Why Your Muscles Need Cottage Cheese

I grew up eating cottage cheese on a regular basis, but for some reason, I have forgotten to put it on my grocery shopping list.   But based on the scientific evidence presented this week at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, cottage cheese is another one of my retro foods that will be making a comeback in my diet on a regular basis.

Cottage cheese is a good source of leucine, one of the several important amino acids that comprise  high quality proteins found in lean meats, fish, poultry, and dairy.   Previously, I have blogged about the importance of spreading out your protein intake during your day to maximize your body�s ability to synthesize lean muscle mass during your entire day.

In essence, you need to be consuming adequate amounts of high quality protein at each meal to optimize and maintain lean muscle mass.  This is especially important as you get older as your muscle mass tends to decline as you age.   According Christopher Mohr, PhD, RD, a presenter at the conference, muscle mass declines by 0.5 to 1 percent each year beginning at about 40 years of age.

This latest research suggests that the amino acid, leucine, which is found abundantly in cottage cheese as well as other dairy foods, meat, and eggs, enhances the process of making lean muscle mass.   According to Mohr, leucine is the igniter that sparks the synthesis of muscle mass in the body.   Hence, my beloved cottage cheese is very good for my muscles.

If you haven�t consumed it recently, cottage cheese has taken on a new look in the culinary world.  The picture chart and recipes below are a delicious illustration of how cottage cheese can be paired with variety of flavors at any meal or snack:

                                                                                        Berry Breakfast Parfait


                                                                                        Italian Tomatoes with Herbs



                                                                                       Cinnamon Peach Swirl



                                          Strawberry and Spinach Salad

If you want someone else to do the culinary pairing for you, there are a variety of pre-paired combinations such as cucumber and dill and garden vegetables cottage cheeses already blended for you at the supermarket.

Cottage cheese is back in my diet, and my muscles are thanking me for it.

Be well,

Joan

Twitter:  @JoanSalgeBlake

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