I don’t think Planet Cheese readers need the Federal Government to tell them that full-fat dairy is healthy. We know that. But I also think most of us don’t consume artisan cheese for the nutrients. We eat it for pleasure, and there’s little pleasure in low-fat cheese so why bother? Personally, I follow the example of the late Robert Mondavi, who lived—and lived well—into his 90s. “Moderation in all things,” proclaimed the vintner. “Even moderation.” That’s why we have double-cream and triple-cream cheeses. When you crave a little over-the-topness, these luscious creations meet the moment.
Read moreGood Health News for Dairy Fans
As an enthusiastic consumer of cheese, yogurt, butter, buttermilk and all things dairy, I’m dismayed that so many people consider these products unwholesome. I associate dairy foods with Heidi, happy cows, spring grass and strong bones. I eat cheese every day and—not boasting here, just saying—I can still fit into my decades-old wedding dress. (Why I know this is another story.) So it was unsettling to read that a majority of respondents in a survey of New Englanders agreed that “dairy products are bad for my health” or were uncertain. Maybe you are uncertain, too.
Read moreWhich Cheese for Good Health?
A recent Washington Post feature ranking the healthfulness of different cheeses made me more than a little cranky. I’m no nutritionist, but I knew some of the claims were not accurate. Others I suspected were not supported by science or at the least misleading. And the whole premise of the story seemed misguided. Unless you’re eating massive amounts, does it really matter to your long-term health whether you choose mozzarella or Cheddar? Life is better with both.
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