Cottage cheese is said to have a wide range of health benefits and has an almost cult-like following in the fitness industry because of the protein it packs. It’s more the protein component than the taste that makes it so popular. Some people would go as far as describing the taste and texture as disgusting. It’s the potential health benefits that make this cheese curd product so appealing. In this cottage cheese probiotic article, let’s talk about the potential gut health probiotic benefits of this food product within a question-and-answer format.
What is the history of cottage cheese?
The origins of cottage cheese are in fact quite gruesome. It won’t build confidence for those who already find the thought of eating cottage cheese nauseating!
In Homer’s famous poem The Odyssey, the ancient Greek author and poet described how the son of Poseidon and Thoosa created Greek cottage cheese. He wrote that they stored milk in an animal stomach and let the digestive enzymes separate the curds from the milk. It’s unclear what the next steps were to retrieve those curds, but feel free to use your own imagination.
Thankfully, in the modern era, your local Walmart does not use this ancient Greek method to make cottage cheese. I’ll talk about some low-cost cottage cheese brands available in stores later on, but first, let’s take a look at how to make your own.
How do you make probiotic cottage cheese?
While you can make your own cottage cheese at home, keep in mind it isn’t exactly a quick or easy process. You will need a few hours, one thermometer, some liquid rennet, and a Starter probiotic cheese-making culture. Then, follow these steps:
Step 1.
Heat the 1 gallon of milk to 86F. Use a thermometer to ensure you get the exact temperature.
Step 2.
Once at 86F, sprinkle in the starter probiotic culture.
Step 3.
Decrease the heat. Then, add in the liquid rennet.
Step 4.
Cut the now coagulated curds, and stir the mixture.
Step 5.
Cook the curds to 110F (slowly increase the temperature) for up to one hour.
Step 6.
Drain the cottage cheese curds in a colander. Next, chill in the freezer.
Your freshly-made cottage cheese can now be eaten plain, in breakfast bowls, on toast with avocados, on pizza, or in a delicious sandwich. The choice is yours!
What brands of cottage cheese have probiotics?
For most busy adults, buying a ready-made brand of cottage cheese is much easier and faster than making their own. Below are some of the best probiotic cheese brands containing billions of good probiotic bacteria that may have health benefits for your digestive health. They are commonly available in US stores.
1. Breakstone Cottage Cheese
This brand of 2% low-fat cottage cheese is $2.86 and packed with 10g of protein. Breakstone has billions of gut-loving lactobacillus probiotic bacteria.
2. Nancy’s Cottage Cheese
It is gluten-free and has 4 strains of probiotic cultures. These include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which have been scientifically studied to show various benefits for some people.
3. Good Culture Cottage Cheese
Good culture is thick, creamy, and can be bought at Target for $1.49. It has billions of live Lactobacillus Paracasei cultures hence the reason for the Good Culture brand name.
What are cottage cheese probiotic strains?
Cottage cheese is high in Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria and, according to Healthline, these probiotic strains may provide various health benefits. Potential perks include reducing cholesterol, diminishing IBS symptoms, helping with weight loss, and treating or preventing vaginal infections in some people.
Some scientific studies of the probiotic strains inside cottage cheese provide evidence to back up these claims. But, it’s important to remember to always consult a doctor for any medical issues and absolutely never use this food as a replacement for prescribed medication. Your doctor will advise you on how best to change your eating plan if that’s what you are interested in doing soon.
It is, however, clear to see why cottage cheese is good for your stomach – it’s because of the billions of probiotic bacteria in it! The results won’t come overnight and don’t happen for everyone, but certain people report digestive benefits online after eating cottage for about a month.
What if you are lactose intolerant?
If you are lactose intolerant, eating cottage cheese may cause side effects, such as bloating, diarrhea, and more. The vegan alternatives of cottage cheese simply won’t provide the same probiotic benefits as animal dairy.
The best alternative for vegans might be to try a probiotic supplement. One good option is complete probiotics platinum which has many of the same Lactobacillus strains that cottage cheese has, but of course without the dairy content.
Final thoughts: Is cottage cheese good for your stomach?
So, there you have it! Cottage cheese isn’t just a protein solution for bulky bodybuilders; it can also be a probiotic powerhouse that is great for your stomach. It’s important to remember that cottage cheese won’t be enough alone to help with whatever issue you are dealing with if you are eating processed sugary junk foods.
Cottage cheese can be part of a well-rounded healthy diet and lifestyle for those who want to level up their gut health. As for those who have dairy allergies or prefer an alternative, supplementation with probiotic capsules might be a better solution. Are you going to try probiotic cottage cheese soon?
I have been learning about different foods and gut health lately. This is good information. Thank you.
That’s great you’re learning about that. All the best to you xx