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.

“Aw man!” and the 8 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 canned peaches. 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 get’s cheesy and it’s pretty good.