Feta cheese is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. However, the high sodium content in feta cheese may cause complications with certain medical conditions. Feta contains more calcium than many other cheeses. Calcium helps you maintain healthy teeth and bones.
Feta cheese has few calories than any other cheese, so it a good choice for weight loss. 28 grams of feta cheese contains 75 calories. However, feta cheese is high in sodium, so it is advised to drink plenty of water if you have it..
According to dieticians and doctors around the globe, Feta is the healthiest cheese option in the world and now there is clear evidence to prove it.
Some of the healthiest cheeses are feta and goat cheese, which are better for lactose intolerance. Cottage cheese and ricotta have more than 11 grams of muscle-building protein in a single serving. Swiss cheese is naturally lower in sodium, so it is a good option for people with hypertension.
Feta cheese has bacterial cultures that are good for immune, intestinal and anti-inflammatory health. Besides that, it contains histidine, which, when combined with vitamin B6, produces histamine. Histamine is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
You can get very sick from raw (unpasteurized) milk and products made with it, including soft cheeses (such as queso fresco, blue-veined, feta, brie and camembert), ice cream, and yogurt. That's because raw milk can carry harmful germs, including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.
While feta cheese provides you with an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Feta is lower in fat than many other cheeses, however, and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation.
Don't eat mould-ripened soft cheese, such as brie, camembert and chevre (a type of goat's cheese) and others with a similar rind. You should also avoid soft blue-veined cheeses such as Danish blue or gorgonzola. These are made with mould and they can contain listeria, a type of bacteria that can harm your unborn baby.
Researchers from Norway have found that eating a daily portion (around 57 g) of Jarlsberg could help stave off bone thinning without boosting harmful low density cholesterol, and that the health benefits are unique to this very particular cheese.
Fresh cheese
If you're looking for the leanest option, your best bet is fresh cheese. Such unripened cheeses include goat cheese, feta, ricotta and cottage cheese.
Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium but is often high in saturated fat and salt. This means eating too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Brands vary, but feta is usually the winner. Haloumi tends to have more calories and a higher fat content. Plus, it usually has more salt. Haloumi makes a good cooking cheese thanks to its high melting point.
Feta Cheese
With 7 grams of fat and only 3 grams of carbs, feta can be eaten by those following the keto diet. Feta's crumbly texture makes it easy to sprinkle on top of salads or soups.
Try to cut back on those that are highest in saturated fat, like ricotta and cheddar. (Slightly lower-saturated-fat cheeses include mozzarella, Swiss, feta, Camembert, and goat cheese.)
Ricotta cheese is much lower in calories and fat than other cheeses. Ricotta is made from whey protein, which can significantly decrease cholesterol, including harmful LDL cholesterol, according to a 2020 study.
Or, consider switching to Swiss cheese; one study found the probiotics in this variety could decrease inflammation.
Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center found that the dairy milk used to make Swiss cheese has naturally occurring antioxidants that can aid in healthy brain maintenance.
CHOOSING THE BEST CHEESES FOR CLEAN EATING
Buy actual cheddar, actual havarti or gouda. There are so many options out there! The safest bet is always the block or wedge. If you can afford organic, that's always the better option, but not essential.
The least healthiest cheese overall is Double Gloucester, which contains the highest amount of calories (415 per 100 grams) and a whopping 21.9g of saturated fat - which is more than the NHS's recommended daily saturated fat limit (opens in new tab) for women.
Is feta cheese good for fatty liver? No. Feta cheese, like most cheeses, is high in saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids lead to fat accumulation in the liver and may increase oxidative stress (19).
Since feta cheese is high in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat, it should be eaten only as an occasional indulgence, not with every meal. Nonetheless, the nutrients in this dairy product make feta a good way to incorporate dairy into a healthy and balanced diet.