Don’t Miss Protein During These 3 Critical Times

Over the course of 20 years, I have learned a lot from working with clients and have seen several trends. One of the most common is that people just don’t get enough protein at three critical times of the day. Whenever people think about getting in their protein they either translate that into drinking protein shakes by the gallon or having to devour meats wherever they can. However, have you ever thought about getting your protein from cottage cheese?

Long considered the uncool cousin of yogurt, cottage cheese is finally poised to make a comeback. Consumers are embracing cottage cheese again as a satiating way to boost protein intake. I have partnered with Green Valley Creamery, pioneers in lactose-free dairy products, to provide tips on how to include protein in a delicious way during these three critical times: breakfast, post-workout, and mid-afternoon snack.

I have found Green Valley Creamery’s Cottage Cheese to be a great option to add protein during these times meals and snacks as each serving provides 12g of protein. Green Valley Creamery’s lactose-free Cottage Cheese is made with simple, clean ingredients – organic milk, organic cream, Celtic sea salt, lactase enzyme, and live and active cultures. This new cottage cheese offers a rich, creamy taste and mild cultured flavor of real dairy to those who are lactose-intolerant and lactose-sensitive. For those who have trouble with lactose, Green Valley Creamery’s Cottage Cheese can bring real dairy back into their lives, enjoying its health benefits and great taste without digestive troubles. This is also an added bonus for those who simply have sensitive stomachs.

Here is how I love to include Green Valley Creamery’s Cottage Cheese:

I recommend including protein at breakfast to help you keep full until lunch time and to keep your metabolism going. Some delicious breakfast ideas using cottage cheese are a cottage cheese omelet, oatmeal with cottage cheese and blueberries and cottage cheese avocado toast.

People also often miss protein after their workouts. Green Valley Creamery’s Cottage Cheese is a source of branched chain amino acids, rich in vitamin and minerals and contains 12 g of protein needed to recover from exercise. The combination of high protein, low sugar, and satiating fat make it a healthy and restorative snack after a tough workout.

Try throwing some cottage cheese in your post-workout smoothie. I love making strawberries, cottage cheese and milk smoothies. You can use your milk of choice – lactose-free and soy are great options for a deliciously creamy smoothie.

Finally, for your mid-afternoon snack before dinner, I recommend including protein to control hunger and prevent you from overeating at dinnertime. This snack doesn’t have to be fancy. For example, simply try cottage cheese topped with walnuts with a touch of honey.

As you can see Green Valley Creamery’s Cottage Cheese is high in protein, delicious, versatile dairy product that can be enjoyed in numerous ways. You can use it in both sweet and savory dishes and recipes. Now it’s your turn to give Green Valley Creamery’s Cottage Cheese a try!  You can learn more by visiting their website at: greenvalleylactosefree.com.

Breakfast Ideas

Cottage Cheese Omelette

Serves 1

Serving size: 1 serving

Ingredients

3 large eggs, whisked

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup baby spinach

¼ cup cottage cheese

3 sliced cherry tomatoes

Directions

1. Season eggs with salt and pepper
2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat
3. Spray pan with cooking oil
4. Pour whisked eggs into pan
5. Add cottage cheese and baby spinach on top of eggs
6. Cook for 90 seconds or until eggs are no longer runny
7. Fold omelette in half and serve

Oatmeal with Cottage Cheese and Blueberries

Serves 1

Serving size: 1 serving

Ingredients

½ cup oatmeal

½ cup cottage cheese

1 handful of blueberries

Directions

1. Cook oatmeal according to package
2. Serve cooked oatmeal in a bowl
3. Top oatmeal with cottage cheese and blueberries

Cottage Cheese Avocado Toast

Serves 1

Serving size: 1 serving

Ingredients

1 piece whole wheat toast

½ avocado, mashed

¼ cup cottage cheese

Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Spread mashed avocados onto a piece of toast
2. Top it off with cottage cheese and season with pepper to taste

Post Workout Smoothie

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

Serves 1

Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients

½ cup strawberries, washed

½ cup cottage cheese

¼ cup milk of choice

Directions

1. Combine strawberries, cottage cheese and milk in a blender
2. Blend until smooth and serve

Afternoon Snack

Cottage Cheese Parfait

Serves 1

Serving Size: ½ cup

Ingredients

½ cup cottage cheese

1 tbsp cacao nibs

1 handful walnuts, sliced

1 dried fig, sliced

Directions

1. Add ¼ cup cottage cheese to jar
2. Layer with cacao nibs
3. Add remaining cottage cheese
4. Top off parfait with walnuts and figs

Disclaimer: Manuel Villacorta, M.S., R.D., is a spokesperson/ambassador for Green Valley Creamery and is paid for services which include, but not limited to, photography, videography, recipe development, social media promotion and online contributions.
– “I only represent companies that I truly believe in their mission and love their products. I use them often myself as they are the best, nutritionally foods available. All the opinions expressed this article or video are my own” – Manuel Villacorta.