Question about fat-free cheese

[mgpaquin]

I just tried some fat-free, cholesterol-free and lactose-free cheese called Smart Beat and was amazed to find that it actually tasted like cheese. However, in looking at the label the third ingredient listed is corn syrup. There are 3 grams of total carbs in 1 serving. Is this okay??? I just got word that my cholesterol is high , so I hope this is OP even with the corn syrup. I'm hoping that one of the "Phase 3 pros" has the answer. Thanks, and have a great day. (I'll play the W-A-T-E-R game later, after coffee!)

Marion in Savannah

[Ruthxxx]

Hmmmmm. I wonder if the carbs are there to replace the lactose which is a milk sugar. My low fat cheese shows 1 carb per ounce which is a serving. Are you lactose intolerant? www.fitday.com doesn't show any listings for fat free cheese except for cream cheese.

[mgpaquin]

Ruthxxx, I think this is a new product. It's called "Smart Beat" and the reason I got it was becuase it was fat and cholesterol free. I'm not lactose intolerant, just too much cholesterol. The ingredients are: "casein (a lactose free milk derived protein), corn syrup, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, salt, potassium chloride, lactic acid, natural flavor, calcium phosphate, artificial flavor, sorbic acid (preservative), carrageenan, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, artificial color, vitamin A palmitate, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B12." Whew!!

With that list of ingredients, maybe they use the corn syrup to glue the stuff together!!!

I don't usually eat things that I have trouble pronouncing, but now I'm struggling with the issue of the cholesterol on top of wanting to get rid of the pounds. If anyone has any input at all I'd be very appreciative. Thanks.

Marion in Savannah

[Ruthxxx]

Is there cholesterol in the other kinds of fat-free or low fat cheeses available in your area? The corn syrup would scare me off and is probably what's putting up the carb count. I'd switch to "real" low fat cheese.

[mgpaquin]

Ruthxxx,
Thanks for your reply. I've found a "1/2 fat" cheese from Cabot here, which I'll try tomorrow. I live in Savannah, GA where it seems EVERYTHING is deep fried!

This is really a bit of a battle for me, because I was always one of those who could eat anything and stay the same. Then I hit 57 and all bets were off! I'm going to try to tackle this like a college course, and make the passing grade pounds off and cholesterol down. At least I love veggies, and that's a start. I'm looking forward to Phase 2 when I can have oatmeal (which I love) for breakfast. That's supposed to help lower cholesterol.

I'm making another trip to Publix (supermarket) this evening to scour the cheese and dairy cases.... Does anybody know if EggBeaters are edible???

Thanks again to you and the whole board for being so VERY helpful and supportive. I don't know if I could handle this on my own.