Cottage cheese is a made from cow's milk that is first heated, then mixed with acidic bacteria that curdles the milk. The curd is then broken up and mixed with more water to form the cheese, which is sold fresh.

A 1/2-cup serving of cottage cheese weighs 105 g, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Within that serving, 12 g are proteins, 4 g are carbohydrates, and around 3 g are fats. Water and other nutrients make up the remaining portion.

The USDA also notes that a 1/2-cup portion of cottage cheese contains a total of 88 calories. Proteins make up 48 calories within the serving. Fats comprise approximately 25 calories and carbohydrates deliver around 15 calories.

A 1-cup serving of cottage cheese can provide just over four percent of the daily recommended caloric intake for the average adult. This percentage is based on a typical 2,000 calorie per day diet.

Cottage cheese also delivers several important vitamins, including vitamins A, B6, B12, folate, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin. Dietary minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, magnesium and selenium, are also available from cottage cheese.