Paneer vs Cheese

Paneer has been a part of the Indian cuisine for a long time. Cheese on the other hand has made its presence felt in the market only in the past decade. The varieties of cheese available are increasing with every passing year. Which is a better option? Paneer or cheese? You can take a better decision based on your requirements:
1. Paneer has lesser calories and protein content than cheese. This makes cheese better for children and people who have an active lifestyle. 
2. Paneer has less fat as compared to cheese. Therefore, paneer is more suitable for children who are slightly overweight and adults who have a family history of high cholesterol. In other words, paneer is more heart friendly. 
3. Paneer has lesser calcium than cheese. Growing children can benefit from the extra calcium from cheese.
4. Paneer has more potassium and less sodium as compared to cheese. This makes paneer the preferred option for people with high blood pressure. 
5. Paneer is easier to breakdown and digest as compared to cheese. Paneer is therefore, preferred for elders and people who have weak digestion. 
As per Ayurveda, too much cheese is kapha inducing. It means that it can cause cold, congestion and sinus issues due to its processing. So, if it is eaten in excess by a person who does not have sharp digestion, they will fall ill. It is often seen that some children always have a sinus problem or blocked nose. Cheese and overindulgence of dairy products is not good for such children. Adults who overindulge in cheese will dampen the Agni, or digestive fire. Once the digestive fire is weak, a person tends to put on weight. So, it will not be only the consumption of cheese that can have a fattening effect but the effect that it has on the digestion of every food that you eat. 
There is one thing which supersedes all the facts mentioned above – the ability of your stomach to digest new foods. If you have eaten paneer all your life, you will be able to tolerate it better than a person who has not eaten as much. The same applies to cheese. The western world uses cheese more than the Far East. As a result, they are able to tolerate it better.  One sentence to sum it up – moderation, moderation, moderation!