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If there’s one dairy product on top of everyone’s mind right now, it’s cottage cheese. Fromice creamtowhipped dips, cottage cheese is being used in every possible way—and we couldn’t be more excited. Not only is the spoonable dairy product delicious, but the curds are packed with protein, making it a healthy choice, too. To help you jump on this tasty trend, we put a dozen products to the test to find the very best cottage cheese.
For this test, we set nutrition parameters that reflectedEatingWell’sparameters for a healthy side dish. Each product had to meet the following nutrition requirements: 250 calories or less, 360 milligrams or less of sodium and 5 grams or less of added sugar per serving.Jessica Ball, M.S., RD,EatingWell’snutrition editor, explains, “Limiting the sodium to 360 milligrams per serving allows you to enjoy the flavor while aligning with theAmerican Heart Association’srecommendations of consuming, at most, 2,300 milligrams sodium per day.”
After narrowing the field, we blind-tasted a dozen cottage cheese products. Keep reading to get all of our recommendations for the best cottage cheese.
Our Product Recommendations
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Best Overall Cottage Cheese: Good Culture Double Cream Classic Cottage Cheese
Courtesy of Brand
Nutrition Info for Good Culture Double Cream Classic Cottage Cheese, per 1/2-cup serving
130 calories, 7 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 340 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 3 g total sugar (0 g added sugar), 14 g protein
02of 04Best Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: Good Culture Low-Fat Classic Cottage CheeseCourtesy of BrandAnother Good Culture favorite was the brand’s Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese. This one has 2% milkfat, and all of our testers thought the cottage cheese had a nice, salty flavor. From a textural standpoint, the creaminess of the curds stood out. They were small and had a nice squeak, but weren’t rubbery at all. The pleasant consistency was a key difference maker in the category, as other products tested had a gooey texture, according to our testers. This cottage cheese also has live and active cultures, so it contains probiotics.Nutrition Info for Good Culture Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese, per 1/2-cup serving80 calories, 2.5 g total fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 340 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 3 g total sugar (0 g added sugar), 14 g protein
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Best Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: Good Culture Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese
Another Good Culture favorite was the brand’s Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese. This one has 2% milkfat, and all of our testers thought the cottage cheese had a nice, salty flavor. From a textural standpoint, the creaminess of the curds stood out. They were small and had a nice squeak, but weren’t rubbery at all. The pleasant consistency was a key difference maker in the category, as other products tested had a gooey texture, according to our testers. This cottage cheese also has live and active cultures, so it contains probiotics.
Nutrition Info for Good Culture Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese, per 1/2-cup serving
80 calories, 2.5 g total fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 340 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 3 g total sugar (0 g added sugar), 14 g protein
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Courtesy of brand
120 calories, 7 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 340 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 2 g total sugar (0 g added sugar), 12 g protein
04of 04Best No-Salt-Added Cottage Cheese: Hood No Salt Added Low Fat Cottage CheeseCourtesy of BrandCottage cheese can be high in sodium, so Hood’s No Salt Added Low Fat Cottage Cheese is a great alternative if you’re looking to watch your salt intake. The curds have a nice squeak and texture to them, although the product is more liquidy than creamy. With a mild tang and subtle flavor, our testers thought this cottage cheese would be well-suited as an ingredient in other recipes—including sweet treats like cinnamon rolls or savory dishes likelasagnaormac and cheese. If you want to enjoy it as is, our testers suggested serving with fresh fruit. Hood’s availability in stores may differ, depending on your location.Nutrition Info for Hood No Salt Added Low Fat Cottage Cheese, per 1/2-cup serving90 calories, 1 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 60 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 5 g total sugar (0 g added sugar), 14 g protein
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Best No-Salt-Added Cottage Cheese: Hood No Salt Added Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese can be high in sodium, so Hood’s No Salt Added Low Fat Cottage Cheese is a great alternative if you’re looking to watch your salt intake. The curds have a nice squeak and texture to them, although the product is more liquidy than creamy. With a mild tang and subtle flavor, our testers thought this cottage cheese would be well-suited as an ingredient in other recipes—including sweet treats like cinnamon rolls or savory dishes likelasagnaormac and cheese. If you want to enjoy it as is, our testers suggested serving with fresh fruit. Hood’s availability in stores may differ, depending on your location.
Nutrition Info for Hood No Salt Added Low Fat Cottage Cheese, per 1/2-cup serving
90 calories, 1 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 60 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 5 g total sugar (0 g added sugar), 14 g protein
The Bottom Line: The Best Cottage CheeseIf you’re looking for a reliable product, Good Culture is an excellent choice for a low-fat cottage cheese or a double-cream cottage cheese. Or, if you’d rather buy a no-salt-added option, Hood’s offering is a tasty choice.Our TestAlex LohTo narrow the field, we researched and read the labels of more than 60 products, and selected the ones that fit the following nutrition requirements: 250 calories or less, no more than 360 mg of sodium and less than 5 g added sugar. We looked at a range of products, including low-fat, whole and flavored. None of the flavored cottage cheese fit our nutrition requirements, so we didn’t include any in our test. For the taste test, a blind tasting was set up with four testers. Each cottage cheese was eaten as is. Testers took notes regarding the taste, texture and appearance of each product and ranked their top choices.Nutrition ParametersFor our nutrition parameters, we analyzed the numbers of products in the category. Each cottage cheese met the following criteria: ≤250 calories and ≤360 mg sodium. For flavored cottage cheese, we also included a limit of 5 g added sugar. These parameters are aligned withEatingWell’sstandards for a healthy side dish.Our Trusted ExpertiseAlex Lohis the associate food editor atEatingWelland has more than three years of experience with the brand. She has tested hundreds of products, from foods like hot dogs, oat milk and canned tuna to kitchen tools like salad spinners and sheet pans. For this article, she consulted with a registered dietitian and nutrition editor atEatingWell,Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, for her insights about nutrition. The testers included a registered dietitian and food editors.Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, cottage cheese is healthy, and it’s an excellent source of protein. A1/2-cup serving of cottage cheesecontains about 12 g protein. “Cottage cheese is a great high-protein addition to any meal or snack,” says Ball. The dairy product is also a good source of calcium, with a 1/2-cup serving containing 125 mg. That’s about 12% of thedaily recommended intakefor adults aged 19 to 50. While cottage cheese has some great health benefits, there are a few factors to be mindful of that can impact nutrition.Cottage cheese can be high in sodium, with some products containing as much as 490 mg per ½-cup serving.Eating too much saltcan lead to bloating, headaches, high blood pressure and more. If you’re concerned about sodium intake, choosing a no-salt-added cottage cheese is a great choice (we recommend Hood’s product).In addition to sodium, you’ll want to be mindful of added sugars. While you won’t find a product with zero grams total sugar (the lactose in milk naturally contains sugar), it’s the added sugar content that can creep up, especially if you’re buying a flavored cottage cheese. Eating too much added sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Instead, we recommend buying a low-fat or whole-milk cottage cheese and topping it with fresh fruit. You’ll still get the fruity flavor but will eliminate unnecessary added sugars.Yes, you can eat cottage cheese every day—however, it’s important to eat a variety of foods on a regular basis to ensure that you aren’t missing out on any nutrients. While cottage cheese does contain protein and calcium, there are otherdelicious calcium-rich foodsyou can try incorporating into your diet, including sardines and strained yogurt like Greek-style and skyr. If you do want to eat cottage cheese regularly, be mindful of your sodium and potential added sugar intake.Cottage cheese may be good for gut health if it contains probiotics, but it depends on the product. Probiotics can help increase the good bacteria in your gut, which may lead to improved digestion. Look for cottage cheese labeled with “probiotics” or “live and active cultures” for a gut-friendly product, or try one ofthese foods to improve your gut health.
The Bottom Line: The Best Cottage Cheese
If you’re looking for a reliable product, Good Culture is an excellent choice for a low-fat cottage cheese or a double-cream cottage cheese. Or, if you’d rather buy a no-salt-added option, Hood’s offering is a tasty choice.
Our Test
Alex Loh
To narrow the field, we researched and read the labels of more than 60 products, and selected the ones that fit the following nutrition requirements: 250 calories or less, no more than 360 mg of sodium and less than 5 g added sugar. We looked at a range of products, including low-fat, whole and flavored. None of the flavored cottage cheese fit our nutrition requirements, so we didn’t include any in our test. For the taste test, a blind tasting was set up with four testers. Each cottage cheese was eaten as is. Testers took notes regarding the taste, texture and appearance of each product and ranked their top choices.
Nutrition Parameters
For our nutrition parameters, we analyzed the numbers of products in the category. Each cottage cheese met the following criteria: ≤250 calories and ≤360 mg sodium. For flavored cottage cheese, we also included a limit of 5 g added sugar. These parameters are aligned withEatingWell’sstandards for a healthy side dish.
Our Trusted Expertise
Alex Lohis the associate food editor atEatingWelland has more than three years of experience with the brand. She has tested hundreds of products, from foods like hot dogs, oat milk and canned tuna to kitchen tools like salad spinners and sheet pans. For this article, she consulted with a registered dietitian and nutrition editor atEatingWell,Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, for her insights about nutrition. The testers included a registered dietitian and food editors.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, cottage cheese is healthy, and it’s an excellent source of protein. A1/2-cup serving of cottage cheesecontains about 12 g protein. “Cottage cheese is a great high-protein addition to any meal or snack,” says Ball. The dairy product is also a good source of calcium, with a 1/2-cup serving containing 125 mg. That’s about 12% of thedaily recommended intakefor adults aged 19 to 50. While cottage cheese has some great health benefits, there are a few factors to be mindful of that can impact nutrition.Cottage cheese can be high in sodium, with some products containing as much as 490 mg per ½-cup serving.Eating too much saltcan lead to bloating, headaches, high blood pressure and more. If you’re concerned about sodium intake, choosing a no-salt-added cottage cheese is a great choice (we recommend Hood’s product).In addition to sodium, you’ll want to be mindful of added sugars. While you won’t find a product with zero grams total sugar (the lactose in milk naturally contains sugar), it’s the added sugar content that can creep up, especially if you’re buying a flavored cottage cheese. Eating too much added sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Instead, we recommend buying a low-fat or whole-milk cottage cheese and topping it with fresh fruit. You’ll still get the fruity flavor but will eliminate unnecessary added sugars.Yes, you can eat cottage cheese every day—however, it’s important to eat a variety of foods on a regular basis to ensure that you aren’t missing out on any nutrients. While cottage cheese does contain protein and calcium, there are otherdelicious calcium-rich foodsyou can try incorporating into your diet, including sardines and strained yogurt like Greek-style and skyr. If you do want to eat cottage cheese regularly, be mindful of your sodium and potential added sugar intake.Cottage cheese may be good for gut health if it contains probiotics, but it depends on the product. Probiotics can help increase the good bacteria in your gut, which may lead to improved digestion. Look for cottage cheese labeled with “probiotics” or “live and active cultures” for a gut-friendly product, or try one ofthese foods to improve your gut health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cottage cheese is healthy, and it’s an excellent source of protein. A1/2-cup serving of cottage cheesecontains about 12 g protein. “Cottage cheese is a great high-protein addition to any meal or snack,” says Ball. The dairy product is also a good source of calcium, with a 1/2-cup serving containing 125 mg. That’s about 12% of thedaily recommended intakefor adults aged 19 to 50. While cottage cheese has some great health benefits, there are a few factors to be mindful of that can impact nutrition.Cottage cheese can be high in sodium, with some products containing as much as 490 mg per ½-cup serving.Eating too much saltcan lead to bloating, headaches, high blood pressure and more. If you’re concerned about sodium intake, choosing a no-salt-added cottage cheese is a great choice (we recommend Hood’s product).In addition to sodium, you’ll want to be mindful of added sugars. While you won’t find a product with zero grams total sugar (the lactose in milk naturally contains sugar), it’s the added sugar content that can creep up, especially if you’re buying a flavored cottage cheese. Eating too much added sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Instead, we recommend buying a low-fat or whole-milk cottage cheese and topping it with fresh fruit. You’ll still get the fruity flavor but will eliminate unnecessary added sugars.
Yes, cottage cheese is healthy, and it’s an excellent source of protein. A1/2-cup serving of cottage cheesecontains about 12 g protein. “Cottage cheese is a great high-protein addition to any meal or snack,” says Ball. The dairy product is also a good source of calcium, with a 1/2-cup serving containing 125 mg. That’s about 12% of thedaily recommended intakefor adults aged 19 to 50. While cottage cheese has some great health benefits, there are a few factors to be mindful of that can impact nutrition.
Cottage cheese can be high in sodium, with some products containing as much as 490 mg per ½-cup serving.Eating too much saltcan lead to bloating, headaches, high blood pressure and more. If you’re concerned about sodium intake, choosing a no-salt-added cottage cheese is a great choice (we recommend Hood’s product).
In addition to sodium, you’ll want to be mindful of added sugars. While you won’t find a product with zero grams total sugar (the lactose in milk naturally contains sugar), it’s the added sugar content that can creep up, especially if you’re buying a flavored cottage cheese. Eating too much added sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Instead, we recommend buying a low-fat or whole-milk cottage cheese and topping it with fresh fruit. You’ll still get the fruity flavor but will eliminate unnecessary added sugars.
Yes, you can eat cottage cheese every day—however, it’s important to eat a variety of foods on a regular basis to ensure that you aren’t missing out on any nutrients. While cottage cheese does contain protein and calcium, there are otherdelicious calcium-rich foodsyou can try incorporating into your diet, including sardines and strained yogurt like Greek-style and skyr. If you do want to eat cottage cheese regularly, be mindful of your sodium and potential added sugar intake.
Cottage cheese may be good for gut health if it contains probiotics, but it depends on the product. Probiotics can help increase the good bacteria in your gut, which may lead to improved digestion. Look for cottage cheese labeled with “probiotics” or “live and active cultures” for a gut-friendly product, or try one ofthese foods to improve your gut health.
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