Randy Chandler
Feta cheese is a staple of Greek cuisine, traditionally made using sheep's milk. It is a white, soft cheese with a tangy, sharp flavour and a creamy texture. Feta is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, and B vitamins, and it also contains friendly bacteria that promote immune and intestinal health. While it is a nutritious cheese, feta is high in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation. The calorie count of sheep feta cheese varies depending on the producer and production method, but typically, a 1-ounce wedge contains around 76 calories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 76 calories per 28 grams; 84 calories per serving; 265 calories per 100 grams |
| Fat Content | 6.5 grams per 28 grams; 21.5 grams per 100 grams; 43% minimum fat in dry matter content |
| Saturated Fat | 4 grams per 28 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 0 grams |
| Protein | 5 grams per 28 grams |
| Cholesterol | 21 milligrams per 28 grams |
| Sodium | 258 milligrams per 28 grams |
| Lactose | 0.13 grams per 125 grams |
| Vitamins | B vitamins |
| Calcium | Rich source |
| Phosphorus | Rich source |
| Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) | 1.9% |
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What You'll Learn
Feta is a low-calorie, low-fat cheese
Feta has a tangy, sharp flavor and a creamy texture. It is a white, soft to semi-firm cheese matured in brine, which enhances its salty and tangy taste. It is often used in salads, on bread, or in cooked Mediterranean-style dishes.
A single serving of feta cheese, or about 1 ounce (28 grams), contains approximately 76 calories. The total fat content of a serving of feta is about 6.5 grams, including 4 grams of saturated fat. While feta is a relatively low-calorie and low-fat cheese, it is important to note that it is high in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Feta cheese is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and protein, which are essential for bone health. It also contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid found in animal products that has been linked to improved body composition and potential health benefits such as diabetes prevention and anti-cancer effects. In addition, feta is a source of friendly bacteria that promote immune and intestinal health and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Sheep's milk feta has a higher calorie count
Feta cheese is traditionally made using sheep's milk, although it can also be made with goat's milk or cow's milk, or a combination of these. Classical Greek feta is prepared from 70% sheep's milk and 30% goat's milk. It has a tangy and sharp flavour and a distinctive creamy texture.
Feta cheese is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, and B vitamins. It is also a source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid found in animal products, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may help prevent diabetes and cancer.
While feta cheese is generally considered a low-calorie, low-fat cheese, sheep's milk feta has a slightly higher calorie count than feta made from other types of milk. This is because sheep's milk feta has a higher fat content. One wedge of feta cheese, weighing about 1 ounce or 28 grams, typically contains 76 calories. However, because sheep's milk feta has a higher fat content, the calorie count per serving may be slightly higher, depending on the specific producer and production method. For example, 100g of feta typically contains 265 calories, but this can vary depending on the milk used and other factors.
Sheep's milk also contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals than cow's milk. For example, milk from sheep contains more calcium and phosphorus than cow's milk, so incorporating sheep's milk feta into your diet can help you achieve the recommended daily intake of these nutrients.
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It's a good source of vitamins, calcium and phosphorus
Feta cheese is a Greek cheese traditionally made using sheep's milk, although it can also be made with goat's milk or a combination of the two. It is known for its soft, crumbly texture, salty and tangy flavour, and slight tang. While feta cheese is an excellent source of nutrients, it should be consumed in moderation due to its high sodium and saturated fat content.
Feta cheese is a good source of vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus, which offer various health benefits. Firstly, feta contains several B vitamins, which support a healthy nervous system, skin health, and energy production. It is also a rich source of calcium, which helps maintain healthy teeth and bones. Additionally, the calcium content in feta, along with its high levels of phosphorus, contributes to improved bone density and osteoporosis prevention when consumed together.
Sheep's milk feta cheese may provide an even greater nutritional boost as sheep's milk contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals compared to cow's milk. For example, feta made from sheep's milk has a higher concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that has been linked to reduced body fat and potential health benefits such as diabetes prevention and anti-cancer effects.
While feta cheese offers these nutritional benefits, it is important to be mindful of its high sodium content, which can contribute to elevated blood pressure. Additionally, unpasteurized feta should be avoided by pregnant women due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes, a type of bacteria that can cause mild flu-like symptoms in adults and harm a fetus. Overall, when consumed in moderation, feta cheese can be a delicious and healthy addition to most diets, providing a good source of vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus.
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Feta contains friendly bacteria and has anti-inflammatory effects
Feta cheese is a staple in Greek cuisine and the Mediterranean diet. It is traditionally made using sheep's milk, although sometimes a mix of sheep's and goat's milk is used. Feta has a rich aroma and a slightly sour taste. It is also known for its intense flavour and is commonly used in salads and cooked Mediterranean-style dishes.
A single serving of feta cheese, weighing about 1 ounce or 28 grams (a wedge), contains approximately 76 calories. However, when made with sheep's milk, the calorie count may be slightly higher due to the higher fat content.
Now, let's focus on the topic: "Feta contains friendly bacteria and has anti-inflammatory effects".
Feta cheese contains beneficial bacteria, specifically probiotics, which are known to promote a healthy gut and support immune system function. These good bacteria may also help with symptoms of diarrhoea and constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
While feta cheese is not typically marketed as a cheese to consume for its anti-inflammatory properties, it does contain lower levels of saturated fat compared to other cheeses. This is beneficial because a diet lower in saturated fat is recommended to help manage inflammation.
Additionally, feta made from sheep's milk has a higher concentration of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which has been linked to potential anti-cancer and diabetes prevention benefits.
In summary, feta cheese is a nutritious and tasty addition to most diets when consumed in moderation due to its high sodium and saturated fat content. It contains friendly bacteria that promote gut health and may have some anti-inflammatory effects due to its lower saturated fat content and the presence of CLA, especially when made with sheep's milk.
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It's high in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat
Feta cheese is traditionally made using sheep's milk, or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is known for its soft, crumbly texture, salty flavour, and slight tang. While it is a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins, it is also high in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat.
Feta cheese is aged in brine, which gives it its salty flavour. This means that it is high in sodium, with a one-ounce (28-gram) serving containing approximately 312-316 mg of sodium, or around 258 mg if it is a Greek feta. This can account for up to 13% of your RDI of sodium, which is recommended by the American Heart Association to be no more than 2,300 mg per day. If you are sensitive to salt, you can reduce the salt content by rinsing the cheese with water before eating it.
Feta cheese is also high in saturated fat, with one ounce containing about 4 grams of saturated fat, or 4.2 grams according to another source. This represents about 21% of the USDA's recommended daily intake of saturated fat, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for a dietary pattern that achieves 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat.
In addition, feta cheese contains cholesterol. While the exact amount is unclear, one source states that a wedge of Greek feta, weighing about one ounce or 28 grams, contains 21 milligrams of cholesterol.
Despite these drawbacks, feta cheese can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. It is lower in fat and calories than other aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan, and it is a good source of nutrients. It also contains beneficial bacteria and fatty acids, and its probiotics may aid gut health.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 76 calories in a 28-gram serving of sheep feta cheese.
Feta cheese contains friendly bacteria that have been shown to promote immune and intestinal health. It is also a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and protein, which are important for bone health.
Feta cheese is high in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat, so it should be eaten only in moderation as an occasional indulgence. The recommended serving size is one wedge, or about 1 ounce (28 grams), which contains 76 calories.
