Tina Sassine – Choosing Nutrition

Ooey gooey deliciousness, cheese dips are the perfect appetizers. Served with chips for dipping or on top of nachos, hot or warmed up, cheese dips are versatile. In addition, there are many kinds of cheese dips on the market nowadays, including both dairy and plant-based options. Some of these top brands contain dairy, while others are dairy-free cheese dip alternatives. Bottom line, all of these brands are gluten-free and absolutely delicious. Mrs. Renfros Nacho Cheese Sauce, Medium Siete Cashew Queso, Dairy Free, Mild Nacho Wegmans Queso Dip Good Foods Plant Based Queso Style Dip On The Border Salsa Con Queso In this article, we will discuss the nutritional content of each of these cheese dips. Additionally, we will discuss some healthier alternatives to cheese dips. Grab your chips and let's dig in! What Is Cheese Dip? Cheese dip is a dish that is often served as an appetizer. It is made of primarily cheese(s) or processed cheese products, with or without additional ingredients. It is often combined with other ingredients such as meat, vegetables, milk, and seasonings. Then, it is baked or melted and served warm or hot. Cheese dip is primarily eaten by dipping hard tortillas, chips, bread, crudités, or other foods into the said product. Legend has it that cheese dip was invented in the 1930s by the owners of a Mexican restaurant in Arkansas or Texas. Melted cheese dishes were part of Mexican cuisine for several years prior. There are many different types of cheese dip. The types of cheeses and ingredients used differ from one cheese dip recipe to the next. There are thousands of recipes. Some dips might be sweeter than others since they could be made with cream cheese. Other dips might even be vegan alternatives that have no cheese in them at all. Currently, the most popular variation of cheese dip includes processed cheese mixed with chili sauce. Nowadays, there are also plant-based cheese dips sold in variety of stores, from Whole Foods to Trader Joe's. Utilizing the creaminess of cashews, these dips are completely dairy-free. However, they are not suitable for those with a nut allergy. Nutritional Content of Cheese Dip Delicious as can be, unfortunately cheese dips are not the healthiest food choice. Though often they are a good source of protein and calcium, cheese dips are also high in saturated fat and salt. This means consuming too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These conditions increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). At home, you can make cheese dip. You can use a recipe that is more nutritious than that of dips you find at the store. 1. Mrs. Renfros Nacho Cheese Sauce Medium Image Credit: Walmart Mrs. Renfro's Nacho Cheese Sauce is often added to Southwestern dishes. This sauce has a rich, cheesy flavor with medium spiciness. It is gluten-free and contains 0g trans-fat. Ingredients: Water Dried Cheese Mix (Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate. Inactive Dry Yeast, Cheese Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Enzyme-Modified Soy Lecithin, Annatto & Paprika Extracts as Color, Gum Arabic, Spices) Tomato Onion Tomato Juice Green Chile Peppers Cheese Flavor (Cheese Flavor, Mozzarella Cheese [Part Skim Low-Fat Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes]) Sweet Red Peppers Sweet Green Peppers Canola Oil Palm Oil Coconut Oil Jalapeno Peppers Gluconic Acid Natural Flavor Tomato Puree Dried Garlic Acetic Acid Nutrition Information (for serving size of 2 Tbsp, 33g): Calories: 30kcal Total Fat: 2.5g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 240g Total Carbohydrate: 3g Dietary Fiber: 0g Total Sugars: 1g Protein: 0g 2. Siete, Cashew Queso Dairy Free Mild Nacho Image Credit: Siete Siete’s Cashew Queso Dairy Free Mild Nacho is made of trustworthy natural ingredients. This dip is grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, paleo, and vegan-friendly. Siete’s Cashew Queso Dairy Free Mild Nacho is certified gluten-free, preservative free, and Non-GMO Project verified. Ingredients: Water Cashews Tomatoes Carrots Green Bell Peppers Nutritional Yeast Sea Salt Distilled White Vinegar Flax Seed Fermented Extract (Oregano, Flax Seed, Plum) Coconut Milk Powder Lactic Acid Onion Powder Tomato Powder Garlic Powder Nutrition Information (for serving size of 2 Tbsp, 30g): Calories: 35kcal Total Fat: 2.5g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 220g Total Carbohydrate: 2g Dietary Fiber: 1g Total Sugars: 0g Protein: 1g 3. Wegmans, Queso Dip Image Credit: Instacart Wegmans Queso Dip is a creamy cheese dip with a hint of spice. This dip can be enjoyed with fresh tortilla chips. Ingredients: Cheese (Pasteurized Cow's Milk, Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes) Milk Water Whey Contains 2% or less of each: Jalapeno Peppers Sodium Phosphate Whey Protein Concentrate Salt Milkfat Vinegar Carrageenan Cellulose Gum Dehydrated Jalapeno Pepper Nisin Preparation Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper Xanthan Gum Natural Flavor Nutrition Information (for serving size of 2 Tbsp, 32g): Calories: 60kcal Total Fat: 4.5g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 15mg Sodium: 320g Total Carbohydrate: 2g Dietary Fiber: 0g Total Sugars: 2g Protein: 3g 4. Good Foods, Plant Based Queso Style Dip Image Credit: Good Foods Good Foods Plant Based Queso Style Dip is a dairy-free queso made with almonds and cauliflower. This almond-veggie dip has a cheesy flavor profile. It can be eaten with a variety of foods, such as with nachos, pasta, pretzels or veggies. Good Foods Plant Based Queso Style Dip is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly. It has no artificial ingredients, no added sugar, and no preservatives. Ingredients: Cauliflower Red Bell Peppers Almonds Water Almond Butter Apple Cider Vinegar Red Onions Lemon Juice Garlic Sea Salt Nutritional Yeast Chia Protein Ground Cumin Ground Turmeric Cayenne Pepper Nutrition Information (for serving size of 2 Tbsp, 30g): Calories: 45kcal Total Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 190g Total Carbohydrate: 3g Dietary Fiber: 1g Total Sugars: 1g Protein: 2g 5. On The Border, Salsa Con Queso Image Credit: Walmart On the Border Salsa Con Queso is a thick and creamy medium-heat queso. It is blend of real cheese, peppers, and tomatoes. This dip is often paired with tortilla chips. On The Border Salsa Con Queso is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. It contains no added sugar or artificial flavors. Ingredients: Water Monterey Jack Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes) Soybean Oil Maltodextrin Jalapeño Peppers Modified Corn Starch Red Bell Peppers Whey Protein Concentrate Contains Less than 2% of: Green Chiles Salt Diced Tomatoes in Juice Sodium Phosphate Natural Flavor DATEM Sodium Citrate Lactic Acid Vinegar Sodium Alginate Sorbic Acid (Preservative) Xanthan Gum Dried Red and/or Green Bell Peppers Spices Dried Onion Dried Garlic Artificial Color (Yellow 5 and Yellow 6) Tomato Powder Nutrition Information (for serving size of 2 Tbsp, 34g): Calories: 45kcal Total Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 270g Total Carbohydrate: 3g Dietary Fiber: 0g Total Sugars: 0g Protein: 1g Healthier Alternatives to Cheese Dip Guacamole Guacamole is a dip made of avocados, lime, and other fresh ingredients. The health benefits of guacamole primarily come from the avocado. Avocados are a good source of healthy fats, monounsaturated fatty acids, which help improve brain function and health. It can help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Guacamole dates back to the 1500s and is often associated with Mexican food. It can be eaten in various ways, such as with chips or as a topping on tacos. Good Foods, Chunky Guacamole Good Foods Chunky Guacamole is made by a simple blend. It is a chunky and flavorful guacamole. There are no artificial ingredients or added sugars in it. This dip can be eaten as a dip with chips, topped on tacos, or added to chili. It is dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. Ingredients: Hass Avocados Tomatoes (tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Salt) Onions Red Onions Cilantro Lime Juice Sea Salt Jalapeno Peppers Garlic Nutrition Information (per 2 Tbsp, 33g) Calories: 40kcal Total Fat: 3.5g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 150g Total Carbohydrate: 3g Dietary Fiber: 2g Total Sugars: 0g Protein: 1g Hummus Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern dip and spread that is packed with nutrients. These nutrients are linked to helping fight inflammation, improving blood sugar control, improving digestive health, and lowering heart disease risk. Hummus is made by the blending of chickpeas, tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Moreover, it is naturally free of common food allergens and irritants, such as gluten, nuts, and dairy. Sabra, Classic Hummus Sabra Classic Hummus is made from a simple and flavorful blend. It is vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free. Most of their hummus flavors are non-GMO. Ingredients: Cooked Chickpeas Water Tahini (Ground Sesame) Non-GMO Soybean Oil Garlic Salt Non-GMO Citric Acid Potassium Sorbate Added to Maintain Freshness Nutrition Information (per 2 Tbsp, 28g): Calories: 70kcal Total Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 130g Total Carbohydrate: 4g Dietary Fiber: 1g Total Sugars: 0g Protein: 2g Salsa Salsa usually refers to a condiment made with tomatoes, onions, chiles, etc. It encompasses a wide variety of forms. By nature, salsa is healthy. It is low in calories, contains little to no fat, and is high in flavor. Since it is made with vegetables, many of its ingredients are packed with vitamins and minerals. For example, tomatoes, chiles, and cilantro contain vitamins A and C. On the Border, Original Medium Salsa On the Border Original Medium Salsa has a savory kick with a mild amount of heat. It is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. This salsa is free of added sugar, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. Ingredients: Tomatoes Onions Water Tomato Paste Jalapeno Peppers Sugar Salt Dehydrated Garlic Spices Natural Flavor Nutrition Information (per 2 Tbsp, 30g): Calories: 10kcal Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 150g Total Carbohydrate: 2g Dietary Fiber: 0g Total Sugars: 1g Protein: 0g Final Thoughts While most cheese dips are gluten-free, some might have gluten-containing ingredients. It is critical to read the cheese dip product’s nutrition label and examine its ingredients. There are several healthier alternatives to cheese dip, such as salsa, hummus, and guacamole. These alternatives are also gluten-free. Related Questions Is cheese dip keto-friendly? A good amount of cheese dips is not keto-friendly. Many are high in carbs, so make sure to read the nutrition facts to be sure. How should cheese dip be stored after it is opened? Whether the cheese dip is in a bowl, a jar, or a container, make sure it is closed and sealed. The dip can then be refrigerated for around 5 days. Related Guides Are Tostitos Gluten Free? Whole Foods Salsa Brands Are Refried Beans Gluten Free?