[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
Emmental is the best-known Swiss cheese. It is immediately identifiable thanks to the presence of the characteristic holes in the dough. It takes its name from the Emme valley, in the canton of Bern, the area of origin of this cheese which is today produced not only in other regions of Switzerland but also in other countries. Emmental, in fact, is not only Swiss; but can also be French, Bavarian, Italian or Finnish.
Before reading on
I’m not an expert in this field, but I am passionate about nutrition and health.
The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
Emmental calories: 383 kcal per 100 g of cheese
100 g of Emmental contains approximately 383 kcal. Compared to other foods, that’s a lot. This cheese has a high caloric value.
Emmental: Lipid, protein and carbohydrate content
The fat content of 100 g of Emmental is approximately 30 g. It is therefore a food rich in fat. This cheese unfortunately contains a lot of saturated fat. With a protein content of 29 g, it is a high protein food. Emmental is also a low-carb food, as the proportion of energy from carbohydrates is around 0%. The fiber content of Emmental is low. It is therefore a food low in fiber.
Table of nutritional values of Emmental
| Nutrients | Emmental: content per 100 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| -with sugar | 0g |
| -of which starch | 0g |
| -including dietary fiber | 0g |
| Proteins | 29.94g |
| Lipids | 29.94g |
| -including cholesterol | 120 mg |
| -of which saturates | 18.7g |
| Potassium | 88.6 mg |
| Sodium | 240g |
| Water | 37.6g |
| Alcohol | 0g |
How much does Emmental weigh on average?
Swiss Emmental cheese weighs 300 g on average and contains nearly 1150 kcal.
What are the vitamin contributions of Emmental?
Emmental cheese is a product with high nutritional value because it is a source of many valuable vitamins and minerals for the body. This cheese contains fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A and D. Vitamin A promotes good vision, preserves the good appearance of the skin and has an anti-cancer effect. Vitamin D, for its part, contributes with calcium to the maintenance of good bone health. It also participates in immune processes.
What are the mineral contributions of Emmental?
Above all, Emmental contains a high dose of calcium, necessary for the proper functioning of the skeletal system in adults and for bone growth in children. Therefore, cheese is a very good alternative for children who don’t like milk.
There is also a high dose of zinc in Emmental. This mineral improves the appearance of hair, skin and nails. This cheese also provides our body with other elements, including potassium and phosphorus. The positive properties of this cheese also include its antidepressant effect.
Does Emmental contain food additives?
Due to the production technology, it contains significant amounts of salt, which should be avoided in our daily diet.
Does Emmental make you gain weight?
Many dieters wonder if they can eat cheese? Unfortunately, cheese is a high-calorie product. Can you eat cheese while dieting and losing weight? The most important thing is moderation. A sandwich with a slice of Emmental will not disrupt your diet because, as already mentioned, cheese is a product with high nutritional value.
However, you should avoid all kinds of casseroles or other dishes in which the emmental content is often too high (high calorific value). A seemingly healthy vegetable casserole can turn out to be a calorie bomb. If you want to lose weight, you should avoid large quantities of Emmental. However, you can eat it in small doses.
If you want to lose weight, now is not the time to overindulge in Emmental cheese. Of course, a good quality slice of Emmental can be part of a healthy menu, but we must not forget that the high calorific value of this cheese requires careful selection of the accompanying additives.
When counting calories, you need to plan your diet very carefully. It is therefore better to eat Emmental cheese from time to time and to eat it unprocessed. On a diet, we cannot let ourselves be tempted by cheese toasts, pizzas or casseroles, but if we occasionally eat wholemeal bread for breakfast with a slice of Emmental cheese and fresh vegetables, this does not certainly won’t hurt us.
Cholesterol, blood pressure and consumption of Emmental
Another problem with the negative effects of cheese on the body is increased cholesterol. Emmental is a product of animal origin. It is therefore a source of saturated fatty acids, the excess of which leads to an increase in the level of what is called bad cholesterol in the blood. This situation leads to the development of atherosclerosis or other heart diseases.
As with weight loss, small amounts of cheese from time to time should not harm you in any way, especially if you do not consume other products containing animal fats. On the other hand, eating large doses of cheese at the same time as consuming butter, fatty meat, milk and fatty dairy products presents a risk of increasing the LDL cholesterol fraction.
Additionally, cheese also provides significant amounts of salt (sodium), which can further increase blood pressure and harm the heart. Thus, there is an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.