7 Healthiest Cottage Cheese Brands—and 4 To Skip

Cottage cheese is having a serious moment right now. From cottage cheese ice cream to cottage cheese toast rivaling avocado toast, this protein powerhouse is finally getting the attention it deserves. To make the most of these creative cottage cheese recipes, you need to know the best cottage cheese brands available.

We asked registered dietitians to share their top picks for cottage cheese brands currently on the market and which ones to avoid. Keep reading to find out their recommendations, then check out these 8 Surprising Effects of Cottage Cheese.

What Is Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese curd product with a mild flavor and creamy texture. It is made by adding a starter culture to milk, causing it to curdle. The curds are then cut into small pieces and gently heated, allowing them to firm up and release whey. Then, the curds are drained, and a small amount of cream or milk is added to give it a creamy texture. Unlike aged cheeses, cottage cheese is ready to eat right away, making it a fresh and versatile option in the dairy aisle.

"It's super versatile. You can mix it into a protein smoothie, make pancakes with it, spread it on toast, enjoy it as is, and so much more," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CPT, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Shaped by Charlotte, LLC.

Nutritional Benefits of Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is loaded with important vitamins and nutrients, such as B-complex vitamins, like vitamin B12 and calcium. It's also an excellent source of protein, containing nearly 25 grams of protein in 1 cup.

"Cottage cheese is one of the most underrated protein sources out there," says Martin. "The majority of protein in cottage cheese is casein protein, as opposed to whey, which is slowly absorbed and helps prevent muscle breakdown." Plus, some cottage cheese brands may even contain probiotics, "good" bacteria that support gut health.

According to the USDA, a single cup of small curd cottage cheese contains:

In addition to providing hearty protein for under 250 calories, a cup of cottage cheese also contains the following micronutrients:

• 187 milligrams of calcium (14% DV)
• 358 milligrams of phosphorous (29% DV)
• 0.9 milligrams of zinc (9% DV)
• 21.8 micrograms of selenium (40% DV)
• 27 micrograms of folate (7% DV)

How We Chose the Best Cottage Cheese Brands

Finding the right cottage cheese can be tricky because the nutritional value and ingredients vary among brands. Some can be high in calories and sodium, making it essential to read labels carefully. "Finding the right cottage cheese can be difficult. I believe it comes down to personal preference and what your health goals are," says Amber Pankonin MS, RD, LMNT, registered dietitian and owner of Stirlist.

Here are some nutritional criteria we followed to select the healthiest cottage cheeses.

• Low sodium: Be mindful of sodium content, especially if you have high blood pressure. "Most cottage cheese brands are high in sodium," explains Martin. Look for "reduced sodium" or "no salt added" options.

• Minimal but high-quality ingredients: "[The best cottage cheese] should contain minimal ingredients, and it should be made with quality dairy," says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN.

• Low or no added sugars: Cottage cheese now comes in flavored varieties, which can be fun to try. However, if possible, minimize added sugar and opt for fresh fruit instead.

Cottage cheese comes in low-fat, non-fat, and full-fat options. Caroline Young, MS, RD, LD, RYT, owner of Whole Self Nutrition, owner of Whole Self Nutrition, recommends full-fat cottage cheese "because it is the most satisfying due to its higher fat content, and it usually tastes a heck of a lot better!" However, if you're looking to keep calories to a minimum, low-fat cottage cheese is a low-calorie, high-protein option.

Ultimately, choose a cottage cheese with quality ingredients and flavors you love.

Read on to learn about what our dietitians consider to be the best (and worst) cottage cheese brands on the market. Then, check out The 15 Healthiest Yogurts on Grocery Shelves.

The 7 Best Cottage Cheese Brands You Can Buy

Best: Good Culture Low-Fat Cottage Cheese

"I like that Good Culture's cottage cheese is low in sugar and comes in a plain flavor plus a fruit flavor that helps to jazz up 'plain old cottage cheese'," says Maggie Michalczyk, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist who runs the blog Once Upon a Pumpkin. "And I like that they are pre-portioned–great for taking on the go."

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Best: Daisy Cottage Cheese 4% Milkfat

"I think the flavor of Daisy Cottage Cheese is great and I like this one because I can find it at most grocery stores for a reasonable price," says Pankonin.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

 The 17 Best Low-Sugar Yogurts on Grocery Shelves

Best: Cabot Cottage Cheese

"Cabot's Cottage Cheese is [a] favorite of mine," Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a northern Virginia-based dietitian, tells Eat This, Not That! "Their homemade-style product delivers a delicious and nutritious option that pairs well as a snack or side dish to your meal."

Best: Friendship 4% California Style Cottage Cheese

The 4% Cottage Cheese from Friendship Dairies is an excellent choice when you want a healthier cottage cheese. Made "California style," meaning its cheese curds are smaller, this cottage cheese uses a simple list of ingredients like nonfat milk, milk, cream, salt, and enzymes.

Best: Nancy's Organic Whole Milk Cottage Cheese

"Nancy's Probiotic Cottage Cheese is made with minimal ingredients, free of artificial ones, and is free of pectins, gelatins or thickeners (which aren't known to cause harm but may be problematic for some individuals)," says Martin. "Plus, they've added strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, probiotics which may help support immune and digestive health."

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Best: 365 Organic Cottage Cheese 4% Milkfat

"I think a little higher milk fat can be very satisfying when it comes to picking the right cottage cheese. This one has great flavor, and it's also much cheaper compared to other options," says Pankonin.

Young, is also a big fan of Whole Foods' whole-fat cottage cheese. "I love 365 Whole Foods' Cottage Cheese Full-Fat variety because it is highly satiating and delicious," she says.

Best: Kroger's Whipped Cottage Cheese

"I love recommending Kroger's Whipped Cottage Cheese," says Thomason. "It's a fun way to play with the viral cottage cheese trend and is easily spreadable for some high-protein toast. One half-cup serving delivers a hefty dose of 14 grams of protein."

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The 4 Worst Cottage Cheeses

Worst: Breakstone 2% Cottage Cheese

"Breakstone's ingredient list is much longer than those listed above and contains ingredients that seem unnecessary (although harmless) to make a good-tasting cottage cheese," says Martin.

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Worst: Hood Cottage Cheese

"Like Breakstone, Hood's Cottage Cheese's ingredient list is long, and many of the ingredients seem unnecessary, considering many tasty brands don't include them," says Martin. For example, I'm no food scientist, but I'm not sure why a plain cottage cheese would need to include natural flavor. I'm not saying natural flavors are a harmful ingredient; they just seem unnecessary in this case!"

Worst: That's Smart Low-Fat Cottage Cheese 1% Milkfat

"Even though this low-fat cottage cheese is low in calories, I just don't find it very satisfying," says Pankonin. "It's a little higher in sodium compared to the others, and personally, I prefer a little more fat as I find that more satisfying while snacking."

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Worst: Organic Valley Lowfat Cottage Cheese 2% Milkfat

"Even though it's lower in fat and higher in protein compared to similar products, this brand does contain 450 milligrams of sodium, which is a little higher than I would recommend," says Pankonin.