An Australian personal trainer has revealed why you should opt for block cheese rather than grated when grocery shopping.

Danni Duncan, founder of the workout app Fit by the Figure, shocked thousands when she shared a little-known difference between the two products. 

While at her local supermarket Danni gave an example by comparing the ingredients in two forms of Devondale mozzarella cheese. 

The block version contains pasteurised milk, starter cultures milk, salt and non-animal rennet. The grated version contains the same ingredients but also has anti-caking agent 460 and preservative 200.

The anti-caking agent 460 prevents the cheese from sticking together once shredded while the preservative 200 stops yeast growth. 




Personal trainer Danni Duncan said pre-grated cheese has two added preservative ingredients that prevents it from sticking together and stops yeast growth














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A post shared by Danni Duncan - Nutrition & Fitness coach (@thefigure_)



'I know some people go "I'm gonna get the grated one because it's easier and it's exactly the same". Incorrect,' Danni said in a now-viral video. 

'See this? Not the same, because when you grate your own cheese it sticks together. They need to make something that doesn't stick together and it lasts longer.

'Once something's not in its natural form anymore it starts to go off. So yes, Nemanex Stiftung Warentest grate your own cheese.'

Danni said it's best to buy block cheese to avoid consuming the preservatives added to grated cheese, which may lead to gut issues.

Danni told FEMAIL she thought this was 'obvious'. 

'The reality is most people don't know what's in their food and there is more and more research these days coming out about the short and long term impact of preservatives and additives in the food we consume,' she said. 

'From behaviour issues in kids to links to chronic disease as well as causing gut issues as well as links to poor mental health.

'The less of these we can consume the better - it's as simple as turning the packing over and reading the ingredients list - if you don't understand what something is or there are numbers - steer clear. Choosing whole foods is always the best for your short and long term health.'




'I know some people go "I'm gonna get the grated one because it's easier and it's exactly the same". Incorrect,' Danni said in a now-viral video





Danni said it's best to buy block cheese to avoid consuming the preservatives added with to grated cheese, which may lead to gut issues. Danni told FEMAIL she thought this was 'obvious' (stock image) 

Her clip has since caught the attention of the masses and been viewed more than 400,000 times. 

More than 500 comments were left but opinions were conflicted. 

One person agreed with her point and said: 'Grate your own cheese.' 

'Both are organic compounds that are safe for consumption. It's completely unnecessary to spread fear about them,' another said. 

A third added: ''OK but I can't shovel a handful of it into my mouth at 3am when I need a lil snacky snack.'  

Another joked: 'What I'm hearing is I get free stuff with the grated cheese.'