7 Best Low-Sodium Cottage Cheese Brands
It can be really difficult to escape sodium in our diets or reduce the amount of sodium we consume, as there is so much sodium in most foods.
One such food item that can contain quite a bit of sodium is cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is considered healthy and beneficial to add to your diet, but you do have to look for low-sodium cottage cheese if this is a dietary requirement of yours.
Which are the best low-sodium cottage cheese brands?
The best low-sodium cottage cheese brands will obviously have a lower sodium content compared to regular cottage cheese, but the cottage cheese should not taste lacking or be less flavorful!
Read on to find out more about the best low-sodium cottage cheese brands available, and why you should try these out!
Does Cottage Cheese Contain Salt?
Cottage cheese is known as a healthy addition to a diet, in any form it is used. However, as healthy as cottage cheese is, it does contain salt, and many brands can actually be quite high in sodium.
Sodium is actually quite an important addition to cottage cheese, which is why so many brands of cottage cheese contain quite an elevated sodium level.
Sodium, when added to cottage cheese, acts as a preservative, to extend the shelf life of cottage cheese, keeping it fresher for longer. The sodium keeps bacteria levels low, which in turn gives you more time to enjoy the cottage cheese.
The sodium also helps to add some flavor to the cottage cheese. It is already quite a flavorless food, so the salt really does enhance the overall flavor.
So the answer is yes, cottage cheese does contain salt, so if you are on a reduced sodium diet, you do need to be careful with the brand of cottage cheese you choose.
Is There Low Sodium Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese does contain sodium, which means that it is an ingredient that you need to take note of when considering your sodium intake.
Thankfully, there are some low-sodium cottage cheese brands, which have reduced sodium contents for those who do need to keep track of how much sodium they do consume.
The problem however is that there aren’t all that many low-sodium cottage cheese brands to choose from, as sodium is an important ingredient in cottage cheese, and making delicious, longer-lasting cottage cheese with less sodium can be tricky.
What to Look for in Low-Sodium Cottage Cheese
Choosing a low-sodium cottage cheese doesn’t need to be tricky, you simply need to choose an option with a reduced sodium content, but also one that tastes great!
Here are some of the things to look for when choosing a low-sodium cottage cheese:
Nutritional Content
The first thing you should look at is the nutritional content of the low-sodium cottage cheese. This is not only to confirm that the cottage cheese is indeed low-sodium, but that it has the right nutritional content for you.
Take a look at the ingredients list too, to make sure that there are no hidden ingredients to make up for the lack of sodium, which might not be ideal for your diet.
Curd Size
Curd size is a personal preference, but it is definitely worth looking at. You can choose between large and small curds, and there is quite a difference between both.
Small curd cottage cheese is known to have more of a tang to it and be slightly more acidic. This is a favorite for some, and the smaller curds make the cottage cheese easier to spread over bread and crackers.
Large curd cottage cheese is usually creamier and more milky, with a fresher flavor. It is less acidic than smaller curd cottage cheese, and the curds are obviously larger in size.
Milkfat
You might need to control the milkfat you consume on top of your sodium, and you can find different milkfat levels with various cottage cheese brands. Most cottage cheese has around 4% milkfat, which is considered the regular amount.
However, you can find low-fat cottage cheese with around 2% milkfat, and even lower varieties with 1% or fat-free.
The lower the milkfat content, the less creamy the cottage cheese will be.
Flavors
One other thing to consider when looking at the low-sodium cottage cheese you want to buy is the flavor. Most cottage cheese is not flavored, but there are some flavor options to choose from, such as pineapple cottage cheese or herb cottage cheese.
These can be delicious, but make sure to check that these flavors do not add too much extra sodium to the cottage cheese.
What Is Considered Low-Sodium Cottage Cheese?
There is no hard rule as to what sodium content makes cottage cheese low-sodium. Typically, cottage cheese contains between 300mg to 690 mg of sodium per ½ cup.
So to look for a low-sodium option, you would need to look for contents below this. Low-sodium cottage cheese contains between 45mg and 240mg of sodium per ½ cup.
This is quite a variance, but what you choose will be dependent on how restricted your sodium intake is, and how careful you need to do with the amount of sodium you choose.
If a cottage cheese brand is not labeled as low-sodium, you can look at the sodium content, and if it works out to between 45 mg and 240 mg per ½ cup, then it can be considered low-sodium.
The 7 Best Low-Sodium Cottage Cheese Brands
You probably do not want to spend your time grocery shopping reading through all the cottage cheese labels to find the one with the lowest sodium content, so to help you out, here are some of the best low-sodium cottage cheese brands on the market!
Rank | Cottage Cheese Brand | Sodium Content (per ½ cup) |
1. | Stop & Shop – 1% Milkfat No Salt Added | 45mg |
2. | Lucerne Cottage Cheese (No Salt Added) | 45mg |
3. | Friendship Dairies – 1% Milkfat No Salt Added | 55mg |
4. | Hood – Low Fat No Salt Added | 60mg |
5. | Breakstone’s – 2% Milkfat Low Sodium | 220mg |
6. | Prairie Farms – 1% Milkfat Low Sodium | 240mg |
7. | Hiland Low Fat Cottage Cheese Less Sodium | 240mg |
1. Stop & Shop – 1% Milkfat No Salt Added
Stop & Shop might not be the first place you would think of to purchase a low-sodium cottage cheese, but they actually have one of the lowest-sodium options on the market!
Now, you would have to be able to go to a Shop & Stop to purchase this, or hopefully have delivery options near you, but if you are strict with your sodium intake, and still want to include cottage cheese in your diet, then this is a great option.
The 1% milkfat content, and the low sodium, mean it is a really healthy cottage cheese to include in many different diets.
With no salt added, you can expect 45mg of sodium per ½ cup, which will work out even less per serving if you are just having small amounts of cottage at a time.
High in protein, but low in sodium, this is a great cottage cheese brand to try if you can get your hands on some!
2. Lucerne Cottage Cheese (No Salt Added)
Lucerne Dairy Farms have a delicious cottage cheese with no salt added. This is not a sodium-free cottage cheese, but rather one without additional salt to enhance the flavor like many other brands, making it a good option for low-sodium diets.
The low-fat cottage cheese is made with small curds, so it has a slightly tangy, acidic flavor to it, but it has a great taste overall.
Per ½ cup of Lucerne Cottage Cheese (No Salt Added), there is around 45 mg of salt, which is a substantially small amount, especially since you will likely not be using ½ cup of cottage cheese per meal.
You can expect around 15g of protein per serving, and with the 1% milkfat content, it is a great cottage cheese to include in many different diets.
It is made with quality dairy, and you can expect delicious, fresh cottage cheese not lacking any flavor!
3. Friendship Dairies – 1% Milkfat No Salt Added
Friendship Dairies 1% Milkfat No Salt Added is a small curd cottage cheese, with a refreshing dairy taste and dense texture that makes it perfect to enjoy on its own as is, or to use as a mix-in for other meals.
It is high in protein, having 15 grams per serving, and it has 10% calcium too. The main benefit however is that it is low in sodium, as there is no salt added, and it only has 55 mg of sodium per 1 ⁄ 2 cup.
You really will not be able to taste the difference with the low-sodium cottage cheese, but you will definitely benefit from the lower sodium content. It is a really versatile cottage cheese that can be used in so many ways.
It is made with 1% milkfat, so it is a lower-fat cottage cheese compared to many other brands too, which might also be more beneficial for your diet.
Fresh and creamy, this may very well become your new favorite low-sodium cottage cheese!
4. Hood – Low Fat No Salt Added
Hood Low Fat No Salt Added Cottage Cheese was made for snacking – for dipping and spreading, topping and mixing, it can be used in many different ways to add a fresh, creamy flavor to your diet, all without the added sodium that usually comes along with cottage cheese.
With no salt added, this cottage cheese only has 60 mg of sodium per ½ cup, which is very low compared to many other brands. It is also low fat, so it ticks many boxes for many different diets.
Not only is it low-sodium, but it is packed with protein too, having 14g of protein per serving. This gives you much of your daily recommended nutrients, in such a fresh, creamy ingredient, served the way you like best.
Loaded with dairy goodness, but none of the bad stuff, Hood Low Fat No Salt Added Cottage cheese has rich flavor, a creamy texture, and that very slight acidity that makes cottage cheese so delicious. You really will not be able to notice the lack of salt in the cottage cheese.
5. Breakstone’s – 2% Milkfat Low Sodium
Breakstone’s 2% Milkfat Low Sodium Cottage Cheese has a slightly higher milk fat content than some other cottage cheese brands on this list, but this means that it is creamier and richer and that it can be used in so many different ways in your diet – sweet and savory!
Whether you choose to layer the cottage cheese with some honey and muesli or use it as a creamy, tangy dip for carrot sticks, you will love the fresh flavor and creamy finish.
The sodium content is higher than some others on this list, but it can still be considered low sodium, as it only contains 220 mg of sodium per ½ cup. This falls much lower than many other regular cottage cheese brands, making it a great choice.
6. Prairie Farms – 1% Milkfat Low Sodium
Prairie Farms 1% Milkfat Low Sodium Cottage Cheese is made with sea salt, but it only contains 240 mg of sodium per ½ cup, so you get all of the great flavors, accentuated with sea salt, but without having to consume high levels of sodium.
It is made with 50% less sodium compared to the regular cottage cheese from the brand, which is a real reduction, but the flavor and texture of the cottage cheese really aren’t much different, so you are not missing out on that added salt.
It is an excellent source of protein, but it is low in fat and low in calories, so you get to enjoy all of the good nutritional benefits, without having to compromise on other areas in your diet.
7. Hiland Low Fat Cottage Cheese Less Sodium
The Hiland Low Fat Cottage Cheese Less Sodium was made to be eaten as is, whipped, mixed, or even baked. The delicious, protein-packed cottage cheese is wonderfully versatile, and you will definitely make the most of each tub.
It has 240 mg of sodium per ½ cup, which is more than others on this list, but it is still considered low-sodium. This is also ideal if you use small amounts of cottage cheese at a time.
It is a low-fat cottage cheese that is packed with flavor and creamy texture, and it is sure to be one that you will buy again and again!
Best Low-Sodium Cottage Cheese
Sodium is quite a vital ingredient when it comes to making cottage cheese, being important for preserving the cottage cheese for longer, and for enhancing the flavor.
However, there are some great brands of cottage cheese that are low in sodium, so you can still enjoy cottage cheese in your diet without having to worry about the sodium content too much.
Take a read through the above low-sodium cottage cheese brands to find the one that you would want to try out next! We have listed the sodium count for each, so you can make sure it is the right one for you.
Related Questions
Can I Eat Cottage Cheese on a Low-Sodium Diet?
You can eat cottage cheese on a low-sodium diet, as long as you look for low-fat, low-sodium cottage cheese. Regular cottage cheese usually has quite a high sodium content, so you do have to be careful.
Is There Sodium-Free Cottage Cheese?
There is no sodium-free cottage cheese, as sodium is an important ingredient in cottage cheese. However, there is low-sodium cottage cheese or no-salt-added cottage cheese, that has a low enough sodium content to be suitable for reduced sodium diets.