Hispanic Cheese May Prevent Obesity
Combining Hispanic cheeses like "queso fresco" with a low calorie diet speeds up metabolism and reduces fat and body weight

Hispanic style cheese known as Queso Fresco or "fresh cheese" may contribute to preventing and fighting obesity and other related health problems.

Several studies have demonstrated that eating dairy foods while consuming a low-calorie diet can work together to speed up metabolism and as a result help reduce fat and body weight.

According to these studies, adults who consumed the recommended daily intakes of calcium in dairy products while consuming a low-calorie diet tended to lose significantly more body weight and body fat than those who consumed only a balanced, reduced-calorie diet with little or no dairy foods.

The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend children and adults consume three servings every day of calcium-rich foods, such as Queso Fresco cheese.

"Queso Fresco contains less calories, fat and cholesterol than other cheeses such as Cheddar, Mozzarella, or processed cheese products like Velveeta ® while providing the recommended daily calcium intake," said Elizabeth Castro, VP of Sales and Marketing at Houston-based Castro Cheese Company. "It's an excellent option for those who want or need to reduce weight."

Follow this link to view the nutrient profiles for 7 types of cheese.

Additionally, Queso Fresco is a good source of calcium and protein. Research continues to show that calcium is important to everyone's health. Beyond building strong teeth and bones, calcium may play an important role in reducing risk of hypertension, kidney stones, cardiovascular diseases, and colon cancer. It may also aid in weight management.

"There's great interest in exploring the benefits of Hispanic cheeses because of obesity problems that children and adults face," continued Castro. "By incorporating Queso Fresco in your daily meals, not only will it help you to get the nutrients you need, but it will help to reduce your risk of certain health problems".

Some US-based companies are working to preserve the desired properties of traditional artisan Hispanic cheeses while following rigorous food quality standards. Such is the case at Castro Cheese Company, a Houston based company that produces a wide variety of Hispanic-style cheeses from pasteurized milk.

The company's proprietary processes maintain the full flavors, textures and cooking properties of those cheeses and creams made in Latin America through traditional methods.
"Fresh cheese" or Queso Fresco is one of the most commonly used ingredients of Hispanic foods, and it is becoming increasingly popular on American tables.

It has a soft, mild flavor and firm but creamy consistency that puts it somewhere between ricotta, mozzarella, and white cheddar.

The cheese has very versatile properties. It can be crumbled and sprinkled over foods (like salads, soups, or enchiladas) and when heated it will soften but won't melt. That is why Queso Fresco is ideal for stuffing vegetables and meats, for casseroles, or to replace less healthy options like cream cheese or feta.

Hispanic cheese is one of the fastest growing food categories in the United States. Production jumped about 183% percent from 1996 to 2008, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.