Like chocolate and sugar, cheese triggers a class of opiates (casomorphins) that can be highly addictive. When you consider that a thumb-sized piece of cheese packs about 15 grams of fat and 200 calories, you can see why cheese binges can really put on the pounds.
■ You don’t have to give up cheese to curtail cravings or calories, but you do have to eat less. Try dairy-free soy cheese as a substitute. It provides real cheese texture and flavor without the addictive properties.
■ Order your burgers without cheese at the fast-food counter. When getting a pizza, ask that it be made with half the usual amount of cheese.
■ When you have to have cheese, look for reduced-fat products such as low-fat mozzarella and ricotta. Better yet, substitute other foods that give the same creamy mouth feel without all the fat and calories, such as avocado or yogurt.
