Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is one of the most famous and useful fermented milk products. In addition to the taste for which it is famous, cottage cheese has many healing properties for the body.
According to historical evidence, cottage cheese was already known in Ancient Rome. In Russia, it was traditionally obtained from curdled milk - ordinary sour milk, which was placed in a preheated oven in a clay pot, after which the curdled curdled milk was poured into a linen bag so that the resulting whey glass. After that, the curd was put under a press so that the whey was completely separated and a sufficiently dense mass was formed. Similarly, cottage cheese is prepared at home today.
According to the fat content, cottage cheese is usually divided into:
- Bold (18% or more);
- Bold (dietary soft, 9%);
- Low-fat (up to 3%).
Cottage cheese is also distinguished by the method of coagulation of milk proteins. It happens:
- Acidic, usually made from skim milk. In this case, the protein is folded under the action of lactic acid, which is formed during lactic acid fermentation;
- Acid-rennet, prepared with the simultaneous use of lactic acid bacteria starter culture and rennet.
Curd composition
The nutritional value of cottage cheese is higher than that of milk, since usually about 200 g of cottage cheese can be prepared from 500 g of milk. In addition, the nutritional value of cottage cheese depends on its fat content. So, it contains:
- Fatty contains 15 g of proteins, 18 g of fats, 2.8 g of carbohydrates;
- In bold - 18 g of proteins, 9 g of fat, 3 g of carbohydrates;
- Low-fat contains 22 g of proteins, 0.6 g of fat, 3.3 g of carbohydrates.
The curd contains:
- Vitamins - A, D, C and B vitamins;
- Minerals - iron, calcium, phosphorus;
- Lactose (milk sugar);
- Enzymes.
Calorie content of cottage cheese
The calorie content of cottage cheese depends on its fat content. So, low-fat cottage cheese 0.6% contains 110-120 kcal, bold 9% - 169 kcal, fat 18% - 236 kcal.
The most beneficial for health is cottage cheese, which is low in calories and fat. Also, depending on the calorie content, cottage cheese is used both for diets and nutrition of athletes, and for preparing various dishes.
Useful properties of cottage cheese
Curd is an irreplaceable product for a healthy and nutritious diet. The useful properties of cottage cheese are due to the technology of its preparation, as a result of which two valuable components are released from it - milk fat and easily digestible milk protein. Milk protein (casein) has a high nutritional value and can replace animal proteins.
One of the useful properties of cottage cheese is the amino acids it contains, which are necessary for the prevention of liver diseases.
Cottage cheese is rich in phosphorus and calcium, without which the proper formation of bones and skeletal system is impossible. These minerals are especially needed:
- With fractures;
- Children during the growth of teeth and bones;
- With hypertension and heart disease;
- With rickets;
- With kidney disease;
- Pregnant women;
- To old people.
Another useful property of cottage cheese is due to the lactic acid bacteria included in its composition, which improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and also normalize intestinal motility.
The benefits of cottage cheese
The benefits of cottage cheese as a source of calcium, amino acids and vitamins for children and the elderly have been proven. In addition, cottage cheese contributes to the normalization of the nervous system, an increase in the level of hemoglobin in the blood and can be used as a prophylactic agent for metabolic diseases. In baby food, the benefits of cottage cheese are noted when used as part of diets in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, liver, digestive system, lungs and cardiovascular system.
The benefits of cottage cheese have also been proven:
- To increase the production of growth hormone. Back in the 70s of the last century, it was found that the use of proteins increases the level of growth hormone;
- For weight loss. Many studies show that cottage cheese and other milk proteins are effective in burning fat;
- To increase muscle mass. The amino acids in cottage cheese, which help build muscle and other tissues, are preferred over other protein sources for muscle building. In addition, cottage cheese is rich in calcium, which contributes to an increase in testosterone levels, and, as a result, to rapid muscle growth;
- As a prevention of atherosclerosis, since curd contains calcium and phosphorus salts, as well as methionine and choline.
Storage conditions for cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a perishable product. It must be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 2-3 days. Also, to prevent deterioration, it should not be stored in plastic bags. The best way to store curd is enamel or glassware.
It is recommended to freeze homemade cottage cheese for long-term storage. In this case, it does not lose its beneficial properties, although the taste becomes somewhat lower.
Application of cottage cheese
As a source of easily digestible protein and calcium, it is recommended to eat cottage cheese daily up to 200 g.
Also, many nutritionists advise including it in various diets for weight loss:
- 400 to 600 g fat-free cottage cheese with 60 g sour cream, divided into four meals. In addition, during the day you can drink up to 100 ml of coffee or tea with milk and up to 2 glasses of rosehip broth;
- Three times a day, 100 g of low-fat 0.6% cottage cheese and 900 g of kefir, divided into six doses.
Eating cottage cheese before bed is a popular practice among bodybuilders and strength athletes. It is believed that during sleep, muscles recover and grow, and cottage cheese is a catalyst for these processes. Of course, in these cases, low-calorie fat-free cottage cheese should be preferred.
Cottage cheese has long been used in folk medicine in the treatment of strokes, bruises, and tumors. It is used for compresses, which are prepared from 2 tbsp. spoons of natural cottage cheese with 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey. When treating burns, slightly warm cottage cheese should be applied up to three times a day to the burned area.
In addition, cottage cheese is also used for cosmetic purposes in the preparation of various creams and masks for the face and body.
With different calorie content, cottage cheese is widely used by chefs all over the world. Many different desserts are prepared from it - cheesecakes, soufflés, curds, casseroles, muffins, cakes, cheesecakes and many other dishes.
The harm of cottage cheese
Cottage cheese does not harm in cases where you eat low-fat types with low calorie content. It is also necessary to carefully observe the recommended storage conditions and you should not eat cottage cheese that is stored for more than 2-3 days from the date of preparation.
Cottage cheese is considered a healthy product suitable for almost everyone. Cottage cheese can be harmful only in cases of individual intolerance to fermented milk products, as well as if it is eaten in excessive quantities.
Damage from cottage cheese can also occur with the regular use of a "curd product" that has been added with starch and other third-party ingredients to increase calorie content and shelf life.
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