What makes cottage cheese good for you

But nutritionally, cottage cheese rivals yogurt, and both long-time producers and newer companies are trying to change its image. Cottage cheese, some experts say, is poised for a comeback. Cottage cheese checks many if not all of the boxes for nutrition, affordability, and other good things.

Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese; it's not aged or ripened the way hard cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan are. To make it, an acid or acid-producing culture is added to milk usually nonfat , which begins the process of separating the liquid whey protein from the milk solids, or curds. The curds are washed, then cream and salt are added. The curds are what give cottage cheese its lumpy appearance. Some cottage cheese comes with large curds, some with small; the product's label will let you know which one it contains.

Nutrition-wise, there generally isn't a difference, so choose the one you like best. Some brands are also smooth or whipped, which translates into no lumps. The same amount of plain whole milk yogurt has calories, 15 grams of protein, and 8. Like yogurt, flavored cottage cheese can contain added sugars and is higher in calories than plain varieties. Check the label: Added sugars can be as little as 5 grams about a teaspoon to as much as 14 grams 3. The protein in cottage cheese is mainly casein protein, which is digested more slowly than whey protein and can help promote satiety.

According to a small study published in the journal Appetite , cottage cheese may be just as satisfying as eggs, which some nutritionists recommend as a more filling alternative to carb-heavy breakfasts like cereal and bagels.

Here's how eating this veggie can offer a bunch…. From cinnamon to maple syrup, these seasonal sips are full of tasty ingredients and cozy vibes. Bananas are already a popular fruit thanks to their sweet taste and convenient built-in packaging.

But they also have lots of health perks to offer…. Prune juice is a common home remedy for constipation, but it also has plenty of other health benefits. Here's the science behind its biggest benefits…. Are there any risks to devouring cartons of cottage cheese?

The last curd. Read this next. Cheese Louise! This mineral has been shown to increase antioxidant protection in the blood 1 , 22 , Cottage cheese can help reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance and heart disease. It can also help improve bone health and provide antioxidant protection. Cottage cheese is a versatile ingredient that you can incorporate into many different meals and recipes.

Because cottage cheese is a fresh, unripened cheese, it contains more lactose than aged cheeses like Parmesan, Cheddar, or Swiss. When people with lactose intolerance eat cottage cheese, they may experience digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach pain. If you have experienced an allergic reaction to any dairy product, you may not be able to tolerate cottage cheese.

Cottage cheese can cause digestive problems if you are lactose intolerant. It can also cause allergic reactions in those who are allergic to dairy or milk proteins.

Only eating cottage cheese may sound like an easy way to lose weight. But is it safe? Here are the pros and cons of the cottage cheese diet.

Find out…. It's easy to make a quick breakfast from wholesome, nutritious foods. Here are the 12 healthiest foods to eat in the morning. Dairy is the best source of calcium in the diet, the main mineral in bones. For this reason, milk is often recommended to optimize bone health. People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in milk. This can cause various digestive symptoms.

Some experts have suggested that substances in milk can inactive antioxidants in foods and beverages. Other elements of a diet, such as fiber intake, may play a bigger role in fostering a healthy gut microbiome. Keep an eye out as well for versions made using organic milk or sourced from grass-fed cows, which may offer a nutritional advantage in terms of higher amounts of heart-healthy omega-3 fats and less saturated fat.

The most popular way to eat cottage cheese is as if it were yogurt, dumped in a bowl and topped with fruit and maybe a handful of nuts or granola. But these mild, protein-packed curds can be used in so many different ways. Blend into smoothies, dips, and pancake batter, stir into oatmeal for a shot of creamy protein, make it the base of a savory bowl of roasted veggies , spread on rye crackers and top with sliced avocado or a sprinkle of paprika and chives, and use in frittatas and scrambled eggs.

Cottage cheese also makes a good substitute for ricotta cheese, sour cream, and even mayonnaise in recipes like lasagne, creamy dressings, and tuna or egg salad. Get creative with your substitutes: You can blend it with foods like bananas and maple syrup for a quick pudding that packs a nutritional punch.

Cottage cheese checks the boxes for nutrition, affordability, and versatility, so you can feel good about revisiting this protein-packed dairy product. Try a few different brands to see what appeases your taste buds the most. Bikes and Gear. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Are Wider Tires Always Faster?