Is Provolone Cheese Good For You? Healthy and Benefits

Last Updated on March 23, 2024 by Aaron

Provolone cheese is a type of Italian cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild flavor.

Provolone cheese is rich in nutrients and good for your health. We will tap into the lactose and histamine content in provolone.

Also, the health benefits of provolone cheese and provide some tips for incorporating it into your diet.

What Are the Health Benefits of Provolone Cheese?

Provolone is a significant source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. It also contains a considerable amount of zinc and vitamin B12 (1).

These nutrients are essential for bone health, muscle function, and energy production. In addition to that, provolone provides a minimal volume (less than 5% of daily need) of potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, Iron, and others.

A standard 1-ounce slice of provolone will give you roughly 10% of daily needed calcium and zinc. That’s a lot!

From boosting the Immune system to bone health, everything…

Zinc is important for wound healing, immune system support, and prostate health. Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production and healthy nerve function.

Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are all important for bone health. Phosphorus is also necessary for energy production and protein synthesis.

Low-carbohydrates

For bodybuilders and dieters who are looking for a cheese that is low in carbohydrates, provolone is an excellent option. A single slice of this cheese contains only 0.6 grams of total carbohydrate (including sugar) – almost negligible!

What About the Lactose?

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem. Fortunately for those who suffer from this issue, provolone cheese is low in lactose. A few slices of provolone cheese are okay!

Keto Diet

If you are following the keto diet, provolone is a great choice of cheese. It is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, making it an excellent source of healthy fats for keto followers. We discussed the exact amount for keto dieters here in another blog post.

FODMAPs

Provolone is a low-FODMAP food, making it a good choice for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you are following the FODMAP elimination diet, provolone is a cheese that you can enjoy.

What are the risks associated with eating provolone cheese?

There are a few potential risks associated with eating provolone cheese. The main one is that it is a high-fat food. Too much high-fat food can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

Another risk is that some people may be allergic to cow’s milk. If you are allergic to cow’s milk, you should try these dairy-free provolone substitutes.

High-Fat

A standard 1-ounce slice of provolone gives you about 23% of the daily saturated fat intake limit (3). If you are following a healthy diet, it’s best to limit your daily saturated fat intake to about 10% of your caloric intake.

Provolone provides a certain amount of cholesterol too but there’s no clear link for that to increase your blood cholesterol. Read more about cheese and cholesterol.

Calories

A good 3 slices of provolone cheese contains about 300 calories. It’s equivalent to about one-seventh of the daily limit (of 2000 calories) for an adult.

If you are watching your calorie intake, be mindful of how much provolone you eat. It can add up quickly!

Also, look out for Histamine and sodium levels

For people with histamine intolerance, provolone is the cheese you need to avoid as it contains a high level of histamine. In fact, it’s a few times higher than other cheeses.

Provolone is a brined cheese and it’s salty. If you are on a low-sodium diet, you should also avoid this cheese as it contains about 735 mg of sodium in just 3 slices – that’s more than 30% of your recommended daily intake!

Lack of vitamin C

Provolone does not contain any vitamin C.

So, Is Provolone Cheese Good For You?

Yes, provolone cheese is definitely good for you! It’s a high-quality source of protein, calcium, zinc, and other essential micronutrients. However, moderation is key. Use it as part of a healthy diet, but don’t go overboard!

Reference:

  1. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=76&contentid=01035-4
  2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zinc
  3. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1592633/nutrients
  4. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/definition-facts
  5. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000838.htm
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