The key is learning which cheeses to choose and how to incorporate them into your eating plan.

That said, five types of cheese stand out for being particularly helpful if youre trying to lose weight.

There are many ways to include cottage cheese in your diet.

Photo of various soft cheeses in small bowls.

Photo:Getty Images

I suggest pairing cottage cheese with fresh berries for a nutrient-rich, satisfying afternoon snack, says Tyler.

Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella cheese is a semisoft cheese commonly made from cows or buffalos milk.

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a soft cheese traditionally made from sheeps or goats milk.

Its a staple in Greek cuisine but has a range of culinary uses.

Try adding this flavorful cheese to your nextsalad,pasta dishor pan ofroasted vegetables.

you could alsobakeblocks of feta for a creamy appetizer or whip it into aflavor-packed sauce.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is a hard cheese made from cows milk.

It has a strong flavor and unique appearance, often containing holes of various sizes.

Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is actually not a cheese at all.

Instead, its made from whey, a by-product of the cheese-making process.

Ricotta cheese is typically made from cows or goats milk and is a good source of protein.

One 12-cup serving of whole-milk ricotta contains 186 calories, 13 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein.

From baked pasta dishes toCannoli-Inspired Overnight Oats, theres no shortage ofhealthy ricotta recipesto try.

Cheeses that are high in protein can help with satiety, meaning youll stay full longer.

This is especially helpful if youre following a reduced-calorie diet.

Limit Highly Processed Cheeses

Cutting back on ultra-processed foodsincluding highly processed cheesesmay benefit weight loss.

Examples of ultra-processed cheeses include spray canned cheeses, cream cheese and American cheese, says Kolesa.

In addition to providing protein, including cheese in your diet can also help make your meals more satisfying.

Hansen TT, Astrup A, Sjodin A.Are dietary proteins the key to successful body weight management?

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing body weight outcomes after interventions with increased dietary protein.Nutrients.

2021;13(7):2473. doi: 10.3390/nu13072473

USDA.

FoodData Central.Mild Cheddar Cheese, Mild Cheddar.

Cheese, mozzarella, whole milk.

FoodData Central.Cheese, feta.

FoodData Central.Cheese, swiss.

FoodData Central.Cheese, ricotta, whole milk.