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Cheese is among the most nutritious foods that are enjoyed all over the world. According to experts, the popularity of cheese has been on the rise, with each person eating an average of 34 pounds a year. Being a great source of calcium, fat, and protein, cheese is packed with essential nutrients like vitamins A and B12, along with zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin – which helps you maintain healthy bones and joints. But you need to be careful while eating this dairy product if it comes from a packet.

According to Dr. Dimple Jangda, eating cheese slices can have adverse effects on your overall health. “Processed cheese that you are buying from that famous FMCG company is not feeding your health but is actually feeding your disease," she said in an Instagram video.

Dr. Jangda says those who eat processed cheese are at high risk of cardiovascular disease and weight gain. She has listed a few reasons why it may do so.

Processed cheese has a long shelf life due to high mounts of preservatives and additives. “This means it is loaded with preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colours, and if you leave that slice of cheese in your refrigerator and come back after six months, you will find that it is in the same state,” she said adding it means that your cheese is not good for your digestion.

A single cheese slice has 400 gms of sodium in it – which can lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease. Cheese is also a calorie-dense food and depending on which variety you eat, every ounce that you consume has around 100 calories.

Cheese is also in high in fat – including saturated fat, which can lead to high cholesterol levels, causing heart attacks.

Processed cheese has no nutritional value, including no fibre, and eating a diet containing very high amounts of dairy may lead to severe constipation and other digestion issues. “It (nutrition) has been completely ripped off and stripped away and all you are eating is preservatives, additives, and unhealthy fats,” she said.

Processed cheese is extremely high in lactose - a sugar that cannot be digested by lactose intolerant people since their bodies lack the enzyme that breaks it down. In these cases, eating lactose can lead to digestive problems including gas, bloating, and diarrhoea.

Some people can use lactase pills or drops to prevent symptoms, but it’s best to talk with a doctor before trying it. If you decide to try lactase supplements, a pharmacist or registered dietitian can help you get started.

According to Dr. Jangda, you must replace processed cheese with “natural cheese which has lesser shelf life,” like:

Cottage cheese or paneer

Mozerella

Feta

Vegan cashew cheese

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