Did you know...

That Cottage Cheese is good for you?

It’s one of the most filling “diet” foods you can eat, and it’s loaded with protein and calcium. It’s also extremely versatile, and can serve as a healthy cheese substitute in all kinds of recipes, from dips to enchiladas to lasagna.

My mom will argue that dairy isn't good for you in the first place- however in terms of calories and fat, it’s one of the lowest fat dairy or cheese products you can eat. And because it’s high in protein, it’s an ideal food for people who are trying to add muscle and minimize body fat.

The only downside to cottage cheese is that it is fairly high in sodium. Depending on the brand, a single 113 gram serving has about 16% of your daily recommended intake of sodium, so if you are watching your sodium intake, you may want to opt for one of the lower sodium brands on the market or moderate your consumption.

Because cottage cheese is made up primarily of slow-digesting casein protein and has very few carbohydrates, it’s an excellent evening or late-night snack. The slow digesting proteins can keep your amino acid levels up during the night, which discourages muscle breakdown during your eight hour sleep “fast.” And because of the high protein content, cottage cheese is very filling.

• Spoon onto tomato slices and drizzle with vinaigrette.

• Swirl with jelly or jam and spread on toast.

• Serve over fresh greens.

• Use as a simple topping for cooked pasta or baked potatoes.

• Sprinkle with granola and drizzle with honey.

• Bake into your favorite lasagna in place of ricotta.

• Use as a filling for blintzes and crepes.

My personal favorite: Cottage cheese on top of Ritz crackers, sprinkled with seasonall. :)