The good cheese guide

Plain pasta is converted into a comforting bowl of macaroni cheese, and boring cauliflower turns into a family favourite when it's added.

Reserach has introduced into question its bone-building benefits because cheese leaves an acidity residue in your body once it has been digested (milk is neutral or slightly alkaline).

Excessive use of meals which make your body over-acidic can leach calcium in the bones, to be able to bring your body back to pH balance, departing women at elevated chance of weak bones.

Though full of fatty foods, it offers many essential nutrition including protein, vitamin D and zinc in addition to calcium.

Here is a gather of the favourite cheeses and just how healthy they're. All figures derive from a proper portion size 30 grams (a matchbox-size chunk).

Swiss

120 calories, 9g body fat, 290mg calcium

High protein, having a matching high-mineral content. A 30g part of Emmenthal provides greater than a third from the Suggested Daily Allowance (RDA) of calcium and nearly a tenth from the RDA for zinc - required for healthy skin, reproductive health insurance and the defense mechanisms.

Health score: 8/10

Brie

96 calories, 8g body fat, 162mg calcium

Many people assume it is among the fattiest cheeses, however it has 'abnormal' amounts than cheddar or stilton along with a good volume of calcium. It's also an acceptable supply of zinc and also the rind is wealthy in vitamin B2 - required for cells to produce energy.

Health score: 6/10

Camembert

89 calories, 7g body fat, 105mg calcium

Camembert includes a third less body fat along with a quarter less calories than hard cheeses. It has elevated levels of folate that the body requires to create red-colored bloodstream cells, though women that are pregnant (who require a greater consumption of folate) should avoid Camembert.

Health score: 5/10

Parmesan

136 calories, 9.8g body fat, 360mg calcium Very full of calcium, only a tablespoon of Parmesan grated over pasta supplies 15 percent from the RDA. It's also the very best cheese for zinc, even though it has elevated levels of salt.

Health score: 9/10

Cottage Type Cheese

29 calories, 1.2g body fat, 22mg calcium

This is actually the only truly low-body fat cheese, which makes it well suited for dieters. But however a minimal calcium content, which reduces its dietary rating in comparison along with other cheeses.

Health score: 5/10

Cheddar

124 calories, 10.3rd generation body fat, 216mg calcium Among the greatest-body fat cheeses, but it is also a useful source of calcium and zinc. A nationwide favourite, nevertheless.

Health score: 6/10

Half-body fat cheddar

78 calories, 4.5g body fat, 252mg calcium Also greater in protein, calcium and zinc than usual cheddar. But around the downside, it's a little reduced vitamins A and D.

Health score: 9/10

Cream cheese

132 calories, 14.2g body fat, 29mg calcium

The unhealthiest cheese because it is near to 50 percent pure body fat and it has only a small fraction of the calcium content of numerous hard cheeses.

Health score: 2/10

Edam

100 calories, 7.6g body fat, 231mg calcium

Consists of a medium quantity of body fat, is wealthy in calcium, but full of salt same with not advisable for top bloodstream pressure sufferers.

Health score: 8/10

Goat's cheese

59 calories, 4.7g body fat, 57mg calcium

Lower in calories and more potent in vitamin D (an essential bonestrengthener) in comparison with cow's milk cheeses, although not a great resource of calcium or zinc.

Health score: 6/10

Processed cheese slices

78 calories, 5.6g body fat, 213mg calcium Wealthy in calcium minimizing in unhealthy fatty foods than natural cheese. Will get its dubious 'plastic appeal' from added milk proteins, modified starch, chemical preservatives and emulsifiers. Health score: 6/10

Feta

75 calories, 6g body fat, 108mg calcium

Created using sheep's milk, it features a moderate quantity of calcium and less calories than half-body fat cheddar. Feta is another better supply of vitamin D than cow's milk cheese, but can also be the saltiest variety - a 30g portion includes a fifth from the daily guideline intake for ladies.

Health score: 7/10

Mozzarella

90 calories, 7.5g body fat, 155mg calcium

A medium-body fat cheese which may be disproportionately full of unhealthy saturates. However, it features a good calcium content.

Health score: 7/10

Ricotta

56 calories, 4.4g body fat, 63mg calcium Fairly lower in body fat and salt, and consists of low to medium levels of calcium.

Health score: 7/10

Stilton

123 calories, 10.7g body fat, 96mg calcium

Much like cheddar in body fat and calories, but includes a reduced calcium content. It has elevated levels of folate, though, like several blue-veined cheese, it's not appropriate for women that are pregnant because it has a listeria risk.

Health score: 4/10