How Much Cheese Should You Eat a Day? A Nutrition Expert Weighs In on Dairy Cheese, oh glorious cheese! That creamy, sharp, tangy delight is a staple in many cuisines and a source of comfort for countless individuals.

But how much is too much? The question of daily cheese intake isn't a simple "one-size-fits-all" answer.

A registered dietitian, let's call her Sarah, offers some expert insights.

"There's no magic number when it comes to cheese consumption," Sarah explains.

"It depends heavily on several factors including your overall diet, your individual health needs, and your activity level.

" The Benefits of Cheese (in Moderation): Cheese provides a good source of several key nutrients: Calcium: Crucial for bone health, particularly important for women and older adults.

Protein: Essential for building and repairing tissues.

Vitamin D: Often fortified in cheese, contributing to bone health and immune function.

Vitamin B12: Important for nerve function and red blood cell formation.

The Potential Downsides: However, excessive cheese consumption can present some challenges: Saturated Fat: Many cheeses are high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Sodium: Cheese often contains a significant amount of sodium, contributing to high blood pressure in some individuals.

Calories: Cheese is calorie-dense, meaning a small amount can contribute significantly to your daily calorie intake.

This can lead to weight gain if not balanced with overall dietary choices.

Lactose Intolerance: For individuals with lactose intolerance, consuming too much cheese can lead to digestive discomfort.

Sarah's Recommendations: Sarah suggests a balanced approach: "A reasonable serving of cheese is typically considered to be around 1 to 1.

5 ounces (roughly the size of a deck of cards).

This amount provides a good dose of nutrients without overloading you on saturated fat or sodium.

However, this is a guideline, not a strict rule.

" She emphasizes the importance of considering the type of cheese: Hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan generally have lower moisture content and higher calcium to calorie ratios than softer cheeses like brie or cream cheese.

"Focus on incorporating a variety of dairy products into your diet," Sarah advises.

"Yogurt, milk, and cheese offer a range of nutrients.

Don't rely solely on cheese to meet your dairy needs.

A balanced approach is key.

" Individual Considerations: Sarah highlights that individuals with pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol should consult their doctor or a registered dietitian before significantly increasing their cheese intake.

They may need to limit their consumption to smaller portions or choose lower-fat varieties.

Ultimately, the "right" amount of cheese depends on your individual circumstances.

Enjoy cheese as part of a balanced, healthy diet, but mindful consumption is crucial.

Listen to your body, pay attention to how you feel, and don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Milk does a body good, right? Well, a growing number of researchers and doctors are challenging that idea, saying we may not need dairy at all, according to a new report from the .

In terms of relying on dairy for certain nutrients, it's true that it's not needed, said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and professor of medicine and nutrition at Tufts Medical School.

"We probably don't need all the calcium and vitamin D from dairy," he told TheNews. "There's other sources you can have, that have supplemented calcium or vitamin D that's led to a moderation around recommending dairy specifically."

Plus, like any food, you could omit any single item from your eating and "still craft a healthy diet, so you don't need to eat dairy," he said. 

But there's reason to not empty your cheese drawer just yet. 

Dietary guidance of dairy, which promotes eating  focused on low fat options, has been "based on oversimplified theories around a few nutrients we need," Mozaffarian said, namely calcium and vitamin D. "But that kind of theory is being replaced now with real research around the health of dairy."

Mozaffarian said some examples of dairy benefits include:

"Those benefits seem to be really unrelated to the traditional fat or calcium or vitamin D content, but related to other things, for example, fermentation of cheese or in yogurt," he said. "Probiotics in yogurt are good for our and probably reduce risk of diabetes. And cheese is actually the top fermented consumed in the United States, and we're learning about health benefits of like kimchi or sauerkraut."

So how much dairy should you eat? 

Mozaffarian says he recommends patients have one serving of unsweetened yogurt and cheese every day if they eat dairy.

"It's more for cardio-metabolic benefits than for calcium and vitamin D," he said, adding whether it's low fat or whole fat doesn't seem to influence the health benefits. "For years, we've recommended nonfat or skim dairy, which doesn't taste very good. And I tell people, until we have more evidence, right now, choose low fat or whole fat, which whichever you prefer."