Is Cream Cheese Bad For You?
Short answer
Cream cheese is still incredibly high in fat and cholesterol (regular varieties) and filled to the brim with additives (fat-free varieties). It is best enjoyed every once in a blue moon or avoided altogether.
Recommended Alternative
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Cream cheese is a spread commonly used on various types of bread. While it isn't particularly good for your health, it is rich in vitamin A (59% of the daily recommended value) and calcium (23% of the daily recommended value). How cream cheese can affect your health depends on the type you buy. While there are several flavors, we will look at basic cream cheese flavor that comes in three types: regular, reduced-fat, and fat-free.
Regular cream cheese has about 100 calories per two tablespoons, with 9 grams of fat - 6 grams of those being saturated fat. It is also high in cholesterol, accounting for 85% of the daily recommended value.
Reduced fat has, of course, less fat than regular - but contains preservatives not found in regular cream cheese, such as guar gum and sorbic acid. While these two ingredients are probably safe, studies suggest that long-term exposure to sorbic acid can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Also, guar gum may lower blood pressure and can be dangerous for people with hypoglycemia. In addition, guar gum should not be consumed at least two weeks prior to surgery.
Even more so than reduced fat, fat-free cream cheese seems miles away from regular. If you were to compare the ingredients between regular cream cheese and fat-free cream cheese, you may think you are looking at two very different products. In fact, you wouldn't be far from the truth in thinking so. Unlike either the regular or reduced fat versions, fat-free cream cheese has protein-concentrated skim milk (which contains less than 2% tripolyphosphate sugar), artificial color, artificial flavor, carrageenan, potassium sorbate, calcium propionate, and sodium phosphate - each of which pose their own long list of potential side effects. Potassium sorbate, for example, may cause diarrhea and nausea when taken in large amounts. Artificial flavors have been shown to increase hyperactivity in children and even damage the central nervous system.
When it comes to eating cream cheese, it's basically a choice between loading your body with cholesterol and saturated fats - or taking in a dose of additives and synthetic chemicals. Neither should be considered a part of anyone's diet.
Possible short-term side effects
- skin irritation
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nausea
-
diarrhea
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
-
renal failure
-
heart disease
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- good source of vitamin a
-
good source of calcium
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Vegan Valley Cashew Sauce
- Tangy nacho flavor
- Shelf-stable convenience
- Certified Gluten-Free
- Kosher & Dairy-Free
- Non-GMO ingredients
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-03-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-03-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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