High Protein Snack
On a recent visit to a friends house, we were chatting in her kitchen when her 8 year old walked to the fridge and pulled out a container of cottage cheese.
“Put that back, it’s almost time for dinner” she told him.
“Awe man!” and the eight year old walked away disappointed.
“Interesting,” I thought to myself. I would never see my kids disappointed about not getting to eat some cottage cheese. In fact the only place any of us eat cottage cheese is mixed in with our lasagna. But cottage cheese is a great source of protein and a low-fat source of dairy. It’s a fabulous snack mixed with fruit or yogurt. There are lot’s of kids and babies that do like cottage cheese, just not mine and that is my fault. We usually even have it in the fridge because I make lasagna so often. So I dished out some for the kids to try, and they spit it out. It’s a texture thing for them I’m guessing. I really believe with this one, the earlier you start the more likely they’ll like it. And it didn’t help that when the kids asked what they were eating, I told them it was like “lumpy yogurt.” I guess that was not an appetizing spin. Maybe for your kids try it if you rename it, “Curdz and whey”.
I do like cottage cheese mixed with yogurt (from my ‘Body for Life’ days), or with fruit. You can also use it as a dip for whole-grain crackers with a little salt and lemon juice, or sprinkle it on some plain pasta while still warm..it gets cheesy and it’s pretty good!
Cottage Cheese and Mixed Fruit
Ingredients
- 1 medium tangerine (mandarin orange)
- 2 medium kiwi
- 1 cup pineapple
- 2 cup cottage cheese
Instructions
- Peel tangerine and divide into sections. Peel kiwi and pineapple, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Divide cottage cheese among four cups or bowls, and top with mixed fruit.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
www.superhealthykids.com
Natalie Monson
I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.
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Amy,
You are 100% right about this one! I grew up with cottage cheese on the table at every dinner time. It was a normal part of my home life and eating routine. So, it was only natural to feed it to my kids. My 5 love it and want it so much I have to control the amount they eat or they’d just become cheese heads! I’ve not met many folks who take a liking to it later in life. But I hope you will and your kids will follow suit!
Blessings,
Merry
My mom used to give it to us with pineapple and mandarin oranges on top.
I grew up eating cottage cheese all the time. I love to eat with summer tomatoes or pineapple. My oldest will eat it if we have it around. Cottage cheese was a food that I ate a lot everytime I was pregnant for the protein.
Now I want some. I may have to make an extra run to the grocery store.
I knew it from the beginning! So all you new mom’s, don’t put off feeding your kids cottage cheese from the beginning. And Merry, I’d say, “let them turn into cheese heads, except that cottage cheese isn’t that cheap anymore.” Tami, I was the same way when I was pregnant.. protein cravings all the time. But I hate a lot of cheese and eggs and it all landed on my backside. Cottage cheese would have been a much better alternative. And thanks for all your comments Emily, do you give it to your kids? Crushed pineapple mixed with cottage cheese would probably be pretty good too.
I love cottage cheese. I eat it plain or with fresh fruit with a sprinkle of Wheat Germ. My husband and son think it’s GROSS and can’t imagine why I eat it. It’s really good with fresh pineapple.
Robin
Amy- yes I do give it to my kids. From the moment my two year old wakes up, she follows me around asking for cheese, and cottage cheese totally counts. At my in-laws, they always have cottage cheese with dinner (they are a dairy family), so I know there will always be something my kids will eat. Sadly, they don’t appreciate the cottage cheese pineapple combo. They like it STRAIGHT.
Its true – cottage cheese is the only food my two year old has ever spit out, however we just keep making him try it. He is absolutely obsessed with blueberries so we do cottage cheese and blueberries and he will eat spoonfuls of the cottage cheese to get the berries. I grew up eating it with canned peaches and pears but have since been introduced to the most heavenly way to eat it – Cottage Cheese and Avocado sandwich on toasted wheat bread. just add Salt and Pepper and its truly divine. We call it the “Rachel” b/c my friend Rachel invented it. You should try it!
Robin, great idea with the wheat germ. I can see why your husband thinks it’s gross, but I’d give it a try. Emily, I wish I liked cottage cheese enough to eat it straight. You are going to have some healthy kids. Sarah, thanks for commenting, I’m glad I’m not the only one with children that won’t eat it…but I will try the ‘Rachel’, avocado with anything is pretty great!