Cottage Cheese vs. Heavy Cream

Cottage cheese and heavy cream are two dairy products that have their differences and similarities when it comes to nutrition.

Nutritional Profiles: Macros, Calories, and More

Cottage cheese is a fresh, unripened cheese made by curdling milk. It has a high protein content with 11g per 100g. It also contains calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, and minerals. A 100g serving provides 98 calories, with 11g protein, 5g fat, and 3g carbs. The fat in cottage cheese is relatively low compared to heavy dairy products.

Heavy cream, also known as heavy whipping cream, contains at least 36% milk fat. With 22g fat per 100g, it is very high in saturated fat content. Heavy cream provides 340 calories in a 100g serving, with 3g protein, 22g fat, and 12g carbs. So while lower in protein than cottage cheese, heavy cream carries over 3 times more calories and 4 times more fat per serving.

So cottage cheese wins for protein and heavy cream for fat and calories on a per weight basis. But heavy cream can add richness, texture, moisture and fat to cooking applications where cottage cheese may not substitute properly.

Calcium, B Vitamins and Sodium

For calcium, both cottage cheese and heavy cream are excellent sources with over 65mg per 100g serving. This mineral is needed for bone health and muscle and nerve functioning.

Cottage cheese contains more B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, folate and B12 than heavy cream. The B vitamins help convert food into cellular energy and support red blood cell health.

However, cottage cheese tends to be very high in sodium, with 300 to 400mg per serving. Heavy cream has minimal sodium by comparison. High sodium intake may increase risk of high blood pressure.

Vitamin A, D, E Differences

Heavy cream wins for Vitamins A, D and E. With 411 IU Vitamin A, 63 IU Vitamin D and 0.92mg Vitamin E per 100g serving, it contains significantly higher amounts than cottage cheese.

These fat soluble vitamins support immunity, healthy bones and cells, eyesight and antioxidant protection in the body. The higher fat content of heavy cream enables it to carry more of these vitamins.

Cooking and Baking Uses

Cottage cheese has many savory cooking uses, as it blends into fillings, dips, sauces, eggs, and more to add extra protein. Its fresh flavor and curds give great texture contrast.

Some popular ways to use cottage cheese:

• Lasagna filling instead of ricotta
• Mix into scrambled egg breakfasts
• Vegetable and cracker snack platters
• Dips paired with chips or breads
• Taco fillings
• Mix into pancake batters
• Potato pancakes or fritters
• Savory cheesecake
• Stuffings for chicken breasts

Heavy cream shines more in baking, desserts and richer dishes that should carry sweetness and moisture. Some ways to bake or cook with heavy cream include:

• Frostings and buttercream
• Ice creams and gelato
• Whipped cream
• Creamy soups like potato, mushroom or tomato
• Sauces like alfredo, cheese sauce or gravy
• Puddings and custards
• Pies like banana cream or Boston cream
• Creamy rice or bread puddings
• Hot chocolate and chocolate ganache

So while cottage cheese adds protein and fresh tang, heavy cream provides sweet richness, moisture and texture to cooking and baking. Their uses differ based on the flavor and nutrition goals of recipes.

Price Differences

Cottage cheese is the more affordable option between the two. A 32 oz tub of cottage cheese often costs between $2 to $3. Comparatively, a 32 oz carton of heavy whipping cream ranges from $5 to as much as $8 or $9 depending on milk fat content.

So buying heavy cream requires a significantly higher budget. However those seeking to limit calories or carbs may use less heavy cream per serving than cottage cheese.

Health Considerations

Those managing calories, carbs, cholesterol or fat will prefer cottage cheese for its superior macro profile. However, the high sodium requires caution for those limiting salt intake.

Heavy cream should be eaten in moderation by anyone watching saturated fat or calories. But its richness and fat soluble vitamins may benefit those needing to increase caloric intake.

For lactose intolerance, cottage cheese may be easier to digest due to lower lactose than heavy cream or milk. Always confirm your tolerance.

Key Takeaway: Cottage cheese provides high protein and heavy cream offers richness, but cottage cheese contains less calories and fat per serving.

Potential Substitutions

If you lack one dairy product, knowing substitutions helps adapt recipes.

Substituting for cottage cheese:

• Ricotta cheese
• Soft goat cheese
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Greek yogurt combined with milk
• Pureed tofu
• Blend silken tofu into a dip consistency

Substituting for heavy cream:

• Whole milk + butter
• Half and half
• Full fat coconut milk
• Full fat canned evaporated milk
• Plain full fat Greek yogurt
• Softened cream cheese

Adding fats like oil or butter to milk creates a closer consistency and richness to heavy cream. Combining Greek yogurt with milk mimics the thickness of cottage cheese.

Always adjust salt or sugar in any substitution to account for differences in flavor between dairy products. Taste as you go to check seasonings.

Whipping Abilities

Whipping these dairy products into airy, fluffy forms changes their structure and uses.

• Cottage cheese: Does not whip due to curds and high moisture content. Blend into dips instead.
• Heavy cream: Whips into fluffy whipped cream. Must be well chilled first.

So heavy cream can transform through whipping whereas cottage cheese maintains its curdled form.

Nutrition Charts Comparison

Below are nutrition charts comparing key nutrients in cottage cheese and heavy cream. Review the macros, vitamins and minerals side-by-side per 100 gram serving.

FAQs

What contains more fat and calories, cottage cheese or heavy cream?

Heavy cream is significantly higher in both fat and calories compared to cottage cheese. Per 100g serving, heavy cream provides 22g fat and 340 calories whereas cottage cheese has just 4g fat and 98 calories.

Which is higher in cholesterol?

Heavy cream has over 6 times more cholesterol than cottage cheese, with 113mg per 100g serving compared to just 17mg in cottage cheese.

What has more calcium, heavy cream or cottage cheese?

Both are rich sources of the mineral calcium. Heavy cream provides a slight 21% higher calcium content, with 66mg per serving over the 83mg in cottage cheese. But both deliver a large portion of your daily needed intake.

Can you whip cottage cheese into whipped cottage cheese?

No, unlike heavy cream, cottage cheese cannot be whipped into a lighter, fluffier form. Due to its high moisture curds, attempting to whip cottage cheese will not transform its texture.

Conclusion

In choosing between them, consider your nutritional needs, recipe goals, and any health restrictions on saturated fat or sodium.

Both play roles in sweet and savory cooking contexts.