Is cottage cheese healthy? (2024)

FAQs

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).

This fad diet provides quick weight loss by using cottage cheese as the basis for your meals. While it is safe for most people to eat cottage cheese every day, it should not be consumed to the extent that you exclude other food groups. Also, some types of cottage cheese contain high amounts of sodium and/or sugar.

Cottage cheese is a low calorie cheese with a mild flavor. However, it is highly nutritious, which means it may help with weight loss and muscle gain. Cottage cheese is versatile and can be enjoyed in many recipes. Its popularity has grown in the last few decades, and it's often recommended as part of a healthy diet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The rule includes eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning and then doing 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise.

Plain, full-fat cottage cheese has a modest amount of carbohydrates, with most not exceeding 5 grams. It also contains no added sugar, so experts say it's a good candidate for those observing a low-carb and low-glucose diet. Low-fat and fat-free cottage cheese, on the other hand, may contain more carbs and sugar.

Is cottage cheese inflammatory? ›

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.

Other Healthy Processed Foods

In addition to fruits and vegetables, other processed foods that can be part of a healthy diet include tuna and salmon in cans or ready-to-eat pouches, yogurt, cottage cheese, and roasted nuts.

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.

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.

Cottage cheese contains more protein than two eggs.

And that's just the protein in a personal-size cup of the stuff (5.3 oz)—in that size, those wannabe trendy cottage cheeses are weighing in at 16 to 19 grams of protein; eggs have about 6 g each.

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.

That said, up to 3 servings (equivalent to 300 grams) of cottage cheese is a good amount to support weight loss, along with other healthy foods in your diet.

Cottage cheese bowls can be a great source of protein, and they are usually easy to prepare. Switching up your cottage cheese bowl recipes can add variety—and, thus, more nutrients—to your diet.