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You don’t hear much about cottage cheese. You can’t find it in the cheese counter and you can’t serve it in a cheese platter. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything wrong with it. In fact, cottage cheese is something you shouldn’t pass by in the dairy section of your supermarket.
This soft cheese is actually very good for you, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. It is one of the healthiest cheeses you can eat. Cottage cheese is a great source of calcium, and provides protein and the essential nutrients your body needs.
Cottage cheese is made by separating solid curds from liquid whey by using enzymes. You can buy nonfat, low-fat or whole fat cottage cheese depending on the milk type. Or you can DIY your own. While low-fat is better for people with high cholesterol, whole fat has a higher content of protein and is more filling. You can also buy cottage cheese that is mixed with fruit, honey, or olives for a healthy snack or light lunch. Here are five healthy reasons why you should add cottage cheese to your diet.
Nutrient Rich
Cottage cheese is very nutrient rich which can help support your overall health, according to mindbodygreen. Just one cup contains 23.6 grams of protein, a whopping 251 mg of calcium, 282 mg of potassium, and 20.3 grams of magnesium. Cottage cheese can also give you an energy boost because it is high in B vitamins which helps your body convert food into energy as well as maintaining healthy brain cells.
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Supports Healthy Bones
Cottage cheese supports healthy bones due to its high calcium content which can also help to prevent osteoporosis which can lead to low bone density and broken bones, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The cheese is also high in phosphorus which is essential for bone development and strength as well as protein which helps maintain bone density.
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Supports Healthy Bones
Cottage cheese supports healthy bones due to its high calcium content which can also help to prevent osteoporosis which can lead to low bone density and broken bones, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The cheese is also high in phosphorus which is essential for bone development and strength as well as protein which helps maintain bone density.
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Good for Your Gut
The curdling process or fermentation that is used to make cottage cheese contains good bacteria, also known as probiotics, which is crucial to good gut health. But not all cottage cheese is created equal. Check to see if the brand contains live and active cultures.
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Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels
Plain cottage cheese is low in carbs so it is good for diabetics and the slow-digesting casein protein helps to prevent blood sugar spikes after eating. According to a 2019 review of studies published in the journal Nutrients, dairy products can decrease insulin resistance. That is when the cells in your body cannot respond to insulin to remove glucose from your blood, causing you pancreas to keep making more insulin.
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