re talking about large whole chickens. You’re better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you’re wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn’t guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it’s raw meat.
tasha_lyubina/ Getty Images
Wet Batters
An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you’re looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There’s a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn’t know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn’t wash their air fryer basket after each use. “I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today,” they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of “solidified juices” and “fat/ grease” from steak and chicken.
Fabián Ponce/ Getty Images
Cheesy Foods
It’s possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn’t because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.
Wirestock/ Getty Images
Leafy or Chard Greens
Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven’t tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don’t put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don’t want to forget the seasonings.
Martin Barraud/ Getty Images
Popcorn
Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn’t. Most air fryer models won’t reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer’s heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.
Prostock-Studio/ Getty Images
Pasta, Quinoa, Rice, Grains
Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn’t do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that’s already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.
egal/ Getty Images
