What's Missing in Soy Cheese?

Today at work, soy cheese came up in two different conversations. I soon realized that I'm not sure how it measures up nutritionally to low-fat milk cheese. It's not something I would usually compare side-by-side, but in this case my patient was asking simply because she likes the taste of soy cheese (not because she couldn't eat dairy cheese). Soy milk is full of high-quality protein, so surely the same is true of soy cheese, right? Read on...

Here's what a quick search turned up.

Tofutti Soy Cheese Slices
Partially hydrogenated soybean oil is the 2nd ingredient (trans-fat alert!!) And that's quite a dollop of sodium for one measly slice. Steer clear of this for sure.

• 1 slice (0.67oz) = 70 calories, 2g protein, 4g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 290mg sodium
• http://www.tofutti.com/cheese-amer-lable.html
• http://www.tofutti.com/cheese-mozz-lable.html

Vegan Gourmet
A bit better, but that's not a lot of protein. Hmm. 

• 1 oz = 50 calories, 2g protein, 4g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 200mg sodium (no trans fats in ingredients list) 
• http://www.followyourheart.com/products.php?id=24 
• http://www.imearthkind.com/

Galaxy Vegan Soy Cheese (Cheddar Flavor block)
Wait, where's the protein?

• 1oz = 60 calories, 1g protein, 3g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 290g sodium, 1g protein (no trans fats in ingredients list) 
• http://www.galaxyfoods.com/Products/SoyCheese/Vegan/veganBlocks.html

Galaxy Veggie Slices, Cheddar Flavor (their Rice cheese slices are comparable to this)

• 1 slice (0.61 oz) = 40 calories, 2.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 3g protein, 220mg sodium (lactose free but not vegan - contains casein, a milk protein) 
• http://www.galaxyfoods.com/Products/SoyCheese/Veggie/veggieSlices.html

I was completely shocked to discover that this sampling of soy cheese - which sounds so healthy - doesn't really contain much of anything (and has a rather long ingredient list). Unless you're vegan, lactose intolerant or allergic to milk, I can't recommend these in good faith. I'd love to discover a brand with a better nutritional profile, so I can help clients with these needs. Please send suggestions my way!

For comparison's sake, here's a glimpse at my favorite brand of low-fat cheese: 

Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese block

• 1oz = 70 calories, 4.5g total fat, 3g saturated fat, 8g protein, 170mg sodium
• Ingredients: Pasteurized lowfat milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, Vitamin A palmitate 
• http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/our_products/products.php?catID=6

Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese block 

• 1oz = 60 calories, 2.5g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 9g protein, 200mg sodium 
• Ingredients: Pasteurized lowfat milk, cheese cultures, corn starch*, salt, monoglyceride*, enzymes, Vitamin A palmitate.  
• http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/our_products/products.php?catID=6