Andy Montoya
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, from salads to pizzas. But how many calories does it contain? Feta cheese is made from sheep's and goat's milk and is known for its salty, tangy flavour. It is a good source of calcium, protein, and other essential vitamins and minerals. While it is lower in fat and calories compared to other cheeses like cheddar or parmesan, it has a high sodium content and saturated fat content. So, how does it fare in terms of calorie count?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 74 calories per ounce (28 grams) or 398 calories per cup |
| Fat | Lower in fat than many other cheeses; 6 grams per ounce or 32.2 grams per cup |
| Saturated Fat | High in saturated fat; 4 grams per wedge or 10% of the recommended daily value |
| Carbohydrates | 0 grams of carbohydrates per wedge or 5.8 grams per cup |
| Protein | 5 grams per wedge or 21.3 grams per cup |
| Cholesterol | 21 milligrams per wedge |
| Sodium | High in sodium; 258 milligrams per wedge or 1,710 milligrams per cup |
| Vitamins | Good source of B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin D |
| Minerals | Good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium |
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What You'll Learn
Feta is a low-calorie cheese
Feta cheese is lower in fat and calories than other aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan. For example, 1 ounce (28 grams) of cheddar or parmesan contains more than 110 calories and 7 grams of fat, while 1 ounce of feta has only 74 calories and 6 grams of fat. This makes feta a reasonable option to eat in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Despite being a low-calorie cheese, feta does have a high sodium content and should be consumed in moderation. Soaking feta in water for a few minutes before use can help to decrease its sodium content. Feta also has a high saturated fat content, which should be limited to less than 10% of your daily calorie intake.
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, such as salads, pizzas, and omelets. Its distinctive flavor and aroma make it a popular choice for adding a salty, tangy taste to meals.
Overall, feta is a low-calorie cheese that can be a healthy and tasty addition to your diet when consumed in moderation. It is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, and its calcium content can support bone health. However, it is important to be mindful of the sodium and saturated fat content and adjust your intake accordingly.
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Calorie count varies by type of feta
Feta cheese is a fresh, white cheese that is a staple of Greek cuisine. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep's and goat's milk, although some varieties also use cow's milk. The calorie count of feta cheese can vary depending on the type of milk used and the region of production.
Real Greek Feta, made with sheep's milk from select villages in Greece, has approximately 76 calories per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving. This calorie count may vary slightly depending on the specific producer and the method used to produce the cheese. For example, feta cheese made from sheep's milk tends to have a higher fat content, resulting in a slightly higher calorie count.
French feta, originating from southwest France, uses milk from specific ewe breeds and has a milder flavour. Bulgarian feta blends sheep's, goat's, and cow's milk, resulting in a less salty taste. Wisconsin feta, on the other hand, is made solely from cow's milk, resulting in a lighter flavour and crumblier texture.
When compared to other cheeses, feta is generally considered low in calories. For example, 1 ounce (28 grams) of cheddar or parmesan contains more than 110 calories, while the same amount of feta has only around 74 to 76 calories. Feta is also lower in fat than many other cheeses, making it a reasonable option to consume in moderation.
In conclusion, the calorie count of feta cheese can vary depending on the type of milk used, the region of production, and the specific producer. However, overall, feta cheese is considered a low-calorie cheese when compared to other varieties.
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Feta is lower in calories than cheddar or parmesan
Feta cheese is a low-calorie option compared to other cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan. While it is a cheese that is high in fat, it is lower in fat and calories than aged cheeses like cheddar and parmesan. This makes feta a reasonable option to consume in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of feta cheese contains 74 calories, while the same amount of cheddar or parmesan contains more than 110 calories. Feta's calorie count per serving may vary slightly depending on the producer and production method, but it remains lower than that of cheddar or parmesan.
Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's and goat's milk, while cheddar and parmesan are typically made from cow's milk. The type of milk used in cheese production can impact its nutritional profile. For example, sheep's milk feta tends to have a higher fat content than feta made from other types of milk, resulting in a slightly higher calorie count.
In addition to its lower calorie content, feta cheese offers several nutritional benefits. It is a good source of calcium, which is essential for bone health and has been linked to weight management. Feta also contains phosphorus, which is important for bone health, and protein, which helps maintain bone density and prevents osteoporosis. Furthermore, feta provides B vitamins, supporting a healthy nervous system, skin, and energy production.
When incorporating feta cheese into your diet, it is important to do so in moderation. While it is lower in calories than cheddar or parmesan, feta still contains saturated fats, which should be limited to less than 10% of your daily calorie intake. Additionally, feta has a high sodium content, so excessive consumption may contribute to high blood pressure and associated health issues.
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Feta has vitamins and minerals
Feta cheese is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. It is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk, although some varieties also contain cow's milk. Feta has a soft, crumbly texture, a salty flavour, and a tangy, sharp taste.
Feta is a good source of B vitamins, which support a healthy nervous system, skin health, and energy production. It also contains vitamins A, D, and K, as well as folate, pantothenic acid, and iron. These vitamins contribute to bone health, growth, and strengthening. For example, vitamin A plays a role in bone growth, while vitamin D helps with bone strengthening.
In addition to its vitamin content, feta cheese is also a good source of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Calcium and phosphorus are important for bone health, with calcium helping to maintain healthy teeth and bones, and phosphorus being a key component of bone structure. Feta's calcium content can also help control blood sugar levels, lowering the chances of developing diabetes and aiding in managing existing blood sugar-related conditions.
While feta cheese offers these nutritional benefits, it is important to consume it in moderation due to its high sodium and saturated fat content. Excessive sodium intake has been linked to increased blood pressure and associated health issues such as kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease. Similarly, saturated fats should be limited to less than 10% of your daily calorie intake.
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Feta is high in calcium
Feta cheese is a low-calorie, low-fat cheese that is a good source of calcium, containing more calcium than many other types of cheese. Calcium helps maintain healthy teeth and bones and prevents osteoporosis. Feta is made from goat's and sheep's milk, and these types of milk contain more calcium than cow's milk. This means that incorporating feta into your diet can help you achieve your recommended daily intake of calcium.
Feta is also a good source of phosphorus, which is an important component of bone health. Each serving of feta provides almost twice as much calcium as phosphorus, a ratio that has been shown to have positive effects on bone health. However, it is important to note that while calcium and phosphorus together can improve bone density, the phosphorus in feta may weaken bones in people with kidney disease. Therefore, moderation is key when consuming feta cheese.
In addition to its high calcium content, feta cheese also offers other potential health benefits. It is a good source of protein, which, along with calcium, can help control blood sugar levels and lower the chances of getting diabetes. Feta also contains a fatty acid known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to help improve body composition by decreasing fat mass and increasing lean body mass. Furthermore, CLA may also help prevent diabetes and has shown anti-cancer effects.
While feta cheese has numerous health benefits due to its high calcium content, it is important to be aware of some potential drawbacks. Feta is high in sodium and saturated fat, which can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues if consumed in excess. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy feta in moderation as part of a balanced diet to reap its nutritional benefits while mitigating potential risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is a low-calorie cheese. One ounce (28 grams) of feta contains 74 calories, while one wedge of feta cheese, weighing about one ounce, contains 76 calories.
Feta cheese is lower in calories than aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan. One ounce (28 grams) of cheddar or parmesan contains more than 110 calories, while feta has only 74 calories.
A cup of feta cheese contains 398 calories.
Feta cheese is a good source of calcium, which has been shown to help maintain or even reduce body weight. Feta also contains protein and vitamins A, K, and B, which support a healthy nervous system, skin, and energy production.
