Cheese and Crackers - A Nutritious Snack

Cheese and crackers have long been a favorite snack, but did you know it is also one of the more nutritious snacks? Unlike other processed snacks such as candy and chips, cheese contains protein, vitamins and important minerals like calcium. Crackers can be nutritious as well, if you choose the right ones.

When choosing a cracker for your cheese and crackers, try to find one that has no hydrogenated fats. You may need to look in the health food section or buy from an online gourmet foods store. Select crackers that are made with whole wheat like whole wheat Triscuts which will be more nutritious due to the whole wheat. Pay attention to the sodium and fat content and select accordingly.

Different cheeses have different nutritional values but in general cheese, although high in fat, is pretty nutritious. Since most people use cheddar for their cheese and crackers, I will list the nutritional value of cheddar as an example. Please keep in mind that other types of cheese will have differing amount of each element.

A 100g serving of cheddar cheese contains approx 420 calories, 25g protein, .1g carbs, 34g fat, 740mg calcium, 335ug vitamin A, .4mg B2, 1.2ug B12, 2.3 mg Zinc, 6.1mg Niacin, .3 ug Vitamin D. Compare that to a twinkie and you'll quickly see which is better for you!