Provolone Cheese Nutrition - Calories, Carbs and Benefits

Understanding Provolone Cheese Nutrition

Provolone is a popular semi-soft Italian cheese that comes in smooth classic provolone or aged provolone piccante varieties. Both types make tasty low-carb additions to recipes and meals. However, provolone cheese calories and macros can vary significantly based on factors like full-fat vs part-skim, serving size, and more. Get the facts on provolone calories, fat, carbs, and protein to incorporate this nutritious cheese into your diet.

Types of Provolone Cheese

There are two main varieties of provolone cheese to understand from a calorie perspective:

• Provolone: Classic smooth provolone ranging from semi-soft to firm depending on aging time. Contains around 45-50% milkfat.
• Provolone Piccante: Dry aged provolone with a sharper flavor. Contains 45-50% milkfat like regular provolone.

Both provolone types then come in full-fat and part-skim versions with different nutrition profiles. Full-fat provolone offers significantly more calories and fat than reduced fat provolone.

Provolone Cheese Serving Size

Pay attention to serving sizes when comparing provolone calories and macros. Nutrition info is usually based on one ounce or 28g. Typical serving sizes include:

• 1 ounce provolone = About 2 thin cheese slices
• 2 ounces provolone = About 4 thinner slices covering a sandwich
• 3 ounces provolone = Heaping pile for pasta primavera

The more provolone cheese you eat per serving, the higher the calories, fat, carbs, and protein totals. Compare calories and nutrition based on your real-world serving sizes.

Calories in Provolone Cheese

Full-fat provolone clocks in around 104 calories for a 1 ounce/28g serving. That compares to around 60 calories in part-skim provolone with 25% less fat. Heres a calorie breakdown:

• Full-fat provolone calories: 104 calories per ounce
• Part-skim provolone calories: 60 calories per ounce

So full-fat provolone provides nearly twice as many calories ounce for ounce vs reduced fat provolone. The extra calories come from the significantly higher fat content.

Provolone Cheese Fat

The majority of provolone calories come from high amounts of fat. An ounce of full-fat provolone cheese contains about 9g of total fat. Part-skim provolone has closer to 5g of fat per ounce. Heres the fat difference:

• Full-fat provolone fat: 9g per ounce
• Part-skim provolone fat: 5g per ounce

Nearly 100 of the 104 calories in full-fat provolone come from fat. So purchasing part-skim greatly reduces calories, fat, and saturated fat intake when eating provolone.

Provolone Cheese Carbs

Provolone is very low in carbs, supplying less than 1g net carb per ounce. After subtracting fiber, an ounce of either full-fat or part-skim provolone cheese contains about:

• 0.5g net carbs

Moderate provolone servings can easily keep net carbs low on lower carb keto and paleo diets. Even full-fat provolone works for low carb eating thanks to minimal carbs.

Provolone vs Mozzarella Calories

Mozzarella is another popular pizza and Italian-style cheese. How do provolone cheese calories compare to mozzarella? Take a look:

• Provolone calories: 104 calories per ounce
• Mozzarella calories: 85 calories per ounce

Ounce for ounce, part-skim mozzarella contains around 20% fewer calories than full-fat provolone cheese. The difference comes down to less total fat and saturated fat in mozzarella.

Provolone vs Swiss Cheese Calories

Swiss cheese gets used often in sandwiches and cheese plates too. Heres how the calories stack up:

• Provolone calories: 104 calories per ounce
• Swiss cheese calories: 111 calories per ounce

Swiss cheese actually contains slightly more calories than provolone - about 7% more per ounce. The increased Swiss cheese fat and protein content outweighs any carb differences.

Provolone Cheese Health Benefits

While provolone is high in calories and fat compared to cheeses like mozzarella, it offers some unique nutritional benefits. Potential provolone health benefits include:

• High amounts of bioavailable calcium for bone health
• Contains phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B12 for cellular function
• Provides conjugated linoleic acid linked to fat burning
• Good source of protein to support muscles

The high calcium content makes provolone an especially bone-friendly choice. Enjoy provolone as part of balanced Mediterranean-style diet for cardiovascular benefits.

Low Carb Provolone Recipes and Meals

Here are some of the tastiest keto and low carb recipe ideas highlighting provolone cheese:

Provolone Breakfast Ideas

• Provolone and prosciutto egg muffins
• Sauted provolone and mushroom omelette
• Keto provolone bagel topped with smoked salmon

Provolone Lunch and Dinner Recipes

• Chicken stuffed with provolone and basil
• Meat lovers pizza with ground beef, sausage, provolone topping
• Creamy baked provolone zucchini noodles au gratin

Provolone Snacks and Appetizers

• Provolone crisp cheese chips
• Caprese bites with provolone, tomato and basil
• Antipasto skewers with provolone, salami, olive

Get creative combining provolone cheese into veggie sides, cauliflower pizza crusts, cheese boards, salads, and more for extra flavor and nutrition!

Tips for Adding Provolone to Your Diet

Here are some simple tips for enjoying provolone cheese as part of a healthy diet:

1. Compare labels and choose part skim to cut fat and calories
2. Weigh servings to keep reasonable portion sizes of 1-2 ounces
3. Pair provolone cheese with fiber-rich low carb vegetables
4. Substitute provolone for half the mozzarella in recipes to boost flavor
5. Select aged provolone piccante for intense taste on charcuterie

Provolone cheese delivers big flavor, creaminess, and nutrition. Savor the rich taste of provolone cheese while keeping calories and carbs in check!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.