Skip to content

11 Best Brand Name Cheeses for Weight Loss

Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you have to ditch the dairy—just opt for one of these slimming picks.

Rumor has it that eating cheese can make it nearly impossible to lose weight. Lucky for you cheese lovers, science says it isn't so!

In fact, consuming calcium-rich foods–like your favorite rich and creamy cheese–may have the exact opposite effect. The calcium in cheese can help ward off flab by preventing cellular changes in the body that cause fat storage, studies suggest. Cheese is also packed with protein and fat, which help boost satiety and ward off cravings for unhealthy, processed fare like cookies and candy.

However, if you're serious about slimming down and reaping the body-trimming benefits, some cheeses fare far better than others. The options listed below all come in under 100 calories and have 250 milligrams of sodium or less, making them fair game no matter what your trim-down or health goals may be. Pick some up next time you hit the supermarket and watch that health-harming excess weight melt away!

Eat This!

Athenos Traditional Crumbled Feta, 2 Tbsp

Calories 42
Fat 3.5 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Sodium 200 mg
Protein 3 g

A reasonable fat to-protein ratio makes feta the most reliable go-to crumbled cheese for salads and roasted veggies. Fair warning: if you're watching your sodium intake, be sure to keep portion sizes around the two-tablespoon mark. Feta tends to pack more salt than other cheeses, and this brand is no exception.

Eat This!

The Laughing Cow Original Creamy Swiss, 1 wedge

Calories 50
Fat 4 g
Saturated Fat 2.5 g
Sodium 190 mg
Protein 2 g

This creamy cheese spreads every bit as easily and tastes just as good as its competitor, Alouette, but has half the calories. Smear it on a mini whole-grain pita, top with black olives and roasted red peppers for a quick and easy healthy snack.

Eat This!

Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese, 2 Tbsp

Calories 60
Fat 4 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Sodium 200 mg
Protein 4.5 g

Consider this one of the leanest ways to add big flavor and a punch of protein to your pastas, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables and salads. We don't love that it contains cellulose—an organic compound found in wood, cotton and hemp—to prevent the cheese strands from sticking together, but it's a completely safe additive. Plus, using this instead of grating your own (cellulose-free) cheese shaves a solid five minutes off your meal prep—and every minute counts when the kids are hungry!

Eat This!

Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar, 1" cube

Calories 70
Fat 4.5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Sodium 170 mg
Protein 8 g

This buttery cheese has half the fat of its competitors, but still manages to maintain the creamy texture you crave. This versatile block makes a solid addition to any cheese platter and also fares well melted atop a baked potato, steamed broccoli, or a vegetable omelet.

Eat This!

Sargento Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Sticks, 1 stick

Calories 60
Fat 4.5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Sodium 135 mg
Protein 5 g

Five grams of hunger-busting protein and 15 percent of the day's calcium for just 60 calories?! A portable snack can't get much better than that! Pair it with some almonds or an apple to round out your on-the-go nutrient-packed snack.

Eat This!

Kraft Natural Mexican Style Queso Quesadilla with a Touch of Philadelphia, 1/4 cup

Calories 90
Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Sodium 160 mg
Protein 6 g

Bagged cheese blends tend to carry a heavy calorie toll, but this Mexican mix is a good option for all your melting needs. Plus, shredded cheese helps you get more ooey-gooey coverage for far fewer calories than block cheeses, making them a must-have addition to any skinny kitchen.

Eat This!

Sargento Deli Style Sliced Colby & Monterey Jack, 1 slice

Calories 70
Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Sodium 125 mg
Protein 4 g

Sargento slices its cheeses thinner than the competition, which cuts calories without sacrificing any of its mild yet sweet flavor.

Eat This!

Cabot Creamery Part-Skim Mozzarella Natural Premium Shredded Cheese, 1/4 cup

Calories 80
Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Sodium 170 mg
Protein 8 g

This naturally low-cal, high-protein cheese makes for a great addition to salads, pizzas and veggie dishes. Instead of cellulose, Cabot uses potato starch, corn starch and calcium sulfate (a natural food additive) to prevent caking.

Eat This!

Horizon Organic American Singles, 1 slice

Calories 60
Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Sodium 230 mg
Protein 3 g

If you're looking for an all-purpose burger or sandwich topper, this is your best bet. While Kraft Singles "pasteurized prepared cheese product" has 17 ingredients, this one has only seven. So while it still isn't as great as an unprocessed cheese, it's a far better than its competition. Bonus: A single slice serves up 10 percent of the day's bone-building calcium—pretty darn good for a 60-calorie slice of yellow.

Eat This!

Borden Natural Pepper Jack Cheese Slices, 1 slice

Calories 60
Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Sodium 170 mg
Protein 4 g

This pepper jack cheese gets a kick of flavor from the addition of jalapenos and sweet red peppers. The thin slicing makes it easy to kick up the heat of your favorite sandwich or omelet without adding a ton of calories or saturated fat.

Eat This!

Cabot Cheese Fancy Blend Shredded Cheese, 1/4 cup

Calories 100
Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Sodium 180 mg
Protein 7 g

The sharp cheddar in this blend pairs nicely with the milder, creamy mozzarella. This delicious pre-shredded duo can help you get dinner on the table in record time.

Eat This, Not That!
Inspired by The New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That! is a brand that's comprised of an award-winning team of journalists and board-certified experts, doctors, nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, and dietitians who work together to bring you accurate, timely, informative, and actionable content on food, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, health, wellness, and more. Read more about Eat This