[sunsetsunrise]

I think I am going to have to throw away my cheese. I was doing fine having it just twice a week. Very diciplined. Until i began not being able to fall asleep until about 6 in the morning. It seems that at 5:30 in the morning I am cooking cheese. Today it was in an open face omelette. A lot of seriously sharp cheddar ( thats the actual name of it) and very flavorful romano. All gooey on top. I may have to throw out the cheese. And then figure out how I will be able to change my sleep patterns.

Compulsive eating disorder is so difficult to navagate. for me its like having a kid that is me. And that kid wants all kinds of foods. And lots of it. And I have to manage to not give in to it. Its hard.

[Travelinglady]

Is it possible to get a lower fat cheese? Cheddar is my favorite, but it does have a lot of fat in it. I think I've seen a low fat cheddar before--or if not, some of the other cheeses aren't as fattening.

Maybe I shouldn't think this way, but I'm someone who ate almost a whole box of donuts in a few hours recently.

[spondiferous]

Originally Posted by sunsetsunrise

Compulsive eating disorder is so difficult to navagate. for me its like having a kid that is me. And that kid wants all kinds of foods. And lots of it. And I have to manage to not give in to it. Its hard.

I hear you, and my heart goes out to you, sunsun. Cheese is on my list as well of things I have to avoid. For me it's not about the fat content; it's about the flavor and texture. I think that's why compulsive eating is so difficult to recover from; physically, there are so many things to take into consideration. Food becomes (or has become) like an addiction and it can be very difficult to break the cycle, and even a taste of an ingredient in something can set me off for months or even years of an uncontrollable cycle.

If ridding your diet of cheese will help you maintain health and sanity, then I support you. I know it will be difficult, but you have my support.

[unaluna]

There's stuff in cheese that makes you crazy. One is the salt, two is the fat, but then there's also the - it starts with c, or ch - or something to do with the rennet? It's what makes it so irresistible. Like high fructose corn syrup. Humans are powerless against it. What was the question??

[neeshi]

Where's my will power when it comes to that lovely white cheddar from Vermont? I also adore feta and blue cheese.

One way to get an idea of how much fat is in cheese (this works best with cheddar) is to put it in a frying pan on medium low heat, and watch how much fat gets melted out of it. You are left with a crunchy good piece of cheese with all the oil from it sitting in the pan -- after you tilt the pan somewhat. Later when the oil solidifies a bit, you can really see how much of that small piece of cheese was pure fat.

This strategy works temporarily for me. I will lay off the cheese for awhile after the obvious visual proof!

[sunsetsunrise]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

Is it possible to get a lower fat cheese? Cheddar is my favorite, but it does have a lot of fat in it. I think I've seen a low fat cheddar before--or if not, some of the other cheeses aren't as fattening.

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

Maybe I shouldn't think this way, but I'm someone who ate almost a whole box of donuts in a few hours recently.

I tried the lower fat cheese. It is not strong tasting enough for me. AND it doesnt melt as well. But great idea ! I would eat a whole box of donuts if they were in front of me. My first thought was to ask you what kind of donuts, lol. Guess that question would not be helpful. Suffice to say, I do understand.

Originally Posted by spondiferous

I hear you, and my heart goes out to you, sunsun. Cheese is on my list as well of things I have to avoid. For me it's not about the fat content; it's about the flavor and texture. I think that's why compulsive eating is so difficult to recover from; physically, there are so many things to take into consideration. Food becomes (or has become) like an addiction and it can be very difficult to break the cycle, and even a taste of an ingredient in something can set me off for months or even years of an uncontrollable cycle.

Originally Posted by spondiferous

If ridding your diet of cheese will help you maintain health and sanity, then I support you. I know it will be difficult, but you have my support.

Thanks, Spondiferous. cheese was on my forbidden list for a long time. And I could be okay with having it 2 times a week IF I could find a way to not have it in my home otherwise. I will figure it out. There is great romano at the co-op I can scoop out myself. Its bulk. But it doesnt melt well. I so know what you mean about the abstainance, as you know. I am not positive that cheese is heart healthy anyway, lol.

Originally Posted by hankster

There's stuff in cheese that makes you crazy. One is the salt, two is the fat, but then there's also the - it starts with c, or ch - or something to do with the rennet? It's what makes it so irresistible. Like high fructose corn syrup. Humans are powerless against it. What was the question??

I do not use high fructose corn syrup. I make sesame brittle sometimes for people. Not for myself. I found a non high fructose corn syrup. It is very expensive. But it allows me to give it with a clear conscience. I think maybe the product in chees you are talking about is casein? I know that is in cheese. Although I know nothing about it other than it is not okay for vegans to eat in fake cheese.

Originally Posted by neelamishi

Where's my will power when it comes to that lovely white cheddar from Vermont? I also adore feta and blue cheese

Originally Posted by neelamishi

One way to get an idea of how much fat is in cheese (this works best with cheddar) is to put it in a frying pan on medium low heat, and watch how much fat gets melted out of it. You are left with a crunchy good piece of cheese with all the oil from it sitting in the pan -- after you tilt the pan somewhat. Later when the oil solidifies a bit, you can really see how much of that small piece of cheese was pure fat.

This strategy works temporarily for me. I will lay off the cheese for awhile after the obvious visual proof!

Are we related, lol? I use seriously sharp cheddar cheese from, well, Vermont ! The lower fat cheese from the same company is not strong enough and also doesnt melt well.

At night I was getting out of bed and putting grated cheese in the pan. Then heating it until it gets crispy. Then I would blot it in paper towel and enjoy the crunch. Oh my oh my. sighs.

[neeshi]

Originally Posted by sunsetsunrise

Are we related, lol? I use seriously sharp cheddar cheese from, well, Vermont ! The lower fat cheese from the same company is not strong enough and also doesnt melt well.

At night I was getting out of bed and putting grated cheese in the pan. Then heating it until it gets crispy. Then I would blot it in paper towel and enjoy the crunch. Oh my oh my. sighs.

Yes, it's that Cabot brand cheese from Vermont is tooo good. At least when you put it in the pan and melt the fat out of it, you know it has to be less calories!!

I never thought about putting it in the pan grated. That would speed up the process, I think!

My weakness is mainly for this brand of cheese (in addition to blue cheese and feta). I say to myself: How can I be vegan when cheese this good exists in the world?

Of course, I'm joking!

[unaluna]

Yeah casein was it. I read that that was the addictive ingredient. Thanks, that word was gonna drive me nuts if I didn't find it.

[H3rmit]

Flavourful cheese alternative for melting: dry cottage cheese with sprinkles of grated asiago and/or parmesan on top.

[sunsetsunrise]

Originally Posted by neelamishi

Yes, it's that Cabot brand cheese from Vermont is tooo good. At least when you put it in the pan and melt the fat out of it, you know it has to be less calories!! I never thought about putting it in the pan grated. That would speed up the process, I think! My weakness is mainly for this brand of cheese (in addition to blue cheese and feta). I say to myself: How can I be vegan when cheese this good exists in the world? Of course, I'm joking!

yes, Cabot cheese !! I press my cheese between pieces of paper towel after rendering the fat. It removes more fat. I add Grated Romano cheese to the seriously sharp cheddar cheese. The romano cheese I use comes in bulk from my local co-op. I scoop out as much as I want to buy. For what I like, its the best i have found. Even though I am sure there is better quality. I scoop what I want.

I also eat fat free president feta cheese. The flavor is all there. Just no fat. It has 35 calories per ounce. Feta is not a melting cheese anyway.

Vegan is great. But for now I am a dairy queen I do wish I could be vegan. I think its a great way to walk on this earth. Perhaps someday

Originally Posted by hankster

Yeah casein was it. I read that that was the addictive ingredient. Thanks, that word was gonna drive me nuts if I didn't find it.

A vegan friend told me the word. Because some "non dairy" cheeses have casein in them. She said those cheeses are not vegan because casien is animal derivative. I did not know though that it was one of those foods that causes people to want more

Originally Posted by H3rmit

Flavourful cheese alternative for melting: dry cottage cheese with sprinkles of grated asiago and/or parmesan on top.

That sounds good to me especially if the cottage cheese were mxed with some onion powder. I use that product a lot. I buy it in the co-op bulk section.
I am very pleased to announce that I was cheese free this weekend. I parked my cheese at my friend's house and never called or went there to make a withdrawal. It felt really good to do that. I must admit that I do not miss all that grease on top of my unfolded omelette where the cheese was broiled on top. In the future i think I would do it differently.

[Melmo]

I am addicted to Daiya cheese, which is vegan. Mmmm no Casein but still addictive! Love quesadilllas with lots of daiya and salsa!

[sunsetsunrise]

Originally Posted by JustWantToBeNormal

I am addicted to Daiya cheese, which is vegan. Mmmm no Casein but still addictive! Love quesadilllas with lots of daiya and salsa!

Thanks for the hot tip. I am going to read up on that vegan cheese. Possibly a new addiction lol

[livefast3315]

I had to stop buying cheese all together it is my total weakness. Brie cheese is my favourite.

[sunsetsunrise]

Originally Posted by livefast3315

I had to stop buying cheese all together it is my total weakness. Brie cheese is my favourite.

On sunday I rendered the fat from some cheese and then drained off the fat. Cant do that with Brie. It doesnt work. I hear ya re cheese though. I cannot be trusted to have it in the house