Cottage Cheese vs Mozzarella Cheese
Side-by-side macro comparison. Cottage Cheese vs Mozzarella Cheese per their standard serving sizes.
Cottage Cheese
per 100g (1% milkfat)
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Cottage Cheese | Mozzarella Cheese | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 72 cal | 85 cal | -15% Cottage |
| Protein | 12.4g | 6g | +107% Cottage |
| Carbs | 2.7g | 1g | +170% Cottage |
| Fat | 1g | 6g | -83% Cottage |
Differences shown relative to Cottage Cheese. Positive = Cottage Cheese has more.
Quick Take
Cottage Cheese delivers 72 calories per serving with 12.4g protein, 2.7g carbs, and 1g fat. Mozzarella Cheese delivers 85 calories with 6g protein, 1g carbs, and 6g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 13 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. For protein density per calorie, Cottage Cheese wins at 69% of calories from protein.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cottage Cheese gives you 13 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Cottage Cheese delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Mozzarella Cheese brings 85 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Cottage Cheese delivers 12.4g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.
For Keto / Low-Carb
Both Cottage Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Cottage Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?
Cottage Cheese has more protein: 12.4g vs 6g per serving. That's a difference of 6.4g.
Which has fewer calories, Cottage Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?
Cottage Cheese has 72 calories per serving vs 85 calories in Mozzarella Cheese — a difference of 13 calories.
Is Cottage Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese better for keto?
Mozzarella Cheese is the better keto choice at 1g carbs per serving vs 2.7g carbs in Cottage Cheese.
Is Cottage Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Cottage Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (13 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Cottage Cheese delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Cottage Cheese.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Cottage Cheese
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Cottage Cheese
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
Mozzarella Cheese
Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.
Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.
Find Your Personal Macros
The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:
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Other ways Cottage Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese stack up:
Full Cottage Cheese guide • Full Mozzarella Cheese guide • All comparisons