Cheeses that experts say are best and worst for heart health this holiday season

Michigan dad shares his secret to perfect homemade Cheese Dudes in hilarious viral video Jason and Kate McClearen, a Michigan-based content creator team known as "The Everyday Chef and Wife," let the camera roll in the kitchen as Kate's dad takes viewers through his hilarious process for making Cheese Dudes from scratch. Cheese has long been blamed for raising cholesterol - but cardiologists and dietitians say it's not that simple, and holiday cheese boards don't have to be completely off-limits. While some cheeses are higher in saturated fat and easier to overeat, they act differently from butter or processed meats in the body, according to experts. Large studies show cheese may not even raise heart disease risk. "Traditionally, hard and aged cheeses such as cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyère and processed cheeses have been labeled the 'worst' because they are higher in saturated fat and sodium," said Dr. Sam Setareh, director of cardiology and cardiovascular performance at Beverly Hills Cardiovascular and Longevity and an attending cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. DAIRY IS MAKING A COMEBACK AS A HEALTHY 'SUPERFOOD' THAT AMERICANS JUST CAN'T QUIT "On paper, saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol." The American Heart Association recommends keeping saturated fat to less than 6% of your total daily calories. Nutrition experts say pairing cheese with fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help balance a meal. (iStock) Research, however, suggests cheese affects cholesterol differently from isolated sources of saturated fat such as butter, Setareh noted. Studies show that cheese raises LDL - the "bad" type of cholesterol - much less and may even be linked to lower heart disease risk in large population studies, he told Fox News Digital. "The food itself matters, not just the fat grams." "Not all cheeses are created equal." Researchers believe this may be due to cheese's unique "food matrix," which combines calcium, protein and fermentation byproducts in a way that may reduce cholesterol absorption. PROTEIN-PACKED CHEESE TREND HAS FITNESS FANS DITCHING BARS, BUT EXPERTS SAY IT'S BEST TO GO EASY Fermented cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Parmesan, Provolone, Gruyère, feta and blue cheese also contain beneficial compounds like probiotics, vitamin K2 and other bioactive components, which may help explain why cheese tends to be linked to better heart outcomes than butter or processed fats in studies. Despite the science, dietitians say some cheeses - particularly those that are soft or creamy, mild-tasting or highly processed, like spreads, sprays and single-serve products - are still easier to overeat, especially during the holidays. Cardiologists say cheese doesn't affect cholesterol the same way butter or processed meats do. (iStock) "Not all cheeses are created equal," said Kari Hamrick, a women's health dietitian based in Washington. Varieties higher in saturated fat can negatively affect cholesterol when eaten in excess, she told Fox News Digital. "Brie, cheddar and American cheese are among the worst offenders," Hamrick said. "Practice portion control by using cheese as an accent, not the main event." Being high in calories and low in moisture concentrates the fat in...

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