Different foods go through the cycle of being trendy online. Right now, it is cottage cheese for extra protein. From adding toppings, scrambling it with your eggs and even ice cream, the options are endless.
Pamela Voelkers, an integrative health coach and dietitian at Aurora Health Care, says, “Cottage cheese provides about 14 grams of protein per half cup, and is relatively low calorie. It can be a great source of protein in your diet. Additionally, it provides B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and selenium.”
Protein in each meal helps control hunger cravings, steadies blood sugars and minimizes mood fluctuations.
To calculate how much protein you need in your diet, take 0.8 x body weight in kilograms. On average women need 50 grams of protein per day or 15-20 grams per meal. Men need approximately 60 grams of protein per day or 20-25 grams per meal.
Can you have too much protein?
“I would consider limiting cottage cheese intake to 1 cup per day to allow for nutrient variety,” Voelkers advises. Before purchasing, she says to compare food labels as some cottage cheese can be higher in sodium than others, and the low-fat varieties may sneak in sugar.
As the trend builds, more people are trying to cook with cottage cheese to increase their protein intake throughout the day. There are some pros and cons to weigh when cooking with cottage cheese.
“Cottage cheese would be great added into a smoothie, in muffins for added moisture and is a great substitute for ricotta in lasagna. But I wouldn’t try to use it as a cheese sauce as cottage cheese will not melt fully,” says Pamela.
As far as the trending cottage cheese ice cream, she says she hasn’t tried it but will! Although milk is still a good source of protein when making ice cream.
Are you trying to watch your weight? Take a free online quiz to learn more about your healthy weight range.
Blair Crane
Blair Crane, health enews contributor, is a public affairs coordinator for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Missouri - Columbia and has more than six years of communication and marketing experience. Outside of work you can find her trying new restaurants and hanging out with her two cats.
FAQs
It can be a great source of protein in your diet. Additionally, it provides B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and selenium.” Protein in each meal helps control hunger cravings, steadies blood sugars and minimizes mood fluctuations.
Is cottage cheese actually healthy? ›
Is cottage cheese healthy? Cottage cheese is low in calories while providing protein and vital nutrients, Zumpano says, making it one of the healthiest cheeses you can eat. It's made by curdling pasteurized (sterilized) cow's milk — when milk turns acidic, the milk protein separates and forms curds (clumps).
What happens to your body if you eat cottage cheese everyday? ›
It's a high-protein diet
One cup of low-fat cottage cheese has a whopping 28 grams (g) and only 163 calories. High-protein foods digest slowly. This helps keep you feeling full longer and makes you less likely to overeat. Protein also helps keep blood sugar levels stable, and helps build muscle.
What are the disadvantages of cottage cheese? ›
Cottage cheese harms
- Cottage cheese is made from milk and contains 3 to 4 grams of sugars per 100 grams. ...
- Cheeses contain significant amounts of salt — sometimes as much as 2 grams or more per 100 grams. ...
- A major concern with dairy foods is blood cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease.
The Bottom Line. And the winner is... plain Greek yogurt by a very thin margin. Greek yogurt's advantage is very slight due to a little more calcium, lower sodium and a higher chance of containing probiotics.
Is cottage cheese anti-inflammatory? ›
A 2021 study of 35,352 postmenopausal women published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reported a connection between higher intakes of dairy foods (including cottage cheese) and lower levels of CRP and IL-6. The same study revealed that eating yogurt was linked to a drop in type 2 diabetes risk.
Why does cottage cheese burn belly fat? ›
What is in cottage cheese that burns fat? Cottage cheese itself does not burn fat. But it is high in protein, with 25 grams per one cup serving. Fat is burned through exercise and moving your body.
How many times a week should you eat cottage cheese? ›
“I would consider limiting cottage cheese intake to 1 cup per day to allow for nutrient variety,” Voelkers advises. Before purchasing, she says to compare food labels as some cottage cheese can be higher in sodium than others, and the low-fat varieties may sneak in sugar.
Why eat cottage cheese before bed? ›
Here's where metabolic magic happens: The amount of muscle our body has is one of the primary drivers in determining how many calories we burn each day. "Other research supports that cottage cheese before bed actually does increase metabolism the next morning," Reaver says.
Is cottage cheese hard on your gut? ›
Besides the reasons outlined above, cottage cheese may help with gut health. Since it is often fermented, (a process that helps remove the cheese curds from the liquid) cottage cheese may contain “good” bacteria called probiotics. Snodgrass says probiotics are “crucial” to good digestion.
Best cheeses to include in a healthy diet are low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese or mozzarella cheese made with skim milk. There are also other varieties of cheese that are available as low fat and fat-free.
Is cottage cheese bad for your cholesterol? ›
Although cottage cheese is a healthy part of the diet, it does contain both saturated fat and sodium, two nutrients that are linked to health issues. Excessive saturated fat in the diet can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and contribute to chronic illness, according to the National Institute of Health.
Which is healthier sour cream or cottage cheese? ›
What's more, cottage cheese is much lower in calories and fat and higher in protein than sour cream. Half a cup (105 g) contains 88 calories, 2.5 g of fat, and 11.5 g of protein. For reference, half a cup (120 g) of sour cream contains 238 calories, 23 g of fat, and just 3 g of protein ( 9 , 11 ).
Is cottage cheese a good probiotic? ›
Why it's good for you: Cheese lovers, rejoice: cottage cheese is a great pick for your gut. As with other fermented foods, cottage cheese often delivers probiotics (check the package labels for live and active cultures), and it's high in calcium, which is important for strong bones.
Is cottage cheese good for your heart? ›
Although it is good for you, cottage cheese is high in sodium. It isn't great for people with high blood pressure, heart disease or congestive heart failure. For somebody with a heart condition or hypertension, they should limit sodium intake to 1,500 to 2,000 mg each day.
Is cottage cheese highly processed? ›
When you are deciding on a processed food product, it is always useful to evaluate its nutritional content and long-term health effects. Minimally processed may be just as healthy, but ultra-processed foods can have a high ratio of calories to nutrients.
Is cottage cheese worth the hype? ›
Cottage cheese is a great addition to a healthy eating pattern because it is low in calories, fat and carbs while being high in protein. Even the full fat version (which we love) only has 4% milk fat, compared to 36% milk fat found in cheddar cheese. One note of caution; cottage is quite high in sodium.
Why does cottage cheese have so much sodium? ›
The salt in cottage cheese not only enhances flavor but also contributes to texture and functions as a preservative.
Is cottage cheese a healthy carb? ›
With its modest amount of carbohydrates per serving, around five grams, and no added sugar, plain cottage cheese is a sensible choice for people who need to monitor their blood sugar. Again, because of its ample protein content, which slows digestion, it helps to promote blood sugar control while preventing spikes.
