This low-fat, high-protein snack comes packed full with benefits.
Like it or not, opinions on cottage cheese tend to be very polarised. Some of us remember eating cottage cheese in our school lunches with fondness, while others can’t take the sight or scent of the somewhat salty dairy product.
Cottage cheese is created when milk is treated with an acid, causing the milk solids to separate from the whey. The smooth texture of cottage cheese is due in part to the fact that not all of the whey is drained away, unlike most other cheeses.
Cottage cheese, love it or hate it, is a low-fat, high-protein food that has many positive health effects.
You’ll get a boost of protein.
The substantial increase in protein that you’ll get from eating cottage cheese is one of the most noticeable advantages. One cup of regular 2% cottage cheese contains nearly the same amount of protein as one cup of plain 2% Greek yoghurt like Fage, which is 24 grams.
In addition to the protein boost, you may relax knowing that there is no added sugar and only 9 grammes of sugar per serving (mainly from the lactose). You can adjust the sweetness to your liking by mixing in some fresh fruit or a touch of honey.
It may help promote weight loss.
As a high-protein, low-fat snack, cottage cheese can support your efforts to slim down. Protein-rich diets have been shown to aid weight loss by making people feel full for longer after eating.
Scientific evidence also links increased calorie consumption and weight gain with a diet high in added sugar. Cottage cheese topped with fruit or honey is a healthy alternative to sugary desserts that can help you curb your sweet tooth without overdoing it.
You’ll get a calcium boost.
Another great food to eat to get your daily calcium intake is cottage cheese. About 18% of your daily calcium needs can be met with only one cup of 2% cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is an excellent alternative to yoghurt if you’re sick of eating the same thing every day. One serving is about equivalent to one cup of nonfat Greek yoghurt.
Calcium is beneficial for your bones, hormones, and overall health, and it may even help you avoid or better cope with some conditions. You should get yourself a cup of cottage cheese and reap the benefits.
You won’t consume a lot of fat.
Cottage cheese is a fantastic choice because it provides a satisfying meal or snack with less fat and calories. Even though it contains “cheese” in the name, many people are put off eating cottage cheese as a snack due to its perceived high fat content.
Here, let’s use cheddar cheese as an analogy. While the 24.5 grams of protein in a cup of Cheddar is a welcome addition, the nearly 35 grams of fat make it less desirable. There are only 5 grams of fat in a cup of low-fat cottage cheese, yet it contains the same amount of protein as a cup of regular cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is a lower-calorie snack than other fatty dairy products since fat is higher in calories per grams than nutrients like protein or carbohydrates, with 9 calories per grams as opposed to merely 4.