The 5 Healthiest Cottage Cheese Brands You Can Buy, According to Dietitians
Pst—nutritionally, all cottage cheeses aren’t created equal.
For years, cottage cheese has been an underappreciated food that dietitians would recommend. But finally cottage cheese is having its moment, where influencers and consumers are recognizing the health benefits and various culinary applications (such as Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Bowls, pictred above) of this nutrient-filled dairy food.
Nutritional Benefits of Cottage Cheese
One half-cup serving of low-fat (two-percent) plain cottage cheese provides about 90 calories, 2.5 grams of total fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 12 grams of protein. It also provides vitamin B12, riboflavin, phosphorus, potassium and calcium.
Calcium and potassium are nutrients commonly under consumed by Americans, so adding cottage cheese to your day can help fill nutrient gaps.
Should You Buy Nonfat or Full-Fat Cottage Cheese?
When comparing the calories and fat between nonfat and full-fat (four-percent) cottage cheese, they’re not drastically different. The calorie difference between nonfat and full-fat is about 30 per serving, while the fat difference is around two grams. Choose whichever version meets your individual needs and goals (or have some of each!).
17 Healthy Cottage Cheese Recipes That Will Fuel You 17 Photos
This versatile star ingredient delivers richness and body, along with plenty of protein.
24 Cottage Cheese Recipes You've Got to Try 52 Photos
It will become your new secret ingredient for everything from pasta bakes to pancakes.
5 Recommended Cottage Cheese Brands
There are many health benefits to adding cottage cheese to your healthy, varied diet including helping to build and maintain health bones and muscle mass, helping promote gut health, and helping with blood sugar control and weight management. Below are 5 cottage cheese brands dietitians recommend on how to enjoy them within a healthy eating plan.
Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, a Charleston-based registered dietitian and cottage cheese lover recommends Daisy because she loves the, “the minimal ingredients the brand uses -- only sticking to quality additions.” Indeed, the 3-ingredients used to make Daisy cottage cheese is milk, cream and salt. In addition, Manaker says that this brand of cottage cheese is free from stabilizers and thickeners, instead using live and active cultures to create a lush creamy texture. And with 13 grams of protein per serving, it helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. One surprising way Manaker enjoys here cottage cheese is on top of a baked potato—so give it a try.
This brand is a favorite of Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RDN, FAND, founder and president of Farmer’s Daughter Consulting, because of, “the flavor, larger curd size and the gut health benefits of the live, active bacteria.” In addition, a common theme of all cottage cheese is the high protein content with14 grams per 1/2 cup serving, which Miller says is an, “obvious bonus for a breakfast food that keeps hunger at bay all morning.” Miller’s go-to pairing is cottage cheese with fresh raspberries for extra fiber and additional gut health benefits.
Clover Sonoma Organic Cottage Cheese has a creamy texture, mild flavor, and is made with simple, organic ingredients, and that’s why it’s a favorite of Patricia Bannan, MS, RDN, author of From Burnout to Balance and founder of Wellness Intelligence™. In addition to the 14 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving, Bannan says it’s a good source of calcium at 10% of the recommended daily value. “I love how versatile it is: it works just as well in savory dishes like salads or topped with olive oil and herbs as it does paired with fruit for an easy, nourishing snack,” says Bannan.
Liz Weiss, MS, RDN is co-author of The GLP-1 Kitchen cookbook and founder of LizsHealthyTable.com favors Trader Joe’s brand because it “delivers great nutrition without sacrificing taste or texture.” Plus as a Boston resident, Weiss says that “Trader Joe’s is my closest—and walkable—market, so it’s naturally my go-to store, and I’m lucky they consistently carry affordable, versatile staples like this low-fat cottage cheese.” Pictured is the 4% version, but Weiss often recommends lower-fat dairy because it’s nutrient-dense and satisfying, offering that creamy, comforting experience with less saturated fat than full-fat versions. Weiss uses cottage cheese often, including throughout her latest cookbook, “because it’s an easy way to boost protein and calcium when appetite is smaller but nutrition still matters.”
As a registered dietitian, I often recommend cottage cheese because of its overall nutritional value including protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and vitamin B12. I enjoy snacking on Breakstone’s Cottage Cheese 4-Packs, which are single-serve on-the-go cups of cottage cheese are ideal for an easy snack at 12g of protein per serving. I top it with berries or melon cubes, and nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans or pistachios.
