High-Protein Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard High-Protein guidelines.

How do dairy fare on the High-Protein diet? The answer depends on protein density per serving. This guide breaks down all 16 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Good news for High-Protein followers: all dairy fit the diet. These foods are protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.

Quick Reference

Food Status Protein (per 100g)
Brie Allowed 20.8g
Buttermilk Allowed 3.3g
Cheddar Allowed 24.2g
Cheese Allowed 7.1g
Cottage Cheese Allowed 11g
Feta Allowed 14.2g
Goat Cheese Allowed 26.9g
Ice Cream Allowed 4.3g
Mac and Cheese Allowed 11.8g
Milk Allowed 3.3g
Mozzarella Allowed 31.7g
Parmesan Allowed 40g
Ricotta Allowed 7.5g
Swiss Cheese Allowed 16.4g
Whipped Cream Allowed 3.2g
Yogurt Allowed 4.3g

Classification Breakdown

16 Allowed — These dairy are protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target.

High-protein targets are typically 1.6 to 2.2g of protein per kg of body weight per day.

Allowed Dairy (16)

Brie

Allowed

At 20.8g protein per 100g, Brie falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. The classification reflects that it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Swiss Cheese and Cheddar for protein, ranking 12 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Buttermilk

Allowed

At 3.3g protein per 100g, Buttermilk falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. This means it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Among the 16 items in this category, buttermilk sits at the low end for protein — next closest is Milk at 3.3g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cheddar

Allowed

With 24.2g protein per 100g, Cheddar earns a Allowed classification on High-Protein. It is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Beyond the primary classification, cheddar also provides 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for protein. The nearest lower option is Brie at 20.8g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cheese

Allowed

Cheese is classified as Allowed on High-Protein, with 7.1g protein per 100g. The classification reflects that it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Yogurt and Ricotta for protein, ranking 6 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g0g
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g0g
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g

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Cottage Cheese

Allowed

With 11g protein per 100g, Cottage Cheese earns a Allowed classification on High-Protein. It is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Beyond the primary classification, cottage cheese also provides 11g protein and 9.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Mac and Cheese for protein, ranking 8 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g0g
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g0g

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Feta

Allowed

At 14.2g protein per 100g, Feta falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. The classification reflects that it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Mac and Cheese and Swiss Cheese for protein, ranking 10 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
0gFiber

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Goat Cheese

Allowed

At 26.9g protein per 100g, Goat Cheese falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. It is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Beyond the primary classification, goat cheese also provides 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for protein. The nearest lower option is Cheddar at 24.2g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ice Cream

Allowed

At 4.3g protein per 100g, Ice Cream falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. The classification reflects that it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.6g fat per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, ice cream sits at the low end for protein — next closest is Yogurt at 4.3g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
4.3gProtein
8.6gFat
37.1gCarbs
0gFiber

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Mac and Cheese

Allowed

At 11.8g protein per 100g, Mac and Cheese falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. The classification reflects that it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.8g protein and 15g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Feta for protein, ranking 9 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
1.6gFiber

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Milk

Allowed

Milk is classified as Allowed on High-Protein, with 3.3g protein per 100g. This means it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Among the 16 items in this category, milk sits at the low end for protein — next closest is Ice Cream at 4.3g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g0g
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g0g

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Mozzarella

Allowed

With 31.7g protein per 100g, Mozzarella earns a Allowed classification on High-Protein. This means it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. It also contains 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for protein. The nearest lower option is Goat Cheese at 26.9g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
1.8gFiber

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Parmesan

Allowed

At 40g protein per 100g, Parmesan falls into the Allowed category under High-Protein guidelines. It is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Beyond the primary classification, parmesan also provides 40g protein and 1150mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for protein. The nearest lower option is Mozzarella at 31.7g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ricotta

Allowed

Ricotta is classified as Allowed on High-Protein, with 7.5g protein per 100g. The classification reflects that it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cheese and Cottage Cheese for protein, ranking 7 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
0gFiber

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Swiss Cheese

Allowed

With 16.4g protein per 100g, Swiss Cheese earns a Allowed classification on High-Protein. This means it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. It also contains 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Feta and Brie for protein, ranking 11 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
0gFiber

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Whipped Cream

Allowed

With 3.2g protein per 100g, Whipped Cream earns a Allowed classification on High-Protein. It is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Beyond the primary classification, whipped cream also provides 22.2g fat per 100g. Among the 16 items in this category, whipped cream sits at the low end for protein — next closest is Buttermilk at 3.3g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Yogurt

Allowed

With 4.3g protein per 100g, Yogurt earns a Allowed classification on High-Protein. This means it is protein-dense enough to contribute meaningfully toward a daily protein target. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Cheese for protein, ranking 5 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g0g
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g0g
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g0g

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