Youve Probably Never Heard Of This Underrated Dairy Product Thats Tastier And Healthier Than Greek Yogurt
Our love topic with dairy is a complicated thing. You’ve likely been warned surpassing that dairy products pose a risk of heart disease and consequently cautioned to think twice surpassing snacking on that woodcut of cheddar. Yet research has begun to suggest that dairy may in fact be good for your heart rather than harmful, which has dairy lovers heaving sighs of relief.
In fact, some studies indicate that consuming saturated fats from dairy products may be linked to higher HDL (“good cholesterol”) and lower triglyceride levels. Even with all this gouda news, researchers still teach eating dairy in moderation and choosing low-fat and low-sugar varieties.
So with that in mind, you might be wondering which dairy products are the weightier zinger for your buck, nutrition-wise. One such product that gets little sustentation is quark.
What Is Quark?
Despite stuff somewhat difficult to categorize, quark’s smooth, soft, crumbly texture is similar to that of other cheeses. It’s made by fermenting a mixture of cheese and yogurt cultures in warm milk and straining out the whey.
Quark’s consistency is somewhere between cottage cheese, a thick Greek yogurt, and surf cheese, and its taste is similar to that of mildly sour surf cheese. Although it has a tanginess to it, it’s not as tart as Greek yogurt.
Originally from Europe, quark is expressly popular in Germany but has begun to proceeds popularity in the U.S. due to its substantial health benefits.
The Health Benefits of Quark
Aside from stuff delicious, this soft, savory spread is bursting with nutrition. As a low-fat product that’s moreover a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, quark is worthy of stuff included in anyone’s diet.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a ½ cup serving of quark contains the pursuit nutrients:
- 90.2 calories
- 11 g protein
- 3 g fat
- 5 g carbs
- 0 g sugars
- 29.7 mg sodium
- 80.3 mg calcium
Plus, the generous value of probiotics found in quark help with improving digestion, regulating healthy yes-man in the gut, and boosting immunity.
But what truly sets it untied from its cheesy cousins is its low sodium levels. It contains half as much sodium as Greek yogurt and would make an spanking-new volitional to that, cottage cheese, or ricotta. If you’re watching your salt intake, quark is the way to go!
Tasty Ways To Enjoy Quark
Quark is an extremely versatile food, giving you many possible ways to enjoy it. You might segregate to simply swap it with your daily Greek yogurt, topping it with all your favorite add-ins like granola, jam, and fruit. Or you could enjoy it on its own or as an winger to your favorite dishes, treating it as a dip.
As a high-protein food, quark would moreover make an spanking-new pre- or post-workout snack, satiating your want while towers and repairing muscle.
If you prefer to use quark as a spread, you can smother it on a slice of crusty bread, toast, or a bagel for a mouthwateringly succulent snack. There are uncounted options for incorporating this healthy cheese into your diet, all of which will leave you and your taste buds satisfied.