Frederic Melton
Feta and blue cheese are both popular types of cheese with distinctive flavours and textures. Feta is a staple of Greek cuisine and is known for its salty, tangy taste and crumbly texture. Blue cheese, on the other hand, has a pungent aroma and a creamy texture, with blue veins or moulds running through it. While both cheeses have their unique characteristics, they also share some similarities in terms of their nutritional profiles and uses. So, which is better for you?
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What You'll Learn
Feta is lower in fat and calories than blue cheese
Feta cheese is a fresh, soft, salty, white cheese that is a staple of Greek cuisine. It is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk and has a tangy and sharp taste. Feta is often packaged in brine to preserve freshness, which makes it high in sodium. However, it is lower in fat and calories compared to blue cheese, making it a better option for those watching their weight or maintaining a healthy diet.
Blue cheese, on the other hand, is an aged cheese with a pungent aroma and a creamy texture. It is made with cow's milk and the Penicillium roqueforti fungus, which gives it its distinctive blue veins. Blue cheese is a more refined cheese, often served on charcuterie boards with wine. It has a longer shelf life than feta, lasting up to four weeks refrigerated.
In terms of nutrition, blue cheese contains higher amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium compared to feta. Per 100 grams, blue cheese has 33% more calories than feta, with 353 calories compared to 265 calories in feta. It also has more fat, with 18.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams compared to 13.3 grams in feta. Blue cheese is also higher in protein, with 21.4 grams per 100 grams compared to 14.2 grams in feta.
Feta cheese, however, is a good source of calcium and protein and contains beneficial fatty acids. It also has more thiamin, riboflavin, and Vitamin B6 than blue cheese. Additionally, feta has been linked to reduced body fat mass and body fat percentage in some studies. Both cheeses are high in Vitamin A and have similar amounts of Vitamin D.
While both cheeses can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, it is important to consume them in moderation and be mindful of portion sizes. Feta cheese, with its lower fat and calorie content, may be a preferable option for those conscious of their weight or overall health.
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Blue cheese has more protein
Feta and blue cheese are both popular types of cheese known for their distinct flavours and textures. While feta is a fresh, white cheese that is often crumbled over salads, added to eggs, or whipped into a dip, blue cheese is an aged, refined cheese with a pungent aroma and creamy texture, typically served on charcuterie boards with wine.
In addition to its higher protein content, blue cheese also boasts other nutritional advantages over feta. Blue cheese is a great source of potassium, with 256mg of potassium per 100g, significantly more than the 62mg found in feta. Blue cheese also has more calcium, zinc, and phosphorus than feta, making it an even more nutrient-dense option.
However, it's important to consider the overall nutritional profile of both cheeses. While blue cheese has more protein, feta has certain advantages in other areas. Feta, for example, has more thiamin, riboflavin, and Vitamin B6. It is also generally lower in fat and calories than blue cheese, making it a preferred choice for those conscious of their calorie and fat intake. Feta is also a good source of beneficial fatty acids and has been linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
Both blue cheese and feta offer unique nutritional benefits, and including either in your diet can provide a good source of protein. However, if your primary focus is on protein content, blue cheese takes the lead with its significantly higher protein per 100g serving.
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Feta is higher in sodium
Feta cheese is a fresh, soft, white cheese that is a staple of Greek cuisine. It is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk and has a tangy, salty taste and a crumbly texture. Feta is packaged in brine to preserve its freshness, which is why it is higher in sodium compared to blue cheese.
The brining process is what gives feta its characteristic salty taste and also acts as a preservative, keeping the cheese fresh for longer. This means that feta has a shorter shelf life than blue cheese, which can be stored for up to four weeks refrigerated.
Feta's high sodium content may be a concern for those watching their sodium intake. However, it is important to note that feta is generally lower in fat and calories compared to blue cheese, making it a better choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet or manage their weight. Feta is also a good source of calcium and protein and contains beneficial fatty acids.
When it comes to sodium content, it is worth noting that both feta and blue cheese are considered high in sodium. However, blue cheese contains higher amounts of sodium compared to feta. If you are looking for low-sodium cheese options, you may want to consider natural cheeses like Swiss, Monterey Jack, or ricotta, which are known for their lower sodium content.
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Blue cheese has more potassium
Blue cheese is a great source of potassium, with 256mg of potassium per 100g, while feta cheese contains 62mg per 100g. This means blue cheese has 313% more potassium than feta cheese.
Potassium is a chemical element that is essential for life. A deficiency, also called hypokalemia, is very rare as potassium is found in most foods. However, it is important to note that for those with kidney problems, high levels of potassium in the blood can be dangerous. When the kidneys are compromised and unable to filter blood effectively, high serum levels of potassium can cause irregular heartbeats or even heart attacks. In such cases, it is important to limit dietary potassium, including high-potassium cheeses.
Blue cheese is considered a high-potassium food, with 73mg of potassium per ounce, while feta cheese is not typically classified as such. Cheeses with larger serving sizes tend to be higher in potassium. For example, 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese, which is a high-potassium food, contains 217mg of potassium. On the other hand, cheeses that are usually consumed in smaller portions, such as cheddar with only 28mg of potassium per ounce, are considered low-potassium foods.
While blue cheese has a higher potassium content than feta cheese, it is important to consider other nutritional factors when comparing these two cheeses. Both cheeses are high in protein, with blue cheese containing 51% more protein per 100g than feta. They are also both rich sources of calcium, zinc, and phosphorus, although blue cheese contains higher amounts of these minerals. Additionally, blue cheese has higher amounts of calories, saturated fat, and sodium compared to feta cheese.
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Both are rich in calcium
Feta cheese and blue cheese are both rich in calcium, which is known to be beneficial for bone health and osteoporosis prevention. Calcium-rich foods are, however, linked with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Feta cheese, a staple of Greek cuisine, is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk. It is characterised by its salty and tangy flavour and crumbly texture. It is packaged in brine to preserve freshness, which makes it high in sodium. Feta is a good source of protein and contains beneficial fatty acids. It is also a source of thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6. Feta is lower in fat and calories compared to blue cheese, making it a better choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet or manage their weight.
Blue cheese, on the other hand, is known for its pungent aroma and creamy texture, with blue veins or moulds running throughout. It is made with cow's milk and the fungus Penicillium roqueforti, which gives it its distinctive flavour and appearance. Blue cheese is a good source of potassium, with 313% more potassium than feta cheese. It is also a great source of protein, with 51% more protein than feta per 100 grams. Blue cheese contains higher amounts of fat, saturated fat, and calories compared to feta. It also has higher amounts of sodium. Blue cheese is richer in calcium, zinc, and phosphorus than feta.
Both feta and blue cheese can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, but it is important to be mindful of portion sizes and to consume them in moderation, especially if watching your sodium intake.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is generally lower in fat and calories compared to blue cheese, making it a better choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet or manage their weight. However, feta cheese is also higher in sodium due to the brining process, so it’s important to consume it in moderation if you’re watching your sodium intake.
Blue cheese is a great source of potassium and contains higher amounts of protein, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D than feta cheese. It also contains spermidine, which has been linked to improved cardiovascular health and decreased cardiovascular diseases.
Feta cheese is a good source of calcium and protein and contains beneficial fatty acids. It has also been found to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer and may help reduce body fat.
Blue cheese contains less lactose, which could be a better option for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Feta cheese is known for its salty and tangy flavour and crumbly texture, while blue cheese has a more pungent aroma and a creamier texture.
