Dairy
Camembert Cheese
A soft, creamy, surface-ripened French cow's milk cheese known for its edible white rind and rich, earthy flavor.
A moist, soft, creamy French cheese with a distinctive white rind, made from cow's milk and aged by mold fermentation.
high-fat fermented dairy food
Typical serving · 42g
Common varieties · Camembert de Normandie, Pasteurized Camembert, Camembert with herbs, Light Camembert, Organic Camembert
Overall context score across nutrition, safety, and diet fit
At a glance
Quick facts
Simple indicators based on nutrition, processing, and diet fit.
The story
What makes it unique
Camembert is a fermented dairy product with a high fat and moderate protein content, and negligible carbohydrates. Its digestion is moderately slow due to the high fat content, which promotes satiety but also increases caloric density. The fermentation process introduces Penicillium camemberti mold and lactic acid bacteria, which break down proteins and fats, enhancing bioavailability and creating bioactive peptides.
Varieties: Camembert de Normandie · Pasteurized Camembert · Camembert with herbs · Light Camembert · Organic Camembert
Per 100g
Nutrition breakdown
Macro balance and key metrics at a glance.
Energy
Density 2.99 kcal/g
Protein
Carbs
Fat
Fiber
Sugar
0.5 g
Sodium
842 mg
Potassium
72 mg
Glycemic index
0
Glycemic load
0
Water content
51%
Standout compounds
Nutrient highlights
Vitamin B12
highessential for nerve function and red blood cell formation
Calcium
moderatesupports bone health and muscle function
Probiotics
moderatesupports gut microbiome diversity
Saturated Fat
highprovides dense energy but should be moderated for heart health
Sodium
highessential electrolyte but excessive amounts can raise blood pressure
Wellness map
Health scores & processing
NOVA processing scale
Moderate · Whole food
Made from milk, salt, rennet, and mold cultures through traditional fermentation. It is a processed culinary ingredient combined with unprocessed foods without industrial additives.
Diet compatibility
- Weight loss
- Muscle gain
- Diabetes
- Gut health
- Low carb
- High protein
- Heart health
Relative standing
Food rankings
Qualitative ranks compared to similar whole foods.
- Satietygood
- Blood sugarexcellent
- Nutrient densitymoderate
- Fitness fuelmoderate
- Processing qualitygood
Eat with confidence
Food safety profile
Pasteurized Camembert is safe for general consumption. Raw milk varieties pose a Listeria risk and should be avoided by pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Evidence confidence 90%
- Pesticideslow
- Antibioticsmoderate
- Heavy metalslow
- Contaminationmoderate
Watch for
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Escherichia coli
- Salmonella
Safer choices
Pasteurized Camembert
Prep tips
Keep refrigerated and consume by the use-by date. Discard if the rind develops unusual colors (pink, black) beyond normal white/bloom, or if it smells strongly of ammonia.
Raw milk Camembert carries a higher risk of bacterial contamination; pasteurized versions are standard for mass market distribution to mitigate Listeria risks.
Deep dive
Health analysis
How this food may fit different goals and preparation choices.
Weight loss
High energy density and fat content make portion control critical. It is easy to overconsume calories when eating soft cheese.
Blood sugar
Virtually zero carbohydrates result in a minimal glycemic impact, making it highly suitable for blood sugar stabilization.
Fitness & energy
Provides slow-digesting protein and fat, unsuitable for quick energy but useful for sustained satiety on rest days.
Gut health
Fermentation provides live cultures beneficial for the microbiome, but the complete lack of fiber limits overall gut health benefits.
Processing quality
Traditional fermentation with minimal ingredients. Avoids the emulsifiers and fillers found in ultra-processed cheese products.
Food safety
Listeria risk in raw milk varieties necessitates caution for vulnerable populations. Pasteurization effectively mitigates this risk.
Common mistakes
Eating large portions as a standalone snack, which rapidly escalates calorie and sodium intake.
Best preparation
Paired with high-fiber foods like apple slices or whole grain crackers to add bulk and slow fat absorption.
Practical guide
Best use cases
When and how this food fits real eating patterns.
keto diet fat source
Provides high-quality fats and minimal carbs to maintain ketosis.
low-carb snack paired with nuts
Combines well with walnuts or almonds for a satisfying, blood-sugar-friendly snack.
charcuterie board centerpiece
Adds rich flavor and texture variety to social eating occasions.
flavor enhancer in moderate amounts
A small amount can add significant creaminess and umami to salads or baked dishes.
Balance sheet
Pros & cons
Upsides
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Contains gut-friendly probiotics in the rind
- Good source of vitamin B12 and calcium
- Minimal processing without artificial additives
- High fat content promotes satiety
Trade-offs
- High in saturated fat
- High sodium content
- Easy to overeat due to high palatability
- Raw milk versions pose Listeria risk for vulnerable groups
- Not suitable for dairy-free or vegan diets
Fit check
Who is it for?
Great match
- ketogenic diets
- low-carb snacking
- flavor enhancement in cooking
- charcuterie and entertaining
Consider alternatives
- low-fat diets
- low-sodium diets
- weight loss
- pregnant women (if raw milk)
Side by side
How it compares
Open the full head-to-head analysis for nutrition, safety, and practical tradeoffs.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS95% alike
Compare with
Brie
Brie is slightly richer and milder, while Camembert is denser and more earthy.
Brie and Camembert are nutritionally nearly identical, but Camembert has a slightly stronger flavor and denser texture.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS80% alike
Compare with
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar is lower in moisture and higher in protein per calorie, while Camembert offers probiotics from the rind.
Cheddar provides more protein per calorie, while Camembert offers beneficial probiotics from its rind.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS75% alike
Compare with
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is slightly lower in calories and fat, and its fats are easier to digest for some people.
Goat cheese is slightly lower in calories and fat than Camembert, making it a leaner soft cheese option.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS70% alike
Compare with
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese lacks the fermentation and probiotics of Camembert and has less protein.
Camembert provides more protein and beneficial probiotics compared to cream cheese, which is mostly fat.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS65% alike
Compare with
Gouda
Gouda is a semi-hard cheese with higher protein and calcium content per serving.
Gouda offers more protein and calcium than Camembert, making it slightly better for muscle maintenance and bone health.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS65% alike
Compare with
Feta Cheese
Feta is crumbly, lower in fat, and higher in sodium than Camembert.
Feta is lower in calories and fat than Camembert, but Camembert offers a creamier texture and probiotics.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS50% alike
Compare with
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is high in protein and low in fat, whereas Camembert is high in fat and moderate in protein.
Cottage cheese is far superior for weight loss and muscle gain due to its high protein and low fat, while Camembert is much higher in calories.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS60% alike
Compare with
Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella is lower in sodium and fat compared to Camembert.
Fresh mozzarella is lower in fat and sodium than Camembert, making it a lighter choice for salads and snacks.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS55% alike
Compare with
Parmesan
Parmesan is a protein powerhouse with intense flavor, requiring small portions, while Camembert is eaten in larger, creamier portions.
Parmesan delivers much more protein per calorie than Camembert, making it better for fitness, while Camembert offers a softer, spreadable texture.
This food
Camembert Cheese
VS50% alike
Compare with
Ricotta
Ricotta is lower in sodium and fat, and higher in moisture, making it less calorie-dense.
Ricotta is a lower-fat, lower-sodium alternative to Camembert, better suited for weight loss, while Camembert provides richer flavor.
Common questions
FAQ
Answers aligned with how people search for this food.
Is Camembert healthy to eat?
Camembert offers protein, calcium, and probiotics but is high in saturated fat and sodium. It is healthy in moderation, particularly for low-carb diets, but should be portion-controlled.
Can you eat Camembert on a keto diet?
Yes, Camembert is very low in carbohydrates and high in fat, making it an excellent choice for ketogenic diets.
Is the white rind on Camembert safe to eat?
Yes, the rind is edible and made of Penicillium camemberti mold, which is safe to consume and contains beneficial probiotics.
What is the difference between Brie and Camembert?
Brie is typically larger, milder, and has a higher butterfat content. Camembert is smaller, stronger in flavor, and denser in texture.
Can pregnant women eat Camembert?
Pregnant women should only eat Camembert if it is made from pasteurized milk and cooked until steaming hot. Raw milk Camembert carries a Listeria risk.
Does Camembert have probiotics?
Yes, the fermentation process and bloomy rind introduce live cultures that can support gut health.
Is Camembert good for weight loss?
It is not ideal for weight loss due to its high calorie and fat density, which makes it easy to overconsume.
How many calories are in a serving of Camembert?
A standard 1.5 oz (42g) serving contains about 125 calories.
Transparency
Data confidence
Estimated confidence for nutrition data, interpretation, safety notes, and comparisons.
Nutrition data
Health analysis
Food safety
Comparisons