Goat cheese, also known by its French name, Chèvre, is a sweet, tart, and earthy flavored cheese. Goat cheese is available in many different textures and flavors – from crumbly to creamy, mild to tangy, and young to mature. Cheese tends to confuse many followers of the gluten-free diet. This is because there are so many different products, styles, and forms of cheese available. This can make it difficult to navigate through all the different types.
Goat cheese is naturally gluten-free, along with many other kinds of cheese. Most cheeses are indeed gluten-free. In fact, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation, the dairy group is a naturally gluten-free food group. However, flavored cheese may not be gluten-free due to additives. The best gluten free goat cheese is Montchevre Plain Goat Cheese.
Ready to learn more about this delicious, fancy cheese? Let’s dig in!
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Is Goat Cheese Healthy?
Many people believe they need to steer clear of dairy in their diets. Yet, this could not be more false! Dairy is one of the most important food groups and is a vital component of a balanced diet. Consuming dairy products provides numerous health benefits, such as building and maintaining strong bones.
Cheese is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and is a great source of protein. Some of these nutrients include calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. As for goat cheese, this particular cheese provides even more benefits than others in its class. Goat cheese contains probiotics and is easier to digest than some other cheeses. It also contains less fat, less cholesterol, and is lower in calories.
How Much Cheese Should I Be Consuming?
Cheese can most certainly be included as part of a healthy diet. The key to incorporating cheese into the diet is to make sure you are sticking to the proper portion sizes. To help control calories, sodium, or saturated fat, stick to consuming one serving of cheese: 1½ ounces for natural cheese or 2 ounces of processed cheese.
Choose cheese according to your dietary needs. Consuming too much sodium and saturated fat can increase the risk for developing serious medical conditions, like high blood pressure and heart disease. For those with high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, eat cheese in moderation. Pay special attention to the Nutrition Facts panels and choose a cheese that is right for your nutritional needs. For example, goat cheese, brie, mozzarella, and parmesan are all lower in fat than some of the others.
Nutritional Information of Naturally Gluten-Free Cheeses
Montechevre Original Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
- Cultured Pasteurized Goat’s Milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: <1g
- Protein: 5g
Ile De France Soft Ripened Brie
Ingredients:
- Cultured Pasteurized Milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutritional Information (per 1 0z.):
- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 5g
Sargento Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Microbial Enzymes
- Annato Color
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrate: <1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 6g
Athenos Feta Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Total Carbohydrate: <1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 6g
Galbani Mozzarella Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Vinegar
- Enzymes
- Salt
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 85mg
- Total Carbohydrate: <1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 5g
Bel Gioioso Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 390mg
- Total Carbohydrate: <1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 10g
Sargento Provolone Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Microbial Enzymes
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrate: <1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 6g
Cheese Products that MAY Contain Gluten
Castello Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free. But, it is possible that mold cultures of this type of cheese may be grown on wheat or rye bread, so it is important to always read the ingredients label. Generally, unless the ingredients label includes wheat, barley, rye or their derivatives, cheese should be safe.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Salt
- Cheese Cultures
- Microbial Rennet, P. Roqueforti
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 100
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 370mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 6g
Breakstone’s 4% Milkfat Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is typically gluten-free, but some brands may contain wheat starch. It is always smart to double-check the ingredients list to make sure.
Ingredients: Daisy’s Cottage Cheese, 4% Milkfat
- Cultured Skim Milk
- Cream
- Tapioca Starch
- Salt
Nutritional Information (per ½ cup):
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 13g
Kraft Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese
When shredded cheese is made, It is common for manufacturers to add starch to prevent the shreds from clumping together. This added starch may be gluten-containing. Again, checking the ingredients label will help clear up any concerns.
Ingredients:
- Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto)
- Modified Cornstarch (Added To Prevent Caking)
- Natamycin (A Natural Mold Inhibitor)
Nutritional Information (per ¼ cup):
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 6g
Dairy-Free Cheese
Since many dairy-free and vegan cheeses are made from a combination of different starchy flours, it is possible that they may contain gluten. A variety of flours that may be used include tapioca, all-purpose flour, or arrowroot. Daiya is one brand that does promise a gluten-free and vegan product.
Daiya Cheddar Flavour Slices
Ingredients:
- Filtered Water
- Potato Starch
- Coconut Oil
- Expeller Pressed: Canola And/Or Safflower Oil
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Vegan Natural Flavours
- Salt
- Pea Protein
- Xanthan Gum
- Lactic Acid (Vegan)
- Konjac Flour
- Concentrated Pepper
- Apple, And Tomato Juice (Colour)
- Annatto (Colour)
- Yeast Extract
- Vegan Enzyme.
Nutritional Information (per ¼ cup):
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 6g
Related Questions
What cheese is most similar to crumbled goat cheese?
Feta is considered one of the best substitutes for goat cheese. It has a similar firm and crumbly texture. If you plan to use goat’s cheese in a salad, you can easily substitute it with feta cheese. The main difference is that feta cheese is a bit saltier.
Can I eat Goat Cheese if I am lactose-intolerant?
Most aged cheeses, like goat cheese, are lower in lactose and can sometimes be tolerated in moderation by those with lactose intolerance. Hard cheeses, such as parmesan, contain 0 grams of lactose per 1 ounce and are, therefore, very well tolerated.
Are mozzarella sticks gluten-free?
Mozzarella sticks are not gluten-free because they are coated with breadcrumbs. If you would like to make your own gluten-free mozzarella sticks, you can coat the cheese sticks in white rice flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs!
Is cheesecake gluten-free?
Cheesecake is usually not gluten-free because the crust is made with wheat flour or graham crackers.