When it comes to buttering my bread or baking, I'm a huge fan of Earth Balance natural margarine. It's cholesterol free, low in saturated fat, and dairy free. I just discovered that Earth Balance makes Cream Cheese. Yes it's made with milk, so it's not some vegan alternative, but it's made with rBST-free milk and it's supposed to be a healthier version of mainstream cream cheese.

To see how the two types of cream cheeses compare read more.

Taste-wise, there isn't much difference at all. The Earth Balance tastes slightly sweet, and has a thick, creamy texture that spread exactly like regular cream cheese. Nutritionally, there's a big difference. The Earth Balance Cream Cheese has less calories, less fat, less cholesterol, and more protein. It does contain a bit more sodium and sugars, but not a significant amount. I'm definitely making the switch. I wonder how this will work in a cheesecake recipe?

Serving Size Earth Balance cream Cheese (2 tbsp / 30 g) Philadelphia Cream Cheese (2 tbsp / 30 g)
Calories 80 107
Total Fat 6 g 10.7 g
Saturated Fat 3 g 6.4 g
Cholesterol 15 mg 32 mg
Sodium 105 mg 96 mg
Carbs 2 g 1.1 g
Fiber 0 g 0 g
Sugars 2 g 1.1 g
Protein 3 g 2.1 g
Ingredients Pasteurized cultured skim milk and cream, natural oil blend (palm fruit, soybean and canola oils), whey protein, milk proteins, less than 2% of salt, natural flavor, natural plant sterols, xanthan, locust bean and guar gums. Pasteurized nonfat milk and milkfat, whey protein concentrate, cheese culture, salt, whey, stabilizers (xanthan gum and/or carob bean and/or guar gums), sorbic acid as a preservative, vitamin A palmitate.

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