The cheeses, fresh and seasoned, are one of the foods most present in the summer on our tables. Thanks to their practicality they are the ideal solution in hot weather and you have little desire to cook. But how can you eat them without risking gaining weight? «Although they have an important caloric content, which can exceed 400 calories per 100 grams, cheeses are not a food to be avoided. But you have to eat them in moderation. They must first be consumed no more than twice a week in the right quantity which does not exceed on average 50 grams for seasoned ones and 80-100 grams for fresh ones ", explains the nutritionist Valentina Schirò, specializing in food science. It is then necessary to combine them correctly at the table. The classic mix of mozzarella (or ricotta, robiola, crescenza etc.) and tomato, for example, should be avoided by those suffering from digestive difficulties. "The lactose present in fresh cheeses associated with acidic foods promotes gastric fermentation and abdominal swelling," says the expert. Another mistake to stay away from is eating cheeses, fresh or seasoned, at the conclusion of lunch and dinner. "It risks exaggerating with fats, cholesterol and calories, which weigh on health and on the line". Even the classic pairing with salami or other protein sources (eggs, meat, fish) should be avoided. "The excess of proteins, in addition to slowing down digestion, produces a surplus of waste substances that risk fatiguing the work of the kidneys and slowing down the elimination of excess fluids and toxins, responsible for water retention and swelling". In order not to risk gaining weight, be careful also to consume them often together with jam, honey and particularly sweet fruits such as figs, grapes, pears and dried dates. "The risk is to fill up on simple sugars that are assimilated very quickly by the body and cause a peak in production of insulin, a hormone that stimulates hunger and over time promotes weight gain", explains the expert , which here suggests how to pair the cheeses on the table so as not to risk gaining weight.

For breakfast with toast and extra virgin olive oil

For those who love savory breakfast, fresh and aged cheeses can be a good source of protein to start the day as an alternative to milk or yogurt. They have a good satiating effect. "A small square of seasoned cheese, for example combined with complex carbohydrates and the fibers of toasted whole wheat bread and the good fats of extra virgin olive oil, gives energy constantly without spikes in blood sugar, without weighing too much on the line and on health", says nutritionist Valentina Schirò.

For lunch with rocket and onion

"Vegetable and vegetable fibers slow down the absorption of fats and sugars present in cheese. They act positively on cholesterol, of which they are particularly rich, promoting the increase in the levels of "good" HDL ", says nutritionist Valentina Schirò. "In addition, plants provide useful nutrients to reduce absorption and eliminate waste substances released during meal digestion. To enhance their benefits, just add an onion, raw or cooked, to the vegetable dish, which has an excellent diuretic action. "

Snack with walnuts

A square of seasoned cheese combined with 2 or 3 kernels of walnuts is the ideal snack to recharge your energy and counteract tiredness in particularly intense periods. "The carbohydrates and proteins of the cheese, associated with the good Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats from walnuts, slow down the digestion of sugars and keep insulin secretion under control, giving satiety. Cheese is also a good source of B complex vitamins. In particular, it provides vitamin B12, useful for the proper functioning of energy metabolism. The magnesium present in abundance in walnuts, on the other hand, helps to counteract the action of sodium with which cheeses are particularly rich, in particular seasoned cheeses, facilitating the correct blood circulation ".

Dinner with lettuce and avocado

Seasoned cheeses should be avoided at dinner especially if you have difficulty falling asleep. "They contain tyramine, a substance that promotes insomnia, which over time facilitates weight gain. They are also particularly rich in sodium which stimulates thirst and promotes awakening during the night . To counterbalance the "exciting" effect and facilitate rest if you cannot avoid it in the evening, the ideal "is to prefer fresh ones with a lower fat content that give satiety without weighing it down excessively". The combination to try? Ricotta with avocado and lettuce. It facilitates rest and helps to keep away from the accumulation of extra pounds. "The tyrosine and tryptophan of which it is rich, combined with the essential fatty acids of avocado, stimulate the production of sleep hormones including melatonin. Lactucin and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, present in lettuce, relax and promote rest, "concludes nutritionist Valentina Schirò.