What Kind of Cheese is Eatlean Cheese? A Guide to This High-Protein Option

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

With up to 90% less fat than standard cheddar, Eatlean has significantly impacted the low-fat cheese market. But exactly what kind of cheese is Eatlean cheese, and how is it made so lean and high in protein for health-conscious consumers?

Quick Summary

Eatlean is a natural, high-protein, and low-fat cheese alternative crafted from skimmed British cow's milk. It offers a healthier nutritional profile and similar taste to traditional cheddar, making it a popular choice for balanced diets and weight management.

Key Points

High-Protein Cheese: Eatlean is a natural cheese, comparable to a cheddar in taste, but with a significantly higher protein content.
Low-Fat Composition: Made from skimmed cow's milk, Eatlean contains up to 90% less fat than standard full-fat cheddar.
Fewer Calories: With up to 50% fewer calories than standard cheddar, Eatlean is a popular choice for calorie-controlled diets.
Natural Ingredients: The core ingredients are simply milk, starter cultures, and salt, with no artificial additives.
Different Texture: The higher protein and lower fat give Eatlean a denser, less creamy texture, but it melts well for cooking.
Versatile Use: It can be used as a healthier substitute in a wide variety of recipes where traditional cheddar would be used.
Lactose-Free: Most Eatlean variants are lactose-free due to the natural cheesemaking process.

Understanding Eatlean: A High-Protein, Low-Fat Cheese

Eatlean is a brand of cheese known for its high protein and low fat content. While it tastes and melts much like a traditional cheddar, it is fundamentally a type of "protein cheese" manufactured to offer a healthier nutritional profile. Rather than being a unique variety of cheese, it is best described as a reformulated cheddar-style cheese, specifically designed to meet the dietary needs of those seeking reduced fat and increased protein intake. This is achieved by utilizing skimmed milk during the cheesemaking process, a departure from the full-fat milk used for standard cheddar.

The Cheesemaking Process: How Eatlean is Made

Unlike traditional cheese which uses whole milk, Eatlean cheese is produced using pasteurised, skimmed cow's milk. The core ingredients are surprisingly simple, consisting of just milk, starter cultures, and salt. The company's expertise lies in its proprietary process, developed over generations, which allows their cheesemakers to increase the protein content and significantly reduce the fat, all while retaining a flavor and melt similar to conventional cheese. The process involves:

Sourcing 100% British cow's milk, often from the Cheshire plains.
Using skimmed milk as the base to lower the fat content from the start.
Utilizing special cheesemaking techniques to retain the high protein content of the milk solids.
Maturing some variants, like Eatlean Tasty Mature, for an extended period to develop a richer flavor profile.
Ensuring the final product is a 100% natural cheese with no added sugars or artificial flavors.

Nutritional Comparison: Eatlean vs. Full-Fat Cheddar

The most significant selling point of Eatlean is its vastly superior nutritional content when compared to a full-fat cheddar. The table below highlights the key differences, illustrating why it is so popular with dieters and fitness enthusiasts.


Nutrient (per 100g)	Eatlean Original	Full-Fat Cheddar	Nutritional Difference
Energy	728kJ / 172 kcal	~1680 kJ / 402 kcal	~50% Fewer Calories
Protein	36g	~25g	~40% More Protein
Fat	3g	~33g	~90% Less Fat
Saturates	1.3g	~21g	Significant Reduction
Carbohydrates	1.9g	~0.1g	Similar, low levels

Texture, Flavor, and Usability

Due to its different composition, Eatlean cheese has a different texture than traditional cheddar. The high protein content means it is less creamy and moister, feeling slightly drier and denser. However, it is designed to be highly versatile in the kitchen, offering a good melt and stretch similar to mozzarella or a mature cheddar, depending on the variant. It can be grated over pasta, used on pizza, or melted in wraps and burgers, making it a simple, healthier swap for many recipes. Flavors vary by product line, from the neutral Original to the more robust and creamy Tasty Mature.

Is Eatlean Processed?

The question of whether Eatlean is "processed" is a point of debate. Eatlean's manufacturers proudly state it is a 100% natural product made with standard cheesemaking ingredients. The company argues that the difference lies only in the skill of their cheesemakers, who use skimmed milk to create a product with a different nutritional balance, not a chemically altered food. However, some critics categorize it as processed or ultra-processed due to the industrial techniques used to manipulate its macronutrient profile, resulting in higher salt content compared to some other cheeses. The key is to distinguish between a food being "manufactured" in a specific way and one that is loaded with artificial additives. Eatlean falls into the former category, with minimal, natural ingredients, but its specific composition is an intentional outcome of its modern manufacturing process.

Beyond the Original: Exploring Eatlean Variants

Eatlean Original: The flagship product, offering the maximum fat reduction and protein boost.
Eatlean Tasty Mature: Matured for longer to achieve a more robust, creamy, and mature cheddar-like flavor.
Eatlean Grated: A convenient, pre-shredded option perfect for melting on pizzas or in wraps.
Eatlean Smoked: Infused with a smoky flavor for a different taste profile.
Eatlean Spreadable: A high-protein, low-fat spreadable alternative to soft cheeses.

Conclusion

Eatlean is a high-protein, low-fat cheese that is most closely related to a cheddar in taste and usability. It is produced naturally from skimmed British cow's milk using advanced cheesemaking techniques to create a product with a vastly different nutritional makeup than its full-fat counterparts. While it may be considered a "manufactured" product due to the specific adjustments made to its macronutrient profile, its ingredients are simple and natural. For those looking to increase their protein intake and reduce calories and fat in their diet without eliminating cheese, Eatlean offers a versatile and effective solution. It provides a viable and healthy alternative, putting cheese back on the menu for those with weight management goals or specific dietary needs. You can learn more about their products directly from the Eatlean website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eatlean cheese is made from pasteurised, skimmed British cow's milk, along with starter cultures and salt. Grated variants may also contain an anti-caking agent.

Yes, Eatlean cheese is suitable for vegetarians, as it is made using non-animal rennet.

Yes, Eatlean cheese is designed to melt well and can be used effectively on pizzas, in wraps, and in other baked dishes, just like regular cheese.

Most Eatlean variants are certified lactose-free, with the cheesemaking process naturally removing the majority of the lactose from the finished product. Lactose-free status does not apply to their Spreadable and Cheese Bake products.

Compared to full-fat cheddar, Eatlean offers significantly less fat (up to 90%), fewer calories (up to 50%), and more protein (up to 40%).

While the manufacturing process is highly specialized to achieve its nutritional profile, Eatlean is made with natural ingredients like milk, starter cultures, and salt. The company maintains it is a natural cheese, though some critics might classify it as processed due to the manipulation of its macronutrient content.

Eatlean has a denser and drier texture than traditional cheddar due to its lower fat content and higher protein. Despite this, it remains versatile for cooking.

Eatlean cheese is handmade on a family-owned dairy farm in Cheshire, in the heart of the UK, using 100% British cow's milk.