Time to switch it up! Today on the blog I’m taking a break from restaurants and offering up a simple recipe that you can make at home. Don’t worry, it contains CHEESE!

I was really excited to find out about Moon Cheese because I’m always looking for protein rich snacks to eat between meals while I’m at work. Many of the pre-packaged snacks available on the market today such as crackers, chips, you name it, are full of empty carbs. Empty carbs can contribute to weight gain and blood sugar spikes, especially when eaten in excess without other macronutrients such as protein and fat.I also love the convenient aspect of Moon Cheese. These don’t require any refrigeration so they are perfect to take on a road trip or on an airplane. Per serving, the three flavors that I tried contain 0 g sugar, 4 or 5 g protein, 5 g fat, and are considered an excellent source of calcium. Aside from being a great snack, you can also use Moon Cheese in a recipe.

I created a keto friendly salad using Pepper Jack and Cheddar Moon Cheese from Publix by substituting it instead of croutons and traditional cheese. As a Registered Dietitian (RD), one of the comments that I tend to hear from people following a low carb diet is that they miss eating crunchy snacks. That’s what makes Moon Cheese a great substitute for something like a crouton – it offers a great crunch, great cheesy flavor and is a nutritious substitute for something like an empty calorie crouton. All a crouton offers is calories in the form of carbohydrate without offering much nutritional value.

I don’t personally follow a ketogenic diet, rather, I aim to consume a low to moderate amount of carbs daily while especially limiting specific empty calorie foods such as simple sugars like candy. More info about the ketogenic diet at the bottom of this blog post. For those who follow the popular keto diet, this recipe is perfect for a filling lunch or dinner. It’s also a great recipe for those simply watching their carb intake. Here’s the recipe:

Keto Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad with Moon Cheese

Ingredients:

1 serving of Pepper Jack Moon Cheese

1 Serving of Cheddar Moon Cheese

1 Large Chicken Breast

1/2 T Carne Asada Seasoning

1 Ripe Avocado

4 C of Romaine Lettuce

1 T Olive Oil

Avocado Ranch Dressing

1/2 Lime

Salt & Pepper for Seasoning

Directions:

Cut the chicken breast into strips and season with carne asada spice blend. Sautee the chicken in olive oil. Let cool slightly before adding to salad. Chop lettuce as your base. Slice avocado and sprinkle with lime juice to avoid browning. Add avocado to your lettuce base and season with salt and pepper. Add your chicken, Moon Cheese and avocado ranch dressing. Enjoy!

So there you have it, a delicious keto friendly lunch or dinner! Click here to find a store that sells Moon Cheese or order it online.

A note about ketogenic diets: a low-carb diet is not synonymous with a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets have been traditionally used as a medically necessary part of treatment for those with epilepsy. To truly reach a state of ketosis, it involves testing your urine for ketone bodies and following a strict eating pattern that includes very high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake. Ketogenic diets are not considered a gold standard for weight loss. Before following a ketogenic diet, discuss it with a dietitian and a doctor.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Moon Cheese. I received payment and complementary product. All opinions are my own.

About Moon Cheese: Moon Cheese™ is dried cheese that contains high quality protein, is low-carb, gluten-free, KETO-FRIENDLY, and a good source of calcium. It is the convenient, healthy, non-perishable, shelf-stable snack perfect for anyone on-the-go. No refrigeration is required and bags are resealable. Moon Cheese™ has the crunch of a chip and all the flavor and nutrition of real cheese because it really is just cheese! Moon Cheese™ is available in three varieties at your local Publix supermarket including Cheddar, Gouda and Pepper Jack.

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All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Ryan, property of TheSoFlaSage.com.