Obesity is a nuisance that poses a threat to health all over the world. It is not easy to combat this growing issue, and every bit of determination is required for it. One of the ways to ensure that obesity is not something that you need to worry about is by being cautious of your diet.
There is no denying that cream cheese is rather delicious and adds a flare of taste to your food. However, it is enriched with fats and can clog up the arteries, thereby resulting in some serious cardiovascular complications. It also leads to an increase in weight.
Therefore, to maintain optimal health, you need to make use of substitutes for cream cheese in your food.
Substitutions for Cream Cheese
Let us now provide you with a list of items that you can use as an alternative to cream cheese so that your health would not be compromised.
1. Petit-Suisse
This is another impressive option that you have. A cup of cream cheese can be replaced by a single 1 oz. pack of Petit-Suisse and honey. It is manufactured from cow’s milk and has a smooth, creamy texture to it. This unsalted cheese is found to be rather suitable for desserts.
While lower than that present in cream cheese, this option still has a high level of fat, which is why you will need to be careful while using it.
2. Kefir and Organic Chia Seeds
You will find this one to be a perfect alternative to cream cheese. You can replace a bowl of cream cheese with around 1/4 cup of chia seeds mixed in a bowl of kefir.
Before making use of it, ensure that the seeds are mixed well in kefir. Leave the mixture for a while to give the seeds time to absorb the water from kefir, which should take around half an hour.
This option has quite a few health benefits. It leads to a reduction in allergic reactions, GI problems, candidiasis, and atherosclerosis. However, this is not something that you should use in dishes that will need to be heated.
3. Neufchatel
Being French in origin, this soft cheese is made from cow’s milk. It has quite a sharp and pungent taste as it ages. However, when young, this unripened cheese is rather delicious. You will find the taste and texture to be at par with low-fat cream cheese, thereby making it one of the perfect substitutes.
All that you will need to do is use the same quantity of Neufchatel in your food as cream cheese and no compromise on taste will be made.
4. Greek Yogurt
If it is the texture of cream cheese that appeals to you, this is an option that you will find rather appealing.
The best results would be attained by draining the yogurt before usage which can be done by placing the yogurt in dry cheesecloth and then spooning it. Leave it overnight, and it will attain a thicker consistency.
5. Hummus
While being slightly different in terms of taste, hummus is also a cream cheese substitute that would not let you down. It has quite a few health benefits and plays a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues, cancer, and stroke.
6. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a convenient alternative to cream cheese. You can replace a bowl of cream cheese with the same amount of cottage cheese that needs to be poured in a mixer and then chill it before usage.
There is no saturated fat present in cottage cheese, so you will not need to worry about your health being compromised. It is also enriched with essential vitamins and minerals.
7. Ricotta
Cream cheese can also be replaced by part-skim ricotta in various recipes. To get the perfect results, you ought to drain the ricotta and puree it until you acquire a smooth consistency. A cup of ricotta would be sufficient to serve as a substitute for the same amount of cream cheese.
8. Gervais Cheese
This is also a substitute for cream cheese that would not let you down. You can replace a cup of cream cheese with the same amount of Gervais cheese. It would not let you down in terms of taste and is also quite healthy.
9. Tofu
A cup of cream cheese can be substituted with 3/4 cup of tofu to which a tablespoon of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of margarine is added.
All that you need to do is mix the ingredients well until a smooth consistency is attained. The tofu bits will need to be pushed toward the central blade repeatedly if the perfect results are to be attained. Refrigerate it for a while to get the results that you are looking for.
