The diets react (see scores below)
Diet Ratings
Full-fat cheese with minimal carbs (0.7g net carbs per oz), high fat content (9g fat per oz), and excellent protein. Ideal for keto.
Monterey Jack is a dairy cheese made from cow's milk. All dairy products are excluded from the vegan diet.
Dairy cheese is excluded from paleo diet. Contains lactose and casein proteins that were not available to Paleolithic humans.
Cheese is acceptable in moderation within Mediterranean diet, but Monterey Jack is a processed, high-fat American cheese not traditional to Mediterranean cuisine. Prefer aged cheeses like feta, pecorino, or Parmigiano-Reggiano in smaller amounts.
Monterey Jack is a full-fat cheese derived from animal milk, making it animal-sourced. However, it contains lactose and casein that can be inflammatory for some carnivore practitioners. Most carnivore dieters include cheese, but strict adherents and those with dairy sensitivity exclude it.
Strict carnivore and Lion Diet followers exclude all dairy, including cheese, arguing it is processed and can trigger inflammatory responses. Some practitioners only consume raw, aged cheeses with minimal lactose.
Monterey Jack is a dairy cheese. Dairy (including all cheeses) is explicitly excluded from the Whole30 program for the full 30 days. The only dairy exception is ghee/clarified butter.
Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese with moderate lactose content. Monash rates hard cheeses (aged >1 year) as low-FODMAP, but Monterey Jack is typically aged 3-6 months, placing it in an intermediate zone. A standard 40g serving may be tolerable for some, but lactose sensitivity varies. Portion control is essential during elimination phase.
Some FODMAP practitioners recommend avoiding all cheeses except aged varieties (cheddar, parmesan) during strict elimination to minimize lactose exposure, despite Monterey Jack's moderate profile.
Full-fat cheese high in saturated fat and sodium. DASH emphasizes low-fat or fat-free dairy. One ounce contains ~6g saturated fat and ~150mg sodium. Acceptable in small portions as flavoring but not as primary dairy source.
Monterey Jack is a full-fat cheese with approximately 28% fat by weight, mostly saturated. While it provides protein (~7g per ounce), the saturated fat content exceeds Zone preferences for monounsaturated sources. Can be used in small portions (0.5–1 oz) as a fat block, but requires careful integration into meals to maintain 40/30/30 ratio without exceeding saturated fat guidelines.
Full-fat cheese high in saturated fat and omega-6 fatty acids. While it contains some protein and calcium, the saturated fat content and lack of anti-inflammatory compounds make it a food to limit rather than emphasize. Anti-inflammatory diet guidelines recommend limiting full-fat dairy in favor of low-fat alternatives or plant-based options.
Monterey Jack provides protein (7g per oz) but is high in saturated fat (9g per oz) and calories (106 per oz). While it offers some nutritional density, the fat content can worsen GLP-1 side effects like nausea and bloating. Small portions (1 oz) are manageable; larger servings are problematic.
Some GLP-1 RDs recommend cheese as an acceptable protein source in strict moderation (0.5-1 oz), while others advise limiting all high-fat dairy due to consistent reports of worsened GI symptoms in their patient populations.
Controversy Index
Score range: 1–9/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.