The Claim

Plant-based cheese alternatives in Spain contain a median saturated fat content of 12.5 g per 100 g, which is comparable to the saturated fat content of animal cheese, and provide 2% of daily protein needs per 100 g, which is significantly less than the 17% of daily protein needs per 100 g provided by animal cheese.

Source: Characterizing Meat- and Milk/Dairy-like Vegetarian Foods and Their Counterparts Based on Nutrient Profiling and Food Labels

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
44score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Plant-based cheese alternatives sold in Spain have as much saturated fat as regular cheese and much less protein.

See the scientific wording

Plant-based cheese alternatives in Spain contain unexpectedly high levels of saturated fat (median 12.5 g/100 g), comparable to animal cheese, despite being plant-derived, and provide significantly less protein than animal cheese (2% vs. 17% of daily needs per 100 g).

Why this might work

Manufacturers use coconut or palm oil to mimic the texture and flavor of dairy cheese, which adds large amounts of saturated fat. They do not include milk proteins, so the final product has almost no protein.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Characterizing Meat- and Milk/Dairy-like Vegetarian Foods and Their Counterparts Based on Nutrient Profiling and Food Labels

    The study found that plant-based cheese in Spain has just as much unhealthy saturated fat as real cheese, but way less protein — so it’s not healthier in those two key ways.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.