Trying to find an excuse to bake cheesecakes or take a trip to the cheesecake factory huh? I get it is a popular dessert, but dang. I wouldn’t try to eat this at a healthy breakfast.
Traditional cheesecake is a cake layered with cheese and other ingredients written in the recipe. It can be served with fresh fruit, strawberry sauce, puddings, chocolate, nuts, and many more delightful dessert toppings delicious desserts.
There needs to be some clarification about cheesecake’s health benefits because it is very high in fat content. The primary ingredient, cheese, contains saturated fat, commonly linked to cardiovascular problems.
And yet it contains calcium which has health benefits like tightening the skin, maintaining healthy bones and teeth, and regulating blood pressure normalization.
Nutritional Benefits Of Cheesecake
Cheese Is A Good Source Of Protein And Calcium
Cheesecake can provide you with some essential nutrients, including protein and calcium. A slice of cheesecake contains about 8 grams of protein. It’s not like a regular cake. This is more than an egg or a glass (8 ounces) of milk. It also has 150 milligrams of calcium, less than 3 ounces of yogurt but more than 8 ounces of milk.
Cheese is also a good source of vitamins A and B-12 (water-soluble vitamins that people need only in small amounts).
Cheese is one of the best protein sources and is also high in calcium. Those two nutrients are essential for healthy bones, muscle growth and development, blood clotting, and nerve function. Cheese also contains phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B12, and riboflavin (vitamin B2).
The calcium in cheese helps strengthen bones because it increases bone density and is essential to other body systems. For example, calcium is needed for nerve conduction, so when you eat cheese regularly, your brain can send messages more efficiently throughout your body. It also helps regulate muscle contractions (when your heart beats or when you breathe). And it keeps your blood pressure steady by keeping arteries flexible.
Calcium isn’t just found in dairy products like cheese; it’s also present in leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale, legumes like soybeans and kidney beans, almonds, and seeds like sesame seeds. So if you’re not eating dairy products, why not incorporate these foods into your diet instead? You’ll get all the same benefits, plus they’ll help reduce cholesterol levels.
Fresh Fruit Toppings Can Add Vitamins And Antioxidants
For added flavor and nutrition, you could add fresh fruits like strawberries or blueberries to your cheesecake. These fruit toppings are high in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which helps boost your immune system when you’re sick. They’re also good sources of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules).
For example, Strawberries are full of vitamin C, which helps protect against free radical damage in the body, or in blueberry cheesecake, blueberries contain anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help protect against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
While fruit toppings are often associated with desserts such as cheesecakes, they can also be used on savory dishes such as quiche and grilled cheese sandwiches. Adding fresh fruit to these dishes boosts vitamins A, C, E, and K, all antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
The main ingredients of cheesecake are cream cheese and sugar. Cream cheese contains no fat or cholesterol but contains saturated fats. Since it is high in fat content, it should be consumed only occasionally or in large quantities. Sugar is also a significant ingredient in this dessert dish. However, some sugar-free varieties available nowadays give the option to people with diabetes or those who wish to lose weight because of their high-calorie content.
Some Types Of Cheesecake, Such As Ricotta Or Goat Cheese, Are Lower In Fat Than Others
When it comes to desserts, cheesecake has a reputation for being rich and fattening. But you can still avoid it if you’re watching your weight or trying to eat healthily.
Cheesecake nutrition depends on what type of cheesecake you choose and how you serve it. Many recipes call for full-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy cream, which are high in saturated fat. However, some cheesecakes, like ricotta or goat cheese, are lower in fat than others:
If you’re watching your weight, Use low-fat ingredients whenever possible. For example, substitute low-fat cream cheese for regular cream cheese in a recipe. Use nonfat sour cream instead of regular sour cream. And use egg whites instead of whole eggs in batter recipes that call for two or three eggs.
Potential Health Benefits Of Cheesecake
It Has A Positive Effect On Gut Health
Emphasis on “potential”. Some research suggests that the probiotics in fermented dairy products like cheese may positively affect gut health. This can help prevent digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis. It may also reduce the risk of developing Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases. The probiotics in cheesecake may also help to prevent colds and flu. One study found that eating yogurt regularly was linked to a lower risk of catching a common cold.
Cheese also contains the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus Casei, which helps regulate the immune system and fight off harmful bacteria in the gut. This can be especially beneficial for anyone with a compromised immune system or at risk for allergies, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
The Protein And Calcium In Cheese May Support Bone Health
Cheese contains protein and calcium, which are essential for building strong bones. Calcium is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and bones since it helps the body absorb phosphorus from food. A high-protein diet may also help reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis (weak or brittle bones) by increasing your body’s ability to use all the calcium you take through foods or supplements. The calcium content of cheese may also support bone health by helping us absorb more calcium from other foods. However, not all cheeses contain significant amounts of calcium, ricotta and cottage cheese are lower in calcium than hard cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan.
The Antioxidants In Fresh Fruit Toppings May Have Anti-inflammatory Effects
Cheesecake might seem like a decadent dessert to indulge in once in a while, but it also has many nutritional benefits! Fresh fruits such as strawberries or blueberries contain plenty of antioxidants called flavonoids which might have anti-inflammatory properties. Flavonoids are found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, including apples, oranges, and spinach! The best part about cheesecake is that it can be made with various ingredients. You can use whatever combination of fruits, nuts, and spices you prefer to create your own delicious dessert!
Tips For Incorporating Cheesecake Into A Healthy Diet
Choose Lower-fat Varieties Of Cheese
Cheesecake is made with a mixture of cream cheese and other ingredients such as eggs and sugar. A typical 8-ounce slice of commercially prepared cheesecake can contain up to 36 grams of fat, more than half the daily recommended amount for most adults (65 grams). But if you’re watching your waistline, there are ways to cut back on calories without sacrificing flavor. Choose lower-fat varieties of cream cheese, such as ricotta or goat cheese, instead of full-fat versions. Similarly, substitute low-fat sour cream for regular sour cream in recipes like cherry crumble pie and banana cream pie.
Use Fresh Fruit As A Topping Instead Of Sugary Syrups Or Sauces
Cheesecake with fruit makes a great low-sugar dessert option. Instead of sugary sauces or syrups on top of your cheesecake, try topping it with fresh fruit. This will add more fiber and vitamins A and C to your meal while reducing excess sugar and calories.
Serve strawberries with your cheesecake for an especially healthy option. Berries are low in calories, but they’re loaded with antioxidants called flavonoids that can help protect against heart disease and cancer. Strawberries also contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to help prevent cancer in lab animals.
Practice Portion Control And Enjoy Cheesecake In Moderation
Portion control is an important part of any healthy diet plan because it helps you keep track of how much food you’re eating at once. Overeating cheesecake at once can make it harder for you to stay within your calorie limits for the day and may cause you to feel full faster than normal, leading you to overeat later on in the day. Instead of eating an entire slice yourself, split one with someone else or save half for breakfast tomorrow morning! To keep your calories in check, choose a slice of cheesecake that’s no larger than a deck of playing cards. The amount of sugar is not healthy. You can also use other foods as substitutes for cheesecake, such as frozen yogurt or sorbet (which is lower in fat and has fewer calories per serving.
While there are some instances where cheesecake should be consumed in moderation, they’re more exceptions than the rule. The numerous health benefits of the dessert make it a viable option whenever you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just because there are health benefits doesn’t mean you should disregard the American Heart Association.
Cheesecake won’t provide your daily value of vitamins. This should be done with moderate consumption. This is not a great way to eat healthily either. Keep these at room temperature. Too much cheesecake is not a good choice.
Conclusion
Despite its indulgent reputation, cheesecake can be part of a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation and paired with nutrient-rich toppings. Cheesecake is a dessert that’s been enjoyed for centuries. It’s creamy and rich but also offers many health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Traditional cheesecake is a cake layered with cheese and other ingredients written in the recipe. It can be served with fresh fruit, strawberry sauce, puddings, chocolate, nuts, and many more delightful dessert toppings delicious desserts.
However, cheesecake is so decadent it can be challenging to have a small serving size without feeling like you’re missing out on something. This being said, feeling like you need more cheesecake than the recommended amount is normal but what matters is your discipline toward maintaining the required amount to ensure that you keep your health in check as you enjoy yourself.
