There is definitely room for cheese in a healthy, balanced diet. The nutrition community is largely in agreement that fat, especially “good fat” plays an important role in our diets. There are many many food plans out there, but most encourage the consumption of cheese as a protein and fat choice. 

Fats from plants and fish rank the highest in the health continuum. But would it surprise you to learn that a particular category of fat from dairy products comes with plenty of good for you goodness?

Butterfat, the fat in milk that is found in dairy products, isn’t equal across the board. Look for dairy products made with the milk of grass fed cows. These include greater amounts of health-supporting vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K2 to support bone and heart health, vitamin A to support thyroid and heart health, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which helps reduce belly fat and encourages muscle growth.

To answer your next question, yes! Face Rock is made with grass-fed cow’s milk. Our primary dairy partner grazes its herd all year on pastures enriched with ocean air in the nearby Coquille Valley. 

Nutrition details aside, fat helps us feel full and resist craving temptations. Pairing an ounce of cheddar with an apple or a pear is a great way to get a punch of fat and fiber to keep the craving beast at bay. The milk we use is higher in butterfat than many other cheeses, so that creamy texture is holding plenty of the the good stuff we’re talking about here.

Cheddar is also one of the higher-protein cheeses with about 6-7g per ounce. Our older aged cheddars have even more protein as the carbs are replaced by protein in the aging process.

So, when you’re looking for sources for fat and protein, make sure to choose a better-for-you cheese and keep your nutrition goals moving forward.