Whether it’s about topping a pizza, enjoying in a burger or sandwich, or simply spreading on bread, Amul cheese is one of the most popular choice for people.
From kids to adults, everyone seems to love this delicious cheese. Not only it taste good, but is also a good source of many essential nutrients.
However, is Amul cheese good for health?
Short answer: Amul cheese is good for health as it is made up of safe ingredients and is a good source of protein, calcium and vitamin A. However, it is high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat. Therefore, it is important to consume it in moderation.
Read on to find out more about Amul Cheese including it’s ingredients, protein, calcium content and more.
Read also: Is Amul Butter Good For Health? 4 Reasons To Limit Its Consumption
What are the ingredients in Amul cheese?
Amul cheese is available in a variety of forms such as slices, spreadable cheese, Emmental cheese, Gouda cheese, Mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and cubes.
Therefore, the exact ingredients can vary depending on the variety.
In general, Amul cheese is made up of cheese, sodium citrate, common salt, citric acid, emulsifiers salts, preservatives and natural color(annatto).
Let’s know a little bit about some of the ingredients in Amul cheese.
- Cheese: It is the main ingredient in Amul cheese, which gives it its distinct flavor and texture. It is made from graded cow or buffalo milk using microbial rennet, a type of enzyme that helps in the cheese-making process.
- Emulsifying salts: These are added to improve the texture and consistency of the cheese.
- Sodium citrate: It is an emulsifier that helps to bind the fats and proteins in the cheese together.
- Common salt: Common salt, also known as sodium chloride, is an important component of cheese, as it helps to control the growth of bacteria and prevents mold formation. It also enhances the flavor of cheese and helps to preserve it.
- Preservatives: These are added in Amul cheese to ensure its shelf life and prevent spoilage. Two common preservatives in Amul cheese include sorbic acid(E200) and nisin(E234).
- Annatto (natural color): It is a natural color derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. This ingredient gives Amul cheese its characteristic yellow-orange color.
Amul cheese does not contain any potentially harmful ingredients.
It is free from artificial additives such as flavors, colors or preservatives.
So, ingredients-wise, Amul cheese is good for you.
Nutritional value of Amul cheese
The nutritional value of Amul cheese can vary depending on the form.
In general, Amul cheese is high in calories, saturated fat and sodium. Additionally, it’s a good source of protein, calcium and vitamin A.
Here is the nutritional value of single serving(20g) of Amul cheese slice:
- Calories: 311
- Carbohydrates: 1.5g
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Fat: 25g (16g of saturated fat)
- Cholesterol: 75g
- Protein: 20g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Calcium: 300mg
- Vitamin A: 51 mcg
4 Reasons Amul cheese is good for health
1. Good source of protein
Amul cheese (slice) is a good source of protein containing 20g per serving (20g).
For each serving of 1g, there is 1g of protein.
This is good for individuals looking to increase their protein intake, such as athletes, bodybuilders, or those following a high-protein diet.
2. High in calcium
Amul cheese (slice) is a good source of calcium-containing 300mg per serving(20g).
That’s about 30% of the daily recommended calcium for adults.
Calcium is essential to keep your bones and teeth healthy. The lack of calcium can lead to a condition called osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak and brittle.
3. No added sugar
Amul cheese is free from added sugar or other artificial sweeteners.
So if you have restricted sugar, you can undoubtedly add Amul cheese to your diet.
In addition, eating cheese is also safe for diabetics as a part of a balanced and healthful diet.
4. Good for gut health
Cheese is a fermented food containing beneficial probiotics, which are live bacteria that promote gut health.
These probiotics help protect the gut from harmful bacteria, which improve digestion and boost your immune system.
Are there any downsides to Amul cheese?
While Amul cheese is delicious to eat and high in nutrients like protein and calcium, it is important to consume it in moderation.
Here are some of the downsides of Amul cheese.
1. High in saturated fat
Amul cheese (slice) is high in saturated fat containing 16g in a single serving(20g).
That’s over the daily limit of 13g of saturated fat set by the American Heart Association.
Saturated fat are known as bad fats as consuming excess of them increases the risk of heart diseases such as stroke and high cholesterol levels.
2. High in sodium
Amul cheese (slice) is high in sodium containing 1200mg per serving (20g).
That’s about 80% of the daily ideal sodium limit (1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
While sodium is essential part of the diet, too much of it can result in heart related problem such as high blood pressure and stroke.
If you are someone limiting sodium intake, it’s best to avoid Amul cheese.
3. High in calories
Amul cheese (slice) is high in calories containing 311 per serving.
If consumed in excess, Amul cheese can result in weight gain.
What are the different ways to use Amul cheese?
Amul cheese is a versatile food that can be used in a variety of ways.
It can be eaten alone, used as an ingredient in cooking, or even incorporated into other dishes.
Some of the most popular ways to eat Amul cheese include:
- Eating it plain.
- Adding it to crackers or bread.
- Making grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Putting it on top of burgers or pizza.
- Making macaroni and cheese.
- Including it in omelets or scrambled eggs.
- You can add it to melted dishes such as soup and sauce recipes.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to using cheese. Be creative and experiment to find your favorite way to enjoy it!
Who should avoid eating Amul cheese?
While Amul cheese is a great addition to any food, it may not be suitable for everyone. This includes:
- Individuals with a casein allergy, which is a protein found in dairy products, should avoid consuming Amul cheese.
- Some people have allergies specifically to cheese and should refrain from eating it.
- If you are allergic to milk or lactose intolerant, it is best to limit your consumption of Amul cheese.
- Individuals aiming to lose weight should be cautious with their Amul cheese consumption or consume it in moderation. Due to its higher saturated fat content, it is not ideal for weight loss.
- People with heart disease or high cholesterol should avoid Amul cheese due to its high saturated fat content, which can negatively impact their condition.
- Individuals on specific medications should consult their doctor before including Amul cheese in their diet.
- If you have hypertension or frequently experience high blood pressure, it is advisable to limit your consumption of Amul cheese to a minimum.
How much Amul cheese should you consume in a day?
According to the American Heart Association, you should eat no more than three portions of cheese per day, with each serving being no more than 42g.
However, I think this amount of cheese is still a lot for someone looking to lose weight or restrict specific things like sodium, fats, or calories.
It is recommended to stick to just one serving of Amul cheese a day, which is 20g.
Final words
After looking at the various aspect of Amul cheese, it can be concluded that it is good for health but only in moderation.
Consuming too much of it can increase the risk of various health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and weight gain.
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