This food gives everyone something to smile about
Madeleine Greey
My kids want to chow down on cheese 24/7. Whether it’s the first gooey thing they tuck into for breakfast or the last little piquant bite before bed, Krystal and Nick can’t imagine life without cheddar, marble and Parmesan. Truth be told, we all gravitate toward cheese as an easy, instant comfort food of choice. Besides, it’s healthy — isn’t it?
You bet. According to the Dairy Farmers of Canada, a single 2 oz (56 g) serving of cheddar cheese boasts as much protein as two large eggs. Cheese also has niacin, riboflavin, vitamin A and zinc, and strikes up the same big bang of calcium as eight medium sardines with bones.
The good news!
In fact, cheese is a top source of bone-building calcium. Just one serving of cheddar supplies 200 mg, or about 20 percent of a child’s daily need. While all cheese has calcium, levels vary widely. There’s a dramatic difference between a tablespoon of grated Parmesan (355 mg calcium) and the same amount of regular cream cheese (12 mg calcium). Here’s how some kid favourites stack up when comparing calcium levels per ounce (28 g) of cheese:
• Romano 302 mg
• Swiss 224 mg
• Mozzarella, part skim 222 mg
• Monterey Jack 211 mg
• Feta 140 mg
• Ricotta 58 mg
• Cottage cheese, creamed 17 mg
• Cheestring, Black Diamond Marbelicious (21 g) 150 mg
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