Many people avoid eating dairy on their diet because they fear it will make them gain weight. If smart selections are made however this is the farthest thing from the truth. In fact, studies have shown that those who consume dairy on a daily basis show greater success at fat loss. Therefore you should definitely be eating up.

Cottage cheese in particular is one of the best dairy products to eat because it is high in a type of protein called casein. Casein protein is slow releasing and therefore helps to ensure that your muscles are getting a steady supply of amino acids. It is a great snack to have before bed and has been used my many body builders for years because it is both high in protein and low in fat.

Unfortunately the taste and texture of cottage cheese is a big turn off for quite a few people. If you are creative however, there are a number of few different ways that you can add cottage cheese into your diet. So have a look over the following suggestions and try and find one that might appeal to you.

Cottage Cheese On A Potato

Over top of a hot baked potato, place ½ cup cottage cheese, fresh herbs such as oregano, basil, chives or dill, and then a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Avocado Salad

Avocado's are a great source of healthy fats so adding this dish to your diet is a very smart decision.

1 cup chopped cooked green beans

1 cup kidney beans

1 cup chopped avocado

1 cup cottage cheese

1 tbsp lemon juice

Sprinkle of salt and pepper

Mix together and serve.

Tuna Salad

This is a great high protein, quick and easy lunch to take with you to the office.

1 can of tuna

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup copped tomatoes

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup pasta

1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Mix cottage cheese and tuna in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or so until flavours are combined. Add cooked pasta, olive oil and tomatoes and stir together. Finally sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Cheesy Pasta

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup low fat grated cheddar cheese

¼-1/2 cup milk

½ cup chopped onions

2 cups cooked pasta

½ clove chopped garlic

In a small saucepan, combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese and enough milk to make a sauce consistence. Add in onions and garlic, stir and then serve over cooked pasta.

Yogurt-Cheese

To mask the taste of cottage cheese, try mixing one part of your favourite yogurt with another part of cottage cheese. Add a little chopped fruit over top and serve. To make a complete meal sprinkle some sliced almonds over top.

So, next time you're looking for a new way to help make this high-protein dairy product more tasty, consider any one of these options. It really is a quality food in terms of nutritional value so making the extra effort to incorporate it into your diet as much as possible is well worth your time.