If you are anything like us, the best cottage cheese recipe once read: Step one, throw it in the trash. Let’s be honest. Cottage cheese has a reputation problem. The chunky, gloopy texture is anything but appealing, and for many of us, it has long been relegated to the “hard pass” category of healthy foods.

But dare we say it? We have seen the cottage cheese light.

Thanks to social media, creative recipes, and a blender, cottage cheese has undergone a serious glow-up. When whipped, blended, baked, or incorporated into recipes, it transforms into a creamy, protein-packed ingredient that is surprisingly delicious and incredibly versatile.

Beyond its newfound popularity, cottage cheese may also offer benefits that support overall health, including breast health.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients, and making healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce breast cancer risk. Cottage cheese checks several boxes when it comes to supporting these healthy habits. It is high in protein, rich in calcium, supports healthy blood sugar levels, and is a convenient, nutrient-dense food.

• Creamy Cottage Cheese Basil Pesto Pasta
• Double Chocolate Cottage Cheese Muffins
• Protein Bagels with Cottage Cheese
• Herby Cottage Cheese Dip
• Cottage Cheese Banana Pudding

Unlike that red-flag ex, cottage cheese actually deserves a second chance. When incorporated into balanced meals alongside fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, cottage cheese can be a satisfying source of protein and nutrients that support an overall healthy lifestyle. And if you still can’t get past the texture, remember: there is always the blender.