“Yes, cottage cheese is rich in protein, but it also contains calcium, vitamin B12 and other micronutrients,” says Dr Amati.

Vitamin B12 is important for brain function. Calcium is of course vital for bone and dental health, but cottage cheese is a good source of phosphorus, a mineral that helps in this area, and also contains the micronutrient riboflavin. It is good for your skin and eyes.

“Cottage cheese also contains a decent dose of selenium, an important nutrient and antioxidant,” says Amati. This is good news for everyone because antioxidants prevent and slow cell damage caused by free radicals (waste substances created when your body responds to stresses such as inflammation or pollution).

One cup (225 g) is likely to contain about 36 percent of the daily recommended intake of selenium, which is important for reproduction, thyroid gland function, DNA production and more.

Microbiome scientist, dietitian and author Dr. “Some brands of cottage cheese contain live cultures,” says Emily Leeming. Type Intestinal. “These live cultures can help keep your gut healthy by introducing new ‘good’ bacteria and yeasts to your gut. healthy microbiomeIt plays a very important role in digestion and general well-being. But not all brands contain this important ingredient: “That’s why it’s important to check the ‘live or active cultures’ label,” he says.

Yes, if you believe the bright young people touting “easy summer snacks that wear me out.” So is the science accumulating? Sort of. Protein is, of course, crucial for muscle growth because it helps repair and protect tissue. Because casein is a slow-release form, some bodybuilders eat cottage cheese before bed, aiming for a steady release of amino acids throughout the night and limiting muscle breakdown. However, a 2017 study They looked at the effect of eating slow or fast protein after exercise on muscle mass and strength and found no difference.

Comprehensive, “To build muscle, you must do resistance exercises And Consume enough protein,” says Amati. “Cottage cheese is a good source of protein, but unfortunately it won’t help you build muscle unless you work out hard.”

“Like other dairy products, cottage cheese contains calcium, which is important for supporting calcium. bone health“says Amati. However, hard cheeses contain much more. For example, one hundred grams of cottage cheese contains about 90 milligrams of calcium, while the same amount of parmesan can contain more than 900 milligrams of calcium.

On the other hand, fresh cheeses contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses. One hundred grams of cottage cheese contains about 3.5 grams of lactose; This is less than mascarpone (4.5 grams) but much more than cheddar (0.1 gram). “People who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products should avoid cottage cheese,” says Amati.

Unfortunately, it’s probably not all that sweet as some social media influencers suggest. “Since it does not contain cottage cheese fiber“Key to supporting a healthy gut microbiome, it’s a good idea to pair this protein with fibre-rich foods like fruits, whole grain crackers or seeds for a balanced gut health boost,” says Leeming.

Amati points to Zoe’s viral recipe for cottage cheese protein pancakes (see recipe section below), which mixes fiber, protein, and fat in the form of oats, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt, thus slowing the rate at which sugar is absorbed. smaller blood sugar spikes and longer satiety.

In fact, cottage cheese is one of the healthiest cheeses on the market, but all three experts agree that the obsessive food fad is not. Take the “mustard and cottage cheese” diet that has taken over TikTok, leading people to eat raw vegetables and sausages dipped in cottage cheese and mustard (no, really). While influencers claim it leads to weight loss, nutritionists have criticized it. They noted that cottage cheese is high in sodium and therefore should be eaten as part of a varied diet.

“Cottage cheese can form part of a healthy diet, but if you want more significant probiotic benefits I’d lean more towards aged hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan,” says Kalinik.

According to Amati, your best bet is not to follow trends but to focus on a varied diet full of plants while staying active. So if you like cottage cheese, eat it. But if you don’t, don’t panic. Greek yogurt may have less protein, but it also has more calcium, lower sodium levels and is a more reliable source of live probiotic bacteria. There are also fewer lumps.

Even if you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you won’t even notice it because these recipes are so full of flavor.

Protein pancakes with cottage cheese from Zoe