What's the healthiest cheese? The calories, saturated fat and salt content of your favourite cheeses

Not all cheeses are created equal, and if you are looking to include them as part of a healthy diet, here’s what you need to know, says dietitian Orla Walsh

Not all cheeses are created equal. Photo: Getty Images

Orla Walsh

It’s understandable that people are concerned about their saturated fat intake. Heart disease is a big killer in Ireland. Heart disease deaths can be prevented, or at least pushed into older age by managing blood pressure, blood sugar levels and weight, as well as not smoking, being physically fit, sleeping enough and eating well.

There is a strong public health message to reduce your intake of saturated fat in order to reduce your risk of heart disease. This is because saturated fat pushes up cholesterol levels, particularly unhealthy LDL ‘bad’ fats, which increase risk of heart disease and stroke.