health benefits of paneer or cottage cheese

• Posted by Nandini Devi March 18, 2015 - Filed in Health - #paneer  #cottage cheese  #uses of paneer  #nutritious food paneer  - 1,344 views

  health benefits of paneer or cottage cheese

  The often ordered dish in the restaurants and perhaps the only tasty dish vegetarians eat, paneer or cottage cheese has a dedicated fan following in India at least. A product made from the milk, it is used in several forms such as chunks, bhurji, fried, sautéed, barbequed, grilled, etc. Basically, paneer is an all-rounder when it comes to ways it can be eaten and tastes good almost in all these forms. Since it is eaten so much, we see if its health benefits match up to its popularity status. Here are some of them.

   

  Good source of protein

   

  Perhaps common knowledge by now but paneer is the good source of protein especially for vegetarians who do not get their intake from meat products. 100g of paneer yields about 18g of protein which is good for people who weight train as they need protein for muscle building and repair.

   

  Keeps hunger pangs at bay

   

  Since paneer is made of protein, it releases energy slowly in the body which means, it does not cause a spike in ones blood sugar levels, nor does it give an immediate boost which drops soon. It keeps one satisfied for long after eating it which is why is can be used evening snack to kill those hunger pangs.

   

  Builds the stronger teeth

   

  Paneer also has the calcium apart from protein. This helps in building stronger teeth and also bones to the certain extent. Though it is a milk product, it is better than milk when it comes to nutrition. Having the same amount of milk and protein will give way more nutrition from paneer, the only hitch being, you will intake more calories from it too.

   

  Helps to burn more fat

   

  Apart from being rich in protein and calcium, paneer is a great source of conjugated linoleic acid — a fatty acid which helps lose weight by increasing the fat burning process in the body. So people who wish to lose weight, should definitely include a paneer dish in their diet plans.

   

  Prevents deadly diseases

   

  The humble paneer is in fact quite useful to prevent deadly diseases such as cancer by preventing the growth of cancer-causing cells in the body. Not just this, it also protects against heart disease by lowering the fat deposition in the arteries.

  Though paneer has these benefits, it is not free from controversy. Many believe that is fattening and stay away from it. The truth is, it is no doubt high on the calorie metre (100g = 292 calories), it works for people who have an active lifestyle as they will burn those calories easily and gain its nutrients. But moderation is essential. Do not have excess amounts but you do not have to shun it completely either.

  Another thing to remember is the preparation method. Paneer can be eaten raw as well with just a sprinkle of black pepper and salt. But even if you have to use it in a dish, don’t opt for frying it.