Provolone vs. Muenster cheese — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on September 12, 2023

Medically reviewed by Jack Yacoubian

Summary

Provolone cheese is richer in proteins, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B5. In comparison, muenster is richer in vitamin D, and A. Muenster is lower in sodium and fats but higher in calories.

Table of contents

Introduction

What's The Actual Difference?

Nutrition

Vitamins

Minerals

Calories

Carbs

Fats

Cholesterol

Protein

Health Impact

Downsides and Risks

References

Introduction

This article compares provolone cheese and muenster cheese. Our main comparison focus will be due to some general differences, nutritional content, and health impacts.

What's The Actual Difference?

Both provolone and muenster cheeses are smooth and commonly used, including. However, they have several differences that set them apart.

Provolone is Italian cheese. Muenster can be thought of as American cheese. Provolone is an aged pasta filata cheese that originated near Vesuvius in Casilli. It is still manufactured in cone, pear, and sausage shapes ranging from 4 to 6 inches.

Provolone has a light color and a slightly grainy texture.

On the other hand, muenster is a softer cheese with a pale color, but the rind is typically orange. It's soft and moist.

Nutrition

At the bottom of this page, you can find a nutrition infographic to help you better understand the differences in the nutrition of provolone and muenster.

Vitamins

Their vitamin profiles is nearly similar however, provolone is richer in vitamin B5 whereas, muenster is richer in vitamin D and Vitamin A.

Muenster cheese falls in the range of the top 19% of foods as a Vitamin A source.

Both cheese types contain equal levels of Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Provolone

Muenster cheese

Contains more Vitamin B1 +46.2%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +51.5%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +150.5%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +30.4%

Contains more Vitamin A +15%

Contains more Vitamin E +13%

Contains more Vitamin D +20%

Contains more Folate +20%

Contains more Vitamin K +13.6%

Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.32

Equal in Vitamin B12 - 1.47

Provolone

Muenster cheese

Contains more Vitamin B1 +46.2%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +51.5%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +150.5%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +30.4%

Contains more Vitamin A +15%

Contains more Vitamin E +13%

Contains more Vitamin D +20%

Contains more Folate +20%

Contains more Vitamin K +13.6%

Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.32

Equal in Vitamin B12 - 1.47

Minerals

Provolone is richer in phosphorus, zinc, and calcium. However, provolone is higher in sodium.

Both fall in the range of the top 5% foods as calcium sources.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Provolone

Muenster cheese

Contains more Iron +26.8%

Contains more Zinc +14.9%

Contains more Manganese +25%

Contains less Sodium -28.3%

Contains more Copper +19.2%

Equal in Calcium - 717

Equal in Magnesium - 27

Equal in Phosphorus - 468

Equal in Potassium - 134

Equal in Selenium - 14.5

Provolone

Muenster cheese

Contains more Iron +26.8%

Contains more Zinc +14.9%

Contains more Manganese +25%

Contains less Sodium -28.3%

Contains more Copper +19.2%

Equal in Calcium - 717

Equal in Magnesium - 27

Equal in Phosphorus - 468

Equal in Potassium - 134

Equal in Selenium - 14.5

Calories

Both provolone and muenster are considered high-calorie foods. Provolone has 351 calories per 100 g, and muenster contains 368 calories per 100 g.

Carbs

Both have tiny amounts of carbs. Provolone has 2.14g of carbs, and Muenster contains 1.12g of carbs per 100g.

Fats

Provolone contains more fats than muenster. It has 30g of fats per 100g, while the Muenster contains 26g of carbs. Accordingly, provolone has more saturated fat.

Cholesterol

Provolone provides more cholesterol than muenster. It has 96mg, while the muenster contains 68mg of cholesterol per 100g.

Protein

Both provolone and muenster have a decent amount of protein. Provolone has 25.58g of protein, while muenster contains 23.41g of protein per 100g. Provolone falls in the range of 12% of foods as a protein source.

Health Impact

Both cheese types are rich in calcium, which may reduce insulin resistance in dairy products. One study found that eating dairy products may reduce the risk of insulin resistance by 21% (1).

Downsides and Risks

Provolone and Muenster cheeses are high in fats, specifically saturated fats, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising blood lipid levels.

Furthermore, provolone cheese contains more sodium than muenster cheese, increasing the risk of hypertension and its complications (2).

References

Author name: Elen Khachatrian

Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU

Last updated: September 12, 2023

Medically reviewed by Jack Yacoubian

Infographic

Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Provolone

Muenster cheese

Contains more Carbs +91.1%

Contains more Other +28.7%

Contains more Fats +12.8%

Equal in Protein - 23.41

Equal in Water - 41.77

Provolone

Protein: 25.58 g

Fats: 26.62 g

Carbs: 2.14 g

Water: 40.95 g

Other: 4.71 g

Muenster cheese

Protein: 23.41 g

Fats: 30.04 g

Carbs: 1.12 g

Water: 41.77 g

Other: 3.66 g

Contains more Carbs +91.1%

Contains more Other +28.7%

Contains more Fats +12.8%

Equal in Protein - 23.41

Equal in Water - 41.77

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Provolone

Muenster cheese

Contains less Saturated Fat -10.6%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +16.3%

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +17.8%

Provolone

Saturated Fat: 17.078 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 7.393 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.769 g

Muenster cheese

Saturated Fat: 19.113 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 8.711 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.661 g

Contains less Saturated Fat -10.6%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +16.3%

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +17.8%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.


Lower in Sugar
Lower in Cholesterol
Lower in Saturated Fat
Rich in minerals
Lower in Sodium
Lower in price
Lower in Glycemic Index	Equal
Rich in vitamins	Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Net carbs	2.14g	1.12g
Protein	25.58g	23.41g
Fats	26.62g	30.04g
Carbs	2.14g	1.12g
Calories	351kcal	368kcal
Sugar	0.56g	1.12g
Calcium	756mg	717mg
Iron	0.52mg	0.41mg
Magnesium	28mg	27mg
Phosphorus	496mg	468mg
Potassium	138mg	134mg
Sodium	876mg	628mg
Zinc	3.23mg	2.81mg
Copper	0.026mg	0.031mg
Manganese	0.01mg	0.008mg
Selenium	14.5µg	14.5µg
Vitamin A	880IU	1012IU
Vitamin A RAE	236µg	298µg
Vitamin E	0.23mg	0.26mg
Vitamin D	20IU	22IU
Vitamin D	0.5µg	0.6µg
Vitamin B1	0.019mg	0.013mg
Vitamin B2	0.321mg	0.32mg
Vitamin B3	0.156mg	0.103mg
Vitamin B5	0.476mg	0.19mg
Vitamin B6	0.073mg	0.056mg
Folate	10µg	12µg
Vitamin B12	1.46µg	1.47µg
Vitamin K	2.2µg	2.5µg
Tryptophan	0.345mg	0.327mg
Threonine	0.982mg	0.888mg
Isoleucine	1.091mg	1.145mg
Leucine	2.297mg	2.26mg
Lysine	2.646mg	2.139mg
Methionine	0.686mg	0.569mg
Phenylalanine	1.287mg	1.24mg
Valine	1.64mg	1.482mg
Histidine	1.115mg	0.829mg
Cholesterol	69mg	96mg
Saturated Fat	17.078g	19.113g
Monounsaturated Fat	7.393g	8.711g
Polyunsaturated fat	0.769g	0.661g

Which food is preferable for your diet?

Low Fats diet

Low Carbs diet

Low Calories diet

Low Glycemic Index diet

is better in case of low diet


Low Fats diet
Low Carbs diet
Low Calories diet
Low Glycemic Index diet	Equal

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).

Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score

33%

32%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

78%

71%

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Provolone is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.56g)

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?

Provolone is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 27mg)

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Provolone is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 2.035g)

Which food is richer in minerals?

Provolone is relatively richer in minerals

Which food contains less Sodium?

Muenster cheese contains less Sodium (difference - 248mg)

Which food is cheaper?

Muenster cheese is cheaper (difference - $0.5)

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

The foods have equal glycemic indexes (27)

Which food is richer in vitamins?

It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.