Ricotta vs. Cream cheese — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Compare

by Jack Yacoubian | Last updated on September 22, 2023

Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan

Summary

Ricotta is richer in proteins, selenium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamin B12. Cream cheese is higher in calories, fat, saturated fats, and sodium. Cream cheese is richer in vitamins B2, B5, A, and E.

Table of contents

Introduction

General aspects

Nutritional content comparison

Calories

Carbs

Fats

Saturated fats

Proteins

Minerals

Vitamins

Health impacts

Cardiovascular health

Antioxidant

Cancer

References

Introduction

This article compares two types of dairy products: ricotta and cream cheese. We will discuss their differences according to their general aspects, nutritional content, and health impacts.

General aspects

Ricotta is prepared from leftovers of cheese making by reheating and acidifying the whey product. In comparison, cream cheese is directly prepared from milk.

Ricotta is less creamy and has a granular texture compared to cream cheese; however, it has a slightly sweeter taste. On the other hand, cream cheese has a creamier texture than ricotta and has a saltier taste.

Nutritional content comparison

In this section, we are taking into consideration 100g of each.

Calories

Cream cheese contains double the number of calories compared to ricotta. There are 350 calories in 100g of cream cheese.

Carbs

Cream cheese is higher in carbohydrates than ricotta.

Fats

Cream cheese contains higher amounts of fats compared to ricotta. There is nearly 35g of fat in cream cheese compared to 13g in ricotta.

Saturated fats

Cream cheese contains 2.5 times more saturated fats than ricotta. This difference is significant. Cream cheese contains 20g of saturated fats.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Ricotta

Cream cheese

Contains less Saturated Fat -59%

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +145.6%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +285.2%

Ricotta

Saturated Fat: 8.295 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 3.627 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.385 g

Cream cheese

Saturated Fat: 20.213 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 8.907 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 1.483 g

Contains less Saturated Fat -59%

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +145.6%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +285.2%

Proteins

Ricotta contains double the amount of protein compared to cream cheese. There are nearly 12g of protein per 100g of ricotta.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Ricotta

Cream cheese

Contains more Protein +83.1%

Contains more Water +36.3%

Contains more Fats +165.3%

Contains more Carbs +81.6%

Contains more Other +24.5%

Ricotta

Protein: 11.26 g

Fats: 12.98 g

Carbs: 3.04 g

Water: 71.7 g

Other: 1.02 g

Cream cheese

Protein: 6.15 g

Fats: 34.44 g

Carbs: 5.52 g

Water: 52.62 g

Other: 1.27 g

Contains more Protein +83.1%

Contains more Water +36.3%

Contains more Fats +165.3%

Contains more Carbs +81.6%

Contains more Other +24.5%

Minerals

Ricotta is richer in selenium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. In comparison, cream cheese is high in sodium.

In the visual diagram below, we can visualize the difference in their mineral distributions.

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.

Ricotta

Cream cheese

Contains more Calcium +113.4%

Contains more Iron +245.5%

Contains more Magnesium +22.2%

Contains more Phosphorus +47.7%

Contains less Sodium -73.2%

Contains more Zinc +132%

Contains more Copper +16.7%

Contains more Selenium +68.6%

Contains more Potassium +25.7%

Contains more Manganese +83.3%

Ricotta

Cream cheese

Contains more Calcium +113.4%

Contains more Iron +245.5%

Contains more Magnesium +22.2%

Contains more Phosphorus +47.7%

Contains less Sodium -73.2%

Contains more Zinc +132%

Contains more Copper +16.7%

Contains more Selenium +68.6%

Contains more Potassium +25.7%

Contains more Manganese +83.3%

Vitamins

Ricotta is richer in vitamin B12. Cream cheese is richer in vitamins B2, B5, A, and E.

In the visual diagram below, we can visualize the difference in their vitamin distributions.

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.

Ricotta

Cream cheese

Contains more Vitamin D +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +14.3%

Contains more Folate +33.3%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +54.5%

Contains more Vitamin A +149.7%

Contains more Vitamin E +681.8%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +76.9%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +17.9%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +142.7%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +30.2%

Contains more Vitamin K +90.9%

Ricotta

Cream cheese

Contains more Vitamin D +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +14.3%

Contains more Folate +33.3%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +54.5%

Contains more Vitamin A +149.7%

Contains more Vitamin E +681.8%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +76.9%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +17.9%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +142.7%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +30.2%

Contains more Vitamin K +90.9%

Health impacts

Both dairy products share common health impacts; however, this section will focus on the different health impacts

Cardiovascular health

Cream cheese contains higher amounts of LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. (1)

Antioxidant

Ricotta is richer in selenium, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Selenium maintains a healthy immune system. (2)
Cream cheese is richer in vitamin E, which also provides antioxidant properties. (3)

Cancer

Calcium-rich foods, in this case, ricotta, are associated with increased risks of prostate cancer in males. It is essential to keep dairy consumption to moderate amounts. (4)

References

Author name: Jack Yacoubian

Education: Haigazian Medical University

Last updated: September 22, 2023

Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan

Infographic

Infographic link

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Net carbs	3.04g	5.52g
Protein	11.26g	6.15g
Fats	12.98g	34.44g
Carbs	3.04g	5.52g
Calories	174kcal	350kcal
Starch		0.35g
Sugar	0.27g	3.76g
Calcium	207mg	97mg
Iron	0.38mg	0.11mg
Magnesium	11mg	9mg
Phosphorus	158mg	107mg
Potassium	105mg	132mg
Sodium	84mg	314mg
Zinc	1.16mg	0.5mg
Copper	0.021mg	0.018mg
Manganese	0.006mg	0.011mg
Selenium	14.5µg	8.6µg
Vitamin A	445IU	1111IU
Vitamin A RAE	120µg	308µg
Vitamin E	0.11mg	0.86mg
Vitamin D	10IU	0IU
Vitamin D	0.2µg	0µg
Vitamin B1	0.013mg	0.023mg
Vitamin B2	0.195mg	0.23mg
Vitamin B3	0.104mg	0.091mg
Vitamin B5	0.213mg	0.517mg
Vitamin B6	0.043mg	0.056mg
Folate	12µg	9µg
Vitamin B12	0.34µg	0.22µg
Vitamin K	1.1µg	2.1µg
Tryptophan	0.125mg	0.069mg
Threonine	0.517mg	0.233mg
Isoleucine	0.589mg	0.324mg
Leucine	1.221mg	0.657mg
Lysine	1.338mg	0.567mg
Methionine	0.281mg	0.191mg
Phenylalanine	0.556mg	0.291mg
Valine	0.692mg	0.395mg
Histidine	0.459mg	0.175mg
Cholesterol	51mg	101mg
Saturated Fat	8.295g	20.213g
Omega-3 - EPA	0g	0.01g
Omega-3 - DPA	0g	0.02g
Monounsaturated Fat	3.627g	8.907g
Polyunsaturated fat	0.385g	1.483g
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid		0.007g
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid		0.807g
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid		0.002g
Omega-3 - ALA		0.125g
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid		0.002g
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid		0.036g

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

People also compare

Ricotta vs Romano cheese

Ricotta vs Roquefort

Ricotta vs Swiss cheese

Cream cheese vs Edam

Cream cheese vs Feta

Cream cheese vs Fontina

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

14%

19%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

29%

21%

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Ricotta is lower in Sugar (difference - 3.49g)

Which food contains less Sodium?

Ricotta contains less Sodium (difference - 230mg)

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?

Ricotta is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 50mg)

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Ricotta is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 11.918g)

Which food is cheaper?

Ricotta is cheaper (difference - $1)

Which food is richer in minerals?

Ricotta is relatively richer in minerals

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

Cream cheese is lower in glycemic index (difference - 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.