Pineapple on pizza. French fries dipped in a milkshake. Ketchup and eggs.
Like these somewhat controversial food pairings, when someone thinks of cottage cheese, there are generally two reactions: yum! or nope.
Your personal preference aside, cottage cheese is a nutritious snack that many of us enjoy. For those not deterred by the mere thought of cottage cheese, we dove deeper into the health benefits of this dairy favorite by speaking to nutrition experts Kimberly Snodgrass, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Caryn Huneke, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian with the Center for Weight Management at Northwell Health.
Is cottage cheese good for you?
Yes! Snodgrass says that cottage cheese is a great option because it’s low in calories and high in protein and B vitamins. She adds, “It is important to note that the nutrients in cottage cheese may help support weight loss, muscle growth and bone health.”
Huneke also sang its praises, “Cottage cheese is a fantastic affordable and versatile way to boost your protein intake. It can be eaten alone or with fruit, used to increase protein in recipes like pancakes and it can be doctored up to satisfy a sweet or savory craving.” Think of using it with tomatoes and basil for a twist on a caprese salad or mixed with some powdered sugar, almond extract and mini chocolate chips for a high-protein cannoli dip dessert.
She further explains that cottage cheese may be the best late-night snack. “... to achieve cottage cheese’s signature texture, liquid whey is strained out leaving the solid curds. These curds are packed with casein − a slow-digesting milk protein – that makes cottage cheese an ideal nighttime snack, giving your body a steady flow of protein over several hours overnight to aid in muscle repair and recovery.”
What is the health benefit of cottage cheese?
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. Huneke says you can tell whether or not the cottage cheese is fermented or not by looking at the label – keep an eye out for the words “contains live and active cultures.” The ingredient list should include the specific strains of bacteria.
Is yogurt good for you?It's nutrient-rich and high in protein.
Is cottage cheese or yogurt better for you?
Both cottage cheese and yogurt are excellent options for a healthy snack. Snodgrass finds it hard to choose, but she thinks there may be a slight winner. “Cottage cheese does however have a modest advantage in terms of a little less sugar than yogurt. In turn, you will find that yogurt has more protein per cup than cottage cheese,” she explains.
But, really, the difference between the two is minimal. Huneke gives an analysis, “Nutritionally speaking, plain Greek yogurt is the closest comparison (to cottage cheese) – they’re both lower in calories (the 0-2% fat versions), high in protein, a good source of calcium, contain no added sugars, and have lower levels of lactose (so they’re among the more easily-tolerated forms of dairy)."
If you’re reading this article in the morning – reach for some cottage cheese! An afternoon snack? Cottage cheese! Late night craving? Go for that cottage cheese!
What is the healthiest cheese?Here are some low-sodium, low-calorie and low-fat options.
FAQs
Cottage cheese is a good source of some vitamins and minerals, but it only contains small amounts of others, or none at all. If you only eat cottage cheese throughout the day, you won't get the RDI of all the nutrients your body needs to function well. You may lose energy throughout the day, especially if you exercise.
Is it healthy to eat cottage cheese every day? ›
He said that while most cheese, including cottage cheese, contains nutrients such as vitamins and calcium, it can also have high levels of sodium and fat, so he recommends eating it in moderation.
Is cottage cheese healthy 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 is the healthiest cottage cheese to eat? ›
Best: Friendship Dairies 1% Low-Fat Whipped Cottage Cheese
The Friendship brand of cottage cheese is a great bet, according to registered dietitian Lauren Harris-Pincus, specifically the 1%, low-fat whipped version, which contains 110 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 19 grams of protein per 5-ounce serving.
Does cottage cheese help your bowels? ›
Cottage cheese has decent amount of phosphorous which helps in digestion and excretion. The magnesium present in cottage cheese can also prevent constipation. Magnesium has a laxative effect. Which means it draws water into the stools, making them softer and easier to pass through the intestinal walls.
Is Greek yogurt or cottage cheese better for you? ›
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.
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 good for your liver? ›
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.
How 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.
Is store bought 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).
And dairy maybe even less obvious. Cottage cheese slides by chicken in protein content. A half cup of cottage cheese will deliver 14 grams of protein. Choose one percent fat for a satisfying and delicious protein source.
What are the side effects of cottage cheese? ›
The side effects may be temporary, but if you frequently go on the cottage cheese diet and consistently consume too much sodium, serious problems may occur, such as: high blood pressure. increased risk of heart attack and stroke. heart failure.
What simple trick empties your bowels immediately? ›
Try These Tricks for Quick Bowel Movement Stimulation
- Drink coffee. Regarding drinks that make you poop, coffee is probably the first that comes to mind. ...
- Squat when you poop. ...
- Use a fiber supplement. ...
- Take a stimulant laxative. ...
- Take an osmotic laxative. ...
- Take a lubricant laxative. ...
- Try a stool softener. ...
- Use a suppository.
Is cottage cheese bad for you in any way? As explained above, cottage cheese does contain some saturated fat. And too much saturated fat can increase someone's risk for heart disease. Another potential downside of cottage cheese is that it is fairly high in sodium (a component of salt).
Is cottage cheese a highly processed food? ›
Cottage Cheese Is a Versatile Processed Food. Many people are rightfully confused as to what makes a food product or beverage processed. Processes such as pasteurizing milk, canning fruits and vegetables, and vacuum packing meats help prevent spoilage and increase overall food safety.
Does cottage cheese spike blood sugar? ›
Low-fat types like cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, or mozzarella are high-protein choices that help keep your blood sugar in check. Enjoy a quarter-cup of cottage cheese with a half-cup of fruit, a piece of low-fat string cheese, or ricotta spread on whole-grain crackers.
Does cottage cheese have a lot of sodium? ›
Cottage cheese is a good source of calcium and an excellent source of protein, but it's also relatively high in salt. A 1/2-cup (113-gram) serving of cottage cheese averages 350 mg of sodium, or 15% of the RDI (13).
