Current:Home > FinanceCottage cheese is more than its curds: Get to know the health benefits -VisionFunds
Cottage cheese is more than its curds: Get to know the health benefits
View
Date:2025-04-11 23:46:24
Cottage cheese can be hit or miss. Some might avoid the dairy product because of its flavor or texture, while others might consider it a breakfast staple.
Despite its curds and controversial rep, cottage cheese is incredibly nutritious. So before you write it off completely, consider some of its health benefits.
Nutrition experts Kimberly Snodgrass, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Caryn Huneke, a registered dietitian with the Center for Weight Management at Northwell Health, break them down.
Is cottage cheese good for you?
Cottage cheese is low in calories and high in protein and B vitamins, says Snodgrass. "The nutrients in cottage cheese may help support weight loss, muscle growth and bone health," she adds.
"Cottage cheese is a fantastic, affordable and versatile way to boost your protein intake," Huneke says. "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."
Cottage cheese may be best suited for your midnight cravings thanks to its curds, according to Huneke. "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," she says.
What are superfoods?How to incorporate more into your diet.
What is the health benefit of cottage cheese?
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 probiotics, or "good" bacteria.
Snodgrass says probiotics are "crucial" to good digestion. Huneke adds that you can tell whether or not the cottage cheese is fermented by looking at the label. Keep an eye out for the words "contains live and active cultures," she advises. The ingredient list should include the specific strains of bacteria.
How long does it take to digest food?Plus, which foods are easy on the stomach.
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. She explains that cottage cheese has less sugar than yogurt, but "yogurt has more protein per cup than cottage cheese."
The difference between the two is minimal though. "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)," Huneke said.
veryGood! (1684)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Drones warned New York City residents about storm flooding. The Spanish translation was no bueno
- Colin Farrell Details Son James' Battle With Rare Neurogenetic Disorder
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Noah Lyles, Olympian girlfriend to celebrate anniversary after Paris Games
- 3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
- 'The Umbrella Academy' Season 4: Release date, time, cast, how to watch new episodes
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Video shows dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery and sparking house fire in Oklahoma
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Texas school tried to ban all black attire over mental-health concerns. Now it's on hold.
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- A New York Appellate Court Rejects a Broad Application of the State’s Green Amendment
- Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
Recommendation
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
Colin Farrell Details Son James' Battle With Rare Neurogenetic Disorder
Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
Could we talk ourselves into a recession?
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
BTS member Suga says sorry for drunk driving on e-scooter: 'I apologize to everyone'
Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028