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
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.”
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.
Is cottage cheese bad for your stomach? ›
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.
What's healthier, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese? ›
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.
How much cottage cheese should you eat a day? ›
The calcium in cottage cheese can help strengthen your bones
Reading the label of a well known cottage cheese brand, a half-cup serving yields 10% of your calcium needs for the day. Double that to a full cup, and you're doing your bones some good.
Is cottage cheese inflammatory to the body? ›
Based on the body of science, dairy foods like milk, yogurt and cheese do not cause inflammation and can be a part of anti-inflammatory diets.
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.
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.
When should you not eat cottage cheese? ›
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.
It is high in fat and low in fiber, meaning it may increase the likelihood of constipation. Like other dairy products, cottage cheese also contains the milk sugar lactose. As such, it may cause constipation or other digestive issues in people with lactose intolerance.
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 healthier than mayo? ›
If you're looking for a different approach, cottage cheese is significantly lower in calories than mayonnaise and can still provide a signature creamy texture to your egg salad. Furthermore, cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse, making it a fantastic substitute for those looking to increase their protein intake.
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 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.
Is cottage cheese actually good for you at NY Times? ›
Cottage cheese has a reputation as a diet food. But in this week's Recipes for Health, Martha Rose Shulman makes a convincing case for cooking with cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is an excellent, low-calorie source of protein — a half-cup of 1 percent low-fat cottage cheese has 14 grams of protein and only 82 calories.
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.
