You might have heard of delicious, mild cottage cheese from your nutritionist or fitness trainer. This dairy product has a fresh and slightly sweet taste. It is also packed with proteins and vitamins, but low in carbohydrates. Some prefer it for dinner, while others mix cottage cheese with any meal throughout the day. Many agree that it cools down the appetite. Cottage cheese usually contains plenty of milk and an acidic substance, like vinegar or lime. When the two meet and react, cheese forms. The cheese has plenty of nutrients, together with vitamins A, B complex, D, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and many others as you’ll see below. (Below image by Enotovyj from Pixabay)  

How to Use the Right Cottage Cheese

There isn’t a common and successful recipe to the right cottage cheese for you. The above nutrients are found in all cottage cheese products. There are some slight differences between types of cheese. However, these are insignificant. All you need to do is find the healthiest cottage cheese and use it for your purpose:

•  Eating raw cheese: Regular, organic, low fat or fat free cheese.

•  Eating allergy-free cheese: Gluten or lactose free cheese.

•  Cooking with cheese: Tasty and creamy cheese for pancakes and lasagna.

7 Quick and Surprising Health Benefits of Cottage Cheese

1. Supports Weight Loss

Cottage cheese is popular among fitness enthusiasts, body builders and nutritionists. Since it’s rich in proteins, this cheese can make for an entire meal. If eaten before bed, it controls your appetite and prevents you from eating a lot in the morning. The cheese contains casein, which your body digests at a slow rate, compared with other dairy products. Moreover, the high satiety that you will feel comes with a low content of fats.

2. Improves Metabolism

Cottage cheese is rich in B-complex vitamins, including B-12. The B-complex works on your digestion, heart health, brain functions and metabolism. These are all backed-up by other components of cottage cheese, such as riboflavin, thiamin and folic acid. Moreover, a cup of cottage cheese provides you with 38% of the recommended B-12 vitamin daily intake. This vitamin helps your body produce energy and red blood cells.

3. Has Antioxidant Effects

Studies claim that selenium boosts your immune system and helps your body fight viruses and microbes. Selenium also increases the antioxidant protection of your blood. You can find 30% of the recommended daily dose of selenium in just one cup of cottage cheese. Furthermore, selenium protects your DNA from damage and allegedly reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

4. May Minimize Insulin Resistance

Cottage cheese is rich in calcium and vitamin D. Calcium may lower the risk of developing insulin resistance with 21% among diabetes sufferers, according to recent studies. Consequently, calcium also helps prevent heart disease. Also, the mix between calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus strengthens your bones and improves their resistance on long-term.

5. Enhances Vision

Around 4% of the recommended daily value of zinc is found in cottage cheese. Zinc works as an antioxidant and an active factor in improving ocular health and fighting infection. This mineral is also naturally active in the human eye. Zinc also helps with the functions of the digestive and immune systems. Therefore, it often provides relief from anxiety and stress. Also, it can be beneficial in counteracting night blindness if consumed daily.

6. Develops Your Muscles

Cottage cheese consumption maximizes growth hormone output, due to its low carbohydrates and rich protein content. A high growth hormone level can possibly lead to weight loss and muscle gain, according to some researchers. Many bodybuilders have included cottage cheese in their diet. Your body prevents an accumulation of excess hormones, due to the combination of carbohydrates and protein.

7. Helps Pregnant Women

Specialists recommend cottage cheese for pregnant women, thanks to its many nutrients. Pregnant women usually have calcium loss, and cottage cheese is a reliable source for that. The phosphorus from cottage cheese is a good nutrient for both pregnant women and unborn babies. The recommended daily amount of this creamy cheese for pregnant women is around 71 grams.

Cottage Cheese Wrap Up

You can enjoy the impressive health benefits of cottage cheese with daily consumption. However, please note that it can have a negative effect if you have dairy allergies or are lactose intolerant. Also, please verify the products you purchase, to avoid additional side effects. Milk that is not well pasteurized may lead to an uncomfortable bacterial contamination. Feel free to integrate this creamy cheese in salads, omelets, or as a fixing next to vegetables. You can control the level of cholesterol that your body ingests by choosing a cheese that contains low-fat milk. Enjoy your next meal and the surprising health benefits of cottage cheese! (Guest post provided by Kenneth Haynes)