Calorie and Fat Content. Cream cheese is higher in calories and milk fat because of its creamy texture and higher fat content ...

The curds are washed, then cream and salt are added ... The difference between nonfat and full-fat cottage cheese is about 30 calories per half-cup; the low-fat (called 2 percent) options ...

In terms of relying on dairy for certain nutrients, it's true that it's not needed, said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and professor of medicine and nutrition at Tufts Medical School.

Sometimes referred to as curds and whey, this dairy product differs from cheese in that it’s not aged, but rather sold and served fresh. It's also low in calories, compared with other cheeses.