Did you know there can be more than just cheese in your store bought shredded cheese?
Some shredded cheeses contain cellulose from wood pulp and added carbohydrates. Cellulose is a plant fiber that is added to foods to give texture and bulk. It also keeps shredded cheeses from clumping together. One of the main sources for cellulose is wood pulp and although it may seem strange, it is not harmful to your body and it passes through your GI tract unabsorbed. Even though these fibers are harmless, they will add carbs to your cheese. There are a few cheeses that do not contain any of these added carbs. Here are a few from our recent “Love it, Like it, Hate it!” segment on WGNO.
Love it!
The best option is to shred your own cheese, and a great cheese to start with is Cabot Sharp Light Cheese. It’s a great option because it is a lower calorie cheese with no added carb fillers. It also has better flavor, texture and melts more easily than most pre-shredded cheeses. If you would prefer to buy a pre-shredded cheese, another option is the Whole Foods 365 Shredded 3 Cheese Blend because there are no added carbs or cellulose fiber and it’s not too pricey.
Like it!
Kraft 2% Shredded Cheese contains potato starch and cellulose fiber, which are not harmful but do add carbs. It’s a good option if you are not going to go to Whole Foods or shred your own. Some of the ingredients are potato starch, cellulose powder and Natamycyin. Natamycyin is a mold inhibitor that’s banned by Whole Foods but regarded as safe by other government and health watchdog groups. Part of the concern is that it could potentially lead to resistance to topical anti-fungal medications, but there is no evidence to support that normal amounts consumed would lead to resistance.
Hate it!
High Kraft Shredded Cheese and Borden Shredded Cheese are on this list because they contain starchy add-ins and are high in saturated fat. They also contain cellulose powder, potato starch and Natamycyin. If there was a Hate it! Hate it! category, Velveeta Shreds would make it. Not only does it have starchy add-ins and is higher in carbs, it also contains 3 times more salt. Other ingredients include modified food starch, potato starch, cellulose powder, as well as 3 grams of carbs.
So next time your recipe calls for shredded cheese, you should opt for shredding your own or choosing a brand with low cellulose and no added carbs.
For more details on this topic, watch Molly’s full “Love it, Like it, Hate it!” segment on WGNO New Orleans.
