By: Blair Crane
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.
