The little known cheese that could help you LOSE weight

The little known cheese that could help you LOSE weight,

For most dieters, cheese is typically off the menu. 

Those looking to lose weight are often advised to avoid it because it’s high in fat and high in calories. 

But now, a little-known cheese from France is threatening to upend this age-old belief because of its surprisingly high protein and low-fat profile.

Cancoillotte is made from skimmed cows’ milk – heated to create a white, almost-liquid substance – which means it is one of the leanest cheeses available.

It has also got twice as much protein per calorie as cheddar – two facts that have no doubt helped it go viral on TikTok and Reddit, with fitness influencers producing videos extolling its virtues.

Cancoillotte can be eaten on its own, used as a dip, poured as a topping over foods or even spread onto toast in the morning.

While it is not available in major US grocery stores, it can be ordered online, and retailers are noting its newfound popularity – as one New York City-based seller told the Daily Mail that they are seeing growing interest from customers.

Dietitians are also curious about the cheese. New York City-based expert Kristen Kuminski said, ‘Cancoillotte is an interesting option for dieters.’

Cancoillotte has been made in eastern France since the 16th century. It was little–known beyond its home region until recently, when it started to gain an international following don social media due to its high protein content

‘It has the advantage of being lower in fat than most cheeses and more spreadable, which makes it extremely versatile.’

So, is this cheese really worth the hype? And is it the undiscovered indulgent diet exception people have been searching for?

Why cancoillotte is a protein powerhouse

Made in the Franche-Comté region, the cheese emerged in the 16th century as the result of the actions of frugal peasants who wanted to minimize waste.

After processing cow’s milk to make butter, cream or other cheeses, workers found they were left with a fat–free, pale skimmed milk. 

Rather than throw it away, the peasants curdled and fermented the fluid to make a white, crumbly mixture called metton, which was pressed into blocks.

Peasants then heated the metton and added water, salt and a small amount of butter to make a cheese with a smooth and slightly liquid texture: Cancoillotte.

For centuries, the cheese has been little-known outside France. But, amid the current craze for high-protein diets, it has found a new international audience.

Estimates suggest that a 1oz, or 28-gram (g), serving of the cheese contains just 41 calories and 2.7 grams of fat and 4.3 grams of protein – or 10 calories per gram of protein.

Cancoillotte is made by just 22 producers in the region. It is not available at major US grocery stores, but can be ordered online

For comparison, a 1oz portion of cheddar – America’s favorite cheese – contains 110 calories, nine grams of fat and six grams of protein – or 20 calories to every gram of protein.

Cancoillotte’s profile suggests it could be a more flavorful alternative to cottage cheese, which is already a favorite among dieters, given its similar nutritional content. 

A 1oz portion of cottage cheese contains 20 calories, one gram of fat and nearly four grams of protein.

Cancoillotte may help with weight loss 

It is possible that cancoillotte could help someone to lose weight.

As it is made from milk from cows, it is a rich source of casein protein, which makes up 80 percent of the total protein in the cheese.

Kuminski said, ‘This protein is slow-digesting, unlike whey protein, which breaks down rapidly. This means it gradually releases amino acids into the body to help someone feel fuller for longer.’

Very few studies have been carried out on cancoillotte. But research into cottage cheese, which has about the same protein content, suggests that it may help someone lose weight.

A 2025 review found that eating cottage cheese helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which could help to curb appetite and food cravings.

Another review by  UK researchers published in the same year found that cottage cheese consumption could help support healthy body composition in adults.

Additionally, because cheese is typically not allowed on diets, people often feel restricted and may struggle to adhere to a meal plan that cuts out the guilty pleasure entirely. 

So, allowing cancoillotte on a diet may help people stick with their weight-loss plan for longer. 

Why the little-known French cheese is surging in popularity 

Amid the growing hype around the cancoillotte, more people are starting to buy it.

Made only in the Franche-Comté region by 22 businesses, 4,900 tons were made in 2017, according to data from the Association for the Promotion of Cancoillotte.

But in 2024, this rose to 6,200 tons, a 27 percent increase in seven years and equivalent to 25 million 250-gram tubs of the cheese.

Julie Morin, a cheesemonger and president of the association, told The Guardian: ‘There’s been slow progression in sales of cancoillotte over the last seven years, but influencers have produced a big boom, which we didn’t expect.

‘What with all the new enthusiasm for the cheese and the May bank holidays, we  couldn’t produce as much as usual, so we had a bit of a shortfall.’

She added: ‘Until now, it has been a product that was difficult to advertise. So, we are surprised and happy it’s become something of a craze and are hoping it will last.’

After ringing round cheesemongers in New York City, cheesemonger Casey Shargel, who has worked at Midtown East’s Ideal Cheese Shop for two years, told the Daily Mail there is growing interest in the product.

‘It’s hard to find that in the US,’ she said, ‘but we have had customers looking. Someone came in to ask about the cheese recently.’

Amid the protein craze captivating the country, it is likely that the cheese’s popularity will only continue to rise.