The Nutritional Benefits of Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese is a popular choice for pizza, pasta, salads, and more. While regular mozzarella tends to be high in fat and calories, low fat mozzarella cheese offers a more nutritious alternative without sacrificing that delicious creamy flavor.
Low Fat Mozzarella is Lower in Calories and Fat
One of the biggest nutritional benefits of part skim or low moisture low fat mozzarella cheese is that it contains fewer calories and less fat compared to whole milk mozzarella. For example, a 1 ounce serving of whole milk mozzarella contains around 85 calories and 6 grams of fat. The same serving size of reduced fat mozzarella contains about 45-60 calories and 2-4 grams of fat.
This means you can enjoy the wonderful melted, gooey goodness of mozzarella without overdoing it on the calories or fat intake. Whether adding it to a homemade pizza, pasta bake, or caprese salad, low fat mozzarella allows you to moderate your portions.
Good Source of Protein
In addition to being lower in fat and calories, reduced fat mozzarella is still packed with protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, supporting weight management, keeping you feeling full between meals, and maintaining bone strength.
A 1 ounce serving contains about 7-8 grams of protein. So adding some part skim mozzarella cheese to your meals and snacks will contribute high-quality protein to help you meet your daily needs.
Provides Calcium for Strong Bones
Low moisture part skim mozzarella is also an excellent source of calcium, providing 207mg per ounce. Calcium plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, regulating muscle contractions, supporting nerve signaling, and managing blood pressure.
Getting enough calcium is especially important for growing children and teens, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, women over 50, and the elderly to reduce the risks of fractures and osteoporosis later in life. The calcium in low fat mozzarella helps you meet your recommended daily target.
Comparing Low Fat and Regular Mozzarella
When deciding whether to opt for reduced fat or regular mozzarella cheese, it helps to compare their basic nutritional profiles.
Fat Content
As touched on earlier, the main difference between low moisture part skim mozzarella and whole milk mozzarella is the amount of fat they contain.
Regular mozzarella is made from whole cows milk, meaning none of the milk fat is removed. So it is high in saturated fat and calories. Low fat mozzarella is made using partly skimmed milk with some of the fat content taken away. It has at least 30% less milk fat than regular mozzarella.
Calories
Thanks to that reduced milk fat content, low moisture part skim mozzarella is clearly the lower calorie choice. Per ounce, it contains roughly 45-60 calories compared to around 80-85 calories in regular mozzarella.
If choosing mozzarella for a salad, sandwich, wrap or other meal, those extra calories can really add up from regular mozzarella. So low fat mozzarella allows you to cut back for a lighter option.
Taste and Texture
In many cases, part skim and whole milk mozzarella can be used interchangeably in recipes without any major impact on taste or texture.
Low moisture part skim mozzarella still offers that soft, moist bite and distinctive tang that makes it so ideal for melting or grilling. However, some find that the lower moisture content causes reduced fat mozzarella to be slightly more rubbery and less creamy.
So the choice comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize lower fat and calories or the creamiest taste and texture.
How to Pick the Best Low Fat Mozzarella
Not all reduced fat mozzarella cheeses are created equal. Heres what to look for when shopping the dairy aisle for the healthiest low moisture part skim mozzarella option:
Low Moisture
Low fat mozzarella cheese labeled as low moisture will have less water content compared to fresh mozzarella. The lower moisture allows it to melt better making it perfect for pizza, lasagna, grilled cheese, and other dishes.
Part Skim Milk
Check the ingredients list to confirm your low fat mozzarella cheese is made using partly skimmed milk. This means some of the milk fat has been removed to cut back on saturated fat and calories compared to whole milk mozzarella.
No Unnecessary Additives
The best reduced fat mozzarella cheeses stick to simplicity for ingredients. It should contain Part Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Vinegar, Salt, and Enzymes. No thickeners, stabilizers, gums or preservatives are necessary.
Proper Storage
For best quality and food safety, always refrigerate unopened low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese at 40F or below. After opening, tightly rewrap it in plastic wrap to help prevent drying out. Use within 7-10 days for peak freshness.
Delicious Ways to Use Low Fat Mozzarella
Because it melts so beautifully, reduced fat mozzarella cheese shines in hot dishes. But it also adds nutritious flavor to salads, appetizers and more. Here are some tasty ideas for how to enjoy low moisture part skim mozzarella:
Pizza
Pile diced low fat mozzarella atop your favorite homemade or store-bought pizza crust for an easy, delicious meal. Add veggies like mushrooms, onions and peppers or top with pepperoni or Italian sausage.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Buttery grilled cheese sandwiches get a protein and calcium boost when you add sliced or shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese. Use hearty whole grain bread and add tomato slices or turkey for extra nutrition.
Cheesy Baked Ziti or Lasagna
For a hearty Italian classic the whole family will love, make cheesy baked ziti or lasagna using lower moisture part skim mozzarella. The gooey, melty cheese pairs perfectly with the pasta and tomato sauce.
Caprese Salad
A summer Caprese salad is fresh and fast to make. Simply alternate sliced reduced fat mozzarella cheese, juicy tomato slices and whole basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese offers a versatile lower calorie alternative to regular mozzarella. With plenty of protein and calcium too, its a nutritious choice for many recipes and dishes.
FAQs
Does low fat mozzarella cheese taste different?
Low moisture part skim mozzarella has a very similar taste and texture to regular mozzarella, though some find it's slightly more rubbery and less creamy due to the lower milk fat and moisture content. For most cooking purposes like pizza and pasta bakes, you likely won't notice much of a difference.
Is low fat mozzarella good for a keto diet?
No, mozzarella labeled as "low fat" or "reduced fat" contains around 2-4 grams of fat per ounce. A true low carb keto diet limits net carbs to under 20-50g daily. So low fat options are too high in carbs to support ketosis.
Does low fat mozzarella melt properly?
Yes, low moisture part skim mozzarella is designed specifically to melt evenly and beautifully. Thanks to the lower moisture and higher acidity from added citric acid, it can form that stretchy texture on baked dishes like pizza or lasagna.
What’s the shelf life of opened low fat mozzarella?
Store opened packages of shredded or sliced low moisture part skim mozzarella tightly wrapped in an airtight container or bag in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 7-10 days. After that, you may notice drying, color changes or sour flavor development.
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.
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