What’s old is once again new. Way back in the 1980s, cottage cheese was among the most popular snacks among the diet-conscious, gym-rat bunch. It turns out they knew what they were doing. Cottage cheese is the new health food trend sweeping the nation for multiple good-for-you reasons.
What makes this dairy product such an excellent tool for those seeking to lose weight and improve their gym performance and overall health? It has multiple properties that make it a wise choice for your lunchtime plate. Here are five reasons why cottage cheese is the new health food trend and how to add it to your diet today.
1. It’s Fermented
Fermentation is a downright ancient method of food preservation, and dairy was among the first foods kept this way as camel traders crossed hot deserts. What makes fermentation so healthy? Check out these fabulous gut and full-body benefits:
- Adds good bacteria to your gut – Fermented foods become that way through the action of beneficial bacteria. These are the same varieties found in your intestines that serve as your body’s workhorses. However, they deplete with time, age, antibiotic and alcohol use — eating fermented foods replenishes your stash.
- Aids digestion – You need a healthy intestinal microbiome or colonies of these beneficial bacteria, to digest.
- Improves nutrient availability – Some natural compounds like phytic acid prevent full nutrient absorption of some foods. Fermentation breaks down these compounds, making it easier for your body to access and use these vitamins and minerals.
When you ferment dairy products like cottage cheese, you break down the lactic acid, making them easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest. That’s why some folks who can’t drink milk have little problem with cheese or yogurt.
2. It’s Good For Bone Health
You need adequate calcium intake to maintain healthy bones. It becomes increasingly vital with age, especially among women, as they’re more prone to osteoporosis or weakening of bone structure leading to more frequent fractures. Dairy products are among your best sources of this necessary nutrient.
However, your body can’t use calcium without vitamin D. You can get this nutrient from adequate sunlight exposure, although there isn’t enough above the 37th parallel in winter. Therefore, you need to supplement through food. Animal products, including cottage cheese, contain some of this nutrient. Cottage cheese is unique in that manufacturers can fortify it to increase the dose, which is helpful during the year’s shortest months.
3. It Speeds Workout Recovery
Cottage cheese is also a rich source of vitamin B12 and selenium, two nutrients that spur workout recovery. Vitamin B12 has a longstanding reputation for increasing your energy levels, helpful if a tough exercise session leaves you drained. It also helps prevent a type of anemia that can leave you tired and weak.
Selenium is a vital mineral for helping the body recover from free radicals produced by intense exercise or other stressors like infections. Furthermore, it’s also crucial for brain health, working with zinc and magnesium to improve your overall mood — making you look forward to your next sweat session.
4. It’s Low-Calorie And Low-Carb
When you think of low-calorie foods, cheese doesn’t typically make the list. Many hard cheeses have more than 100 calories per ounce. In comparison, a full half cup of cottage cheese contains only 110 calories, so you get a lot more filling bang for your buck.
Furthermore, 70% of the calories in cottage cheese come from protein. It contains only three grams of carbs, making it ideal for people doing keto or another low-carb diet.
Adding Cottage Cheese To Your Diet
How can you add cottage cheese to your diet? Try these fun ideas:
- Eat it plain – You can eat cottage cheese right from the container, although you might want to use a bowl if you share it with other family members.
- Mix it with fruit – Cottage cheese and fruit make a divine summer salad.
- Smoothies: Use it in place of milk or yogurt.
- Toast and sandwiches – Cottage cheese’s creamy texture makes it a perfect spread for breakfast toast and jam or as an alternative to mayonnaise in sandwiches and wraps.
- Parfait – Blend cottage cheese with granola to add extra protein.
- Lasagne – Substitute lower-calorie cottage cheese for ricotta.
Why Cottage Cheese Is The New Health Food Trend
Once upon a time, cottage cheese held the throne of fame among the fit crowd. Its place in the sun has returned. Cottage cheese is the new health food trend sweeping the nation.
You can benefit from more of this superfood in your diet. Consider all the reasons to eat more cottage cheese and get creative with your recipes today.
