3 Award-Winning SA Dairy Products to Help Smash Your Protein Macros
Protein. Protein. Protein. It’s the macronutrient on everyone’s lips, and for good reason. Protein really is a powerhouse, and when you add it to your meals, you’ll feel satiated for longer. For someone active who loves strength training like me, protein is king. But it’s not just for gym fans, it’s also a key nutrient for other groups, like women as we get older.
But not every meal can contain mountains of meat to meet the 30g of protein per meal threshold. Sometimes you have to get creative and find more interesting, and delicious ways to add protein, and flavour, to your meals. There are many unassuming dairy products many of us eat every single day that are perfectly capable of giving us the protein boost we need.
You might be surprised just how much protein is already in some of the everyday foods in your fridge, like that block of cheese or tub of yoghurt. Dairy is one of the highest-quality sources of protein you can eat. It’s rich in all 9 essential amino acids and is easily absorbed by the body, making it especially effective for building and repairing muscle.
And the benefits don’t stop there. Getting your protein from dairy also comes with a bundle of extra nutrients:
- Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth.
- Potassium to support muscles, nerves, and help maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Vitamin B12 and riboflavin for energy and brain function.
Every time you reach for milk, yoghurt or cheese, you’re not just ticking the protein box, you’re also giving your body a nutrient-rich boost.
To help you hit those macros, here are 3 award-winning South African dairy products to help you smash your protein goals:
Lancewood Greek Delight Fat Free Yoghurt – 7.9g protein
While sitting on the couch and enjoying your favourite TV show, you can be devouring 8g of protein, just from a bowl of yoghurt! Lancewood’s recent Greek Yoghurt arrival on South African shelves has been the talk of the town. This innovative new product is so good it recently took the crown for SA Champion in Fat Free Yoghurt Plain at the annual South African Dairy Awards. The fat free yoghurt packs 7.9g of protein per 150g serving and 5.3g protein per 100g.
Lancewood Full Cream Chunky Cottage Cheese Plain – 11.7g protein
The retro cheese has become a viral protein superstar. All over social media, you’ll find people adding cottage cheese to everything. There’s no doubt, cottage cheese is a winner when it comes to sneaking protein into things. If you’re looking for a stellar cottage cheese pick, then look no further than Lancewood Full Cream Chunky Cottage Cheese (plain). This staple took the award for SA Champion in the category of Full Cream Chunky Cottage Cheese without condiments at this year’s South African Dairy Awards. This cottage cheese packs 11.7g of protein per 125g serving or 9.3g protein per 100g.
Lancewood Yellow Gouda – 7.9g protein
There’s nothing like a slice of gouda to round off a good burger but have you considered switching your afternoon protein bar for cheese? The next time you’re craving a high protein snack reach for cheese and crackers. That simple block of cheese sitting in your fridge can give you an instant 7g hit of protein. I love snacking on Lancewood Gouda, Lancewood Yellow Gouda took the crown of SA Champion in the category of Rindless Gouda – Maximum age: 2 months at this year’s South African Dairy Awards. This delight offers 7.5g of protein per 30g serving or 25g of protein per 100g.
About the South African Dairy Awards
The South African Dairy Awards is Africa’s largest, most prestigious and oldest dairy competition, having been presented by Agri-Expo since 1834. The awards, which attracted 1227 product entries from 81 producers, are judged by industry experts to reward excellence in dairy across multiple categories.
Class winners are awarded the title of SA Champion. Products of exceptional quality that achieve a minimum international score earn the prestigious Qualité Mark of Excellence – the dairy industry’s top accolade.
At the awards show in April this year, Lancewood was honoured with the following accolades:
- Qualitè Award: LANCEWOOD Lactose Free Yellow Cheddar
- SA Champion Mild Cheddar Maximum age: 4 months: LANCEWOOD Lactose Free Yellow Cheddar
- SA Champion in Fat Free Yoghurt Plain: LANCEWOOD Greek Delight Fat Free Yoghurt
- SA Champion in Full Fat Cream Cheese with condiments: LANCEWOOD Full Fat Cream Cheese Plain with Sweet Chilli Sachet
- SA Champion in Full Fat Cream Cheese without condiments: LANCEWOOD Full Fat Cream Cheese Plain
- SA Champion in Full Cream Chunky Cottage Cheese without condiments: LANCEWOOD Full Cream Chunky Cottage Cheese Plain
- SA Champion in Cultured / Sour Cream: LANCEWOOD Cultured Cream
- SA Champion Rindless Gouda – Maximum age: 2 months: LANCEWOOD Yellow Gouda
“We are extremely proud of our standout performance at the South African Dairy Awards 2026,” said Jeanne-Mare Africa, Lancewood Marketing and Innovation Executive. “We are particularly thrilled that our Fat Free Greek Delight Plain Yoghurt , a brand new product, was named an SA Champion.”
