Cream Cheese Nutrition Facts

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Making Cream cheese
• Nutrition Facts
• Benefits of Cream Cheese
• Tips and Tricks
• Flavored Cream Cheese
• Butter and Cream Cheese
• Allergies and Interactions
• Food Uses
• Common Questions

Cream cheese is made from milk and cream. It is a smooth, usually mild-tasting fresh cheese. In industrial processing, stabilizers such as carob bean gum and carrageenan are also added. It is used on crackers and bread, or as a foundation for dips, cheesecake, or frosting. Cream cheese is a perfect choice for beginners if you’re just getting started making cheese at home.

Making Cream cheese

You’re in luck – cream cheese is one of the best ways to start when it comes to home cheese making. It also gives you control over the ingredients in the foods that your family eats by making homemade cream cheese.

Usually, it is made from cream but can be made with a mixture of cream and milk as well.

Second, to remove any potentially harmful microorganisms, the cream is heat-treated by pasteurization. Lactic acid bacteria are then added, rendering the cheese slightly acidic.

Fat droplets from the cream are divided into smaller and more uniform drops. Hence, providing it a smooth texture.

Thicken the cheese with additives such as carob bean gum and carrageenan. Finally, to enhance the firmness, a clotting enzyme is used. This enzyme is extracted from either a plant or animal source.

The cheese must contain at least 33 percent fat in the United States. It has less than 55 percent moisture by weight.

Nutrition Facts

In general, 1 ounce (28 grams) of regular cream cheese provides the following nutrition

Calories	99 KCal
Protein	2g
Fats	10g
Carbs	2g
Fiber	0g
Vitamin A	10% of DV
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)	5% of DV

Carbs

It contains a small number of carbs and protein and is high in fat. This is a strong source of vitamin A and provides riboflavin (vitamin B2).

Fewer carbohydrates are present in it. A single serving contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates (0.8 grams) mainly in the form of sugar. However, if you buy some forms of flavored cheese, the carbohydrate content is more.

For example, Brown Sugar Cheese Spread, a Philadelphia brand, contains 7 grams of sugar per serving. So, the serving size is 2 tablespoons.

Fats

Saturated fat is the bulk of the fat in cream cheese. A single serving of cream cheese contains 5 grams of total fat and 5 grams of saturated fat. A small amount of polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat (0.2 grams) are also present.

Protein

In a single serving of cheese, there is just less than 1 gram of protein (0.9 grams). But whipped cream cheese has much lower calories. Since the whipping process adds air to the cheese and fluffs it up. With the same size serving, it seems like you get more cream cheese. As an ingredient, some brands often add skim milk, which reduces the fat content.

Benefits of Cream Cheese

It is a total nutritious food since it includes almost all nutrients, including vitamin B12. 100g of cream cheese contains 350 calories and 34 g of fat in total.

For those with lactose intolerance, cream cheese contains small amounts of lactose (1 g/oz). It is one of the dietary sources of calcium. Almost all of the lactose in cow milk that exists naturally is converted into lactic acid that is more readily digestible.

Cream cheese is gluten-free as it is a dairy product. It is another essential source of gluten-free food products. It is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins, perfect for gluten-sensitive people (Celiac disease).

All the main milk constituents, such as lactose, milk lipids, and milk proteins, undergo biochemical changes during the curdling process.

Like cheddar cheese, it is the finest source of dietary calcium and phosphorus. This plays an integral role in the growth and development of child health along with vitamin D.

It offers high-quality protein that is rich in all the important amino acids required for development and growth. This helps to remain healthy. A 100g of cream has a protein content of 6-10 g.

It is a very good source of fat-soluble vitamins, especially vitamin A. A 100g of aged Cream contains 1,111 IU (37% of RDI) of this vitamin.

Further, it is a very good source of minerals, especially calcium (10% of RDI), phosphorus (15% of RDI), zinc (4% of RDI), and magnesium.

Tips and Tricks

For the best flavor of cream cheese, use all the cream. If you’re trying to make cream cheese with a lower fat content, we recommend using all the whole milk.

Heat your cream or milk thoroughly. It may not set up or taste unpleasant later by heating milk too quickly.

If you want to make big quantities of cream cheese, use one gallon of milk or a combination of milk and cream. Only follow the recipe by using a Starter Culture. You can make it by using 4 drops of liquid rennet with a 1/4 teaspoon of culture.

Flavored Cream Cheese

Flavored cheese calories will also depend on the kind you purchase. Sweet flavors such as mixed berry or strawberry cream cheese will add fruit or fruit puree to increase both the amount of sugar and calories. It may have added salt to savory flavors such as chives, so the sodium level may be slightly higher. The calories will likely remain the same.

Butter and Cream Cheese

You should take more than just the calorie and fat content into account if you are trying to determine between butter and cheese in the morning as you prepare your morning meal. A few factors can depend on the nutrition of your meal:

It is easier to spread on toast or a bagel. It could be simpler to use less cream cheese than butter for that purpose. As a consequence, you’ll eat fewer calories and less saturated fat. Bear in mind, though, that many people prefer a thicker layer of cream cheese compared to butter. This will increase the calorie content.

You’ll also cut calories if you use the whipped variety of cream cheese or the whipped version of butter.

The bagel or toast you put on the spread will add more empty calories to your diet than the butter or cheese will. Carbs, calories, and very little protein are added to your diet by white bread, bread goods, and bagels. Instead, try picking a serving of whole-grain bread or bagels.

Allergies and Interactions

As it includes cow’s milk, people who have a milk allergy should avoid it. Milk allergy symptoms may vary from mild to extreme and may include wheezing, vomiting, hives, and digestive issues. Milk exposure can cause anaphylaxis as well.

In addition, lactose-intolerant individuals may want to avoid it. Nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea are signs of lactose intolerance.

Food Uses

In many mouth-watering desserts and savory recipes, it is a very handy and versatile dairy ingredient that chefs love to work with. It complements the fruits and vegetables well.

In cooking, it can be helpful in savory dishes such as stuffing chicken/vegetables, dips, sauces, and soups. However, it is primarily added in many desserts such as cakes, donuts, bagels, or cream-filled/stuffed in bread, croquettes, and muffins.

It is a spread made of dairy.

It’s a decent source of vitamin A and doesn’t have a lot of lactose. It is, however, low in protein and high in calories and fat, so it is best to use it in moderation.

Common Questions

Is cream cheese healthier than butter?

A healthier topping with 90 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat is light cheese, but peanut butter is even healthier.

What is the purpose of cream cheese?

A healthier topping with 90 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat is light cheese, but peanut butter is even healthier.

Is cream cheese bad for your heart?

Fatty foods such as cheese, butter, and cream are often thought to be the culprits of heart disease, but a diet high in saturated fat could bring significant health.

Which cream cheese is the healthiest?

With 2 teaspoons clocking in at 70 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 3 grams of saturated fat, light cheese has even fewer calories. Fat-free has about half of the whipped or light calories.