Top 5 health benefits of feta (2024)

Crumbly, salty feta is a truly delicious ingredient – and eaten in the right portion sizes, makes a nutritious addition to a balanced diet. We asked nutritionist Nicola Shubrook to give us the lowdown.

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What is feta?

Feta is a white, salty and crumbly Greek cheese which is traditionally made from sheep's and goat's milk. Classified as a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) product, any cheese sold as feta must adhere to certain requirements, including a minimum 70 per cent sheep’s milk that must come from local breeds of sheep or goats, which have been traditionally raised on local pastures and from designated parts of Greece. Feta cannot contain any additives or preservatives. When buying feta, look for a stamp or wording to indicate that it is PDO approved, and that it is clearly labelled ‘Greek feta’ and not feta-style cheese.

Cheese made with cow’s milk will originate from outside Greece and should be labelled as a ‘feta-style’ cheese.

Health benefits of feta may include:

1. A good source of calcium
2. High in protein
3. Contains gut-friendly bacteria
4. Provides fatty acids
5. Contains fat that helps you feel full

More like this

Discover our full range of health guides including the top healthiest cheeses. Check out some of our best feta recipes, from our beautiful beetroot and feta patties, to our feta and pepper tortilla.

Nutritional benefits of feta

A 40g serving of feta provides:

  • 100 Kcal / 415 KJ
  • 6.2g Protein
  • 8.1g Fat
  • 5.5g Saturated fat
  • 0.6g Carbohydrate
  • 144mg Calcium

Health benefits of feta

1. Source of bone-friendly calcium

Feta, like other dairy foods, is rich in calcium, a mineral we need for muscle and nerve function as well as for strong healthy bones and teeth. A portion of the cheese supplies a useful contribution towards your daily calcium needs, something which is important at all life stages. Feta is also a useful source of additional bone-friendly nutrients, including phosphorus and protein, which may help maintain bone density.

2. A useful source of protein

Being high in protein, feta makes a valuable dietary inclusion, especially for those following a lacto-vegetarian diet. Although be aware that traditional feta is not strictly vegetarian-friendly because it’s produced using animal-derived rennet.

Protein is essential for good health with muscle, skin and blood all formed from this essential macronutrient, and we need adequate amounts in our diet for cells and tissues to grow, develop and repair.

3. May support gut health

Feta cheese contains beneficial microbes including yeasts and bacteria, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, which may help support gut health. In fact, probiotic yeasts from feta have been seen to tolerate low pH levels which puts them at greater chance of surviving the harsh environment of the stomach and getting to the part of the gut where they can be of most value.

4. Contains beneficial fatty acids

Feta cheese contains good amounts of a fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Animal studies suggest this fatty acid appears to improve body composition by reducing body fat and increasing lean mass. Cheese made from sheep's milk has higher levels of CLA.

5. May keep you fuller for longer

Being rich in protein and fat, and full-on flavour, cheese like feta may help keep us fuller and more satisfied for longer.

Overall, is feta good for you?

When it comes to cheese, feta is a healthy choice. Not only is it packed with protein and fat – both essential nutrients for helping you to feel full and energised – it's also good for your gut. Probiotic yeasts in feta may lower the PH in your stomach, which is key for a healthy gut. As with all dairy foods, feta is a good source of calcium, which we need for strong teeth and bones.

Healthy feta recipes



Chilli-stuffed peppers with feta topping

Kale tabbouleh

Now read

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The health benefits of kefir
Is halloumi healthy?
The health benefits of almond milk

This article was last reviewed on 6 October 2021 by Kerry Torrens.

Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.

Kerry Torrens is a qualified nutritionist (MBANT) with a postgraduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the past 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.

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All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

Top 5 health benefits of feta (2024)

FAQs

Top 5 health benefits of feta? ›

Source of riboflavin and vitamin B12

One serving of feta cheese provides 14% of your daily riboflavin requirement, which offers antioxidant protection against aging, migraines, and fatigue. Feta cheese is also high in B12, which can boost energy production and keeps your blood cells healthy.

How good is feta cheese good for? ›

Source of riboflavin and vitamin B12

One serving of feta cheese provides 14% of your daily riboflavin requirement, which offers antioxidant protection against aging, migraines, and fatigue. Feta cheese is also high in B12, which can boost energy production and keeps your blood cells healthy.

Do Greek people eat feta every day? ›

Feta in Greece is almost like a “staple” food considering it is practically on our table on a daily basis.

Why is Greek feta so good? ›

At Mt Vikos, which sells PDO Greek Feta, the cheese come from the milk of sheep and goats (they use about 15 percent goat's milk) that graze on fresh grasses and herbs in the mountains of Thessaly. This “gives the milk the extra wonderful flavor and quality,” according to Cardoos.

What is healthier than feta? ›

Goat cheese is milder in flavor than feta, but also tends to be lower in calories as well as fat.” Depending on how it's processed, goat cheese can also pack probiotics, which are microorganisms that can aid digestion. Fresh mozzarella, “tends to be one of the lowest in calories and sodium,” McGrane says.

Is feta good for your gut? ›

When it comes to cheese, feta is a healthy choice. Not only is it packed with protein and fat – both essential nutrients for helping you to feel full and energised – it's also good for your gut. Probiotic yeasts in feta may lower the PH in your stomach, which is key for a healthy gut.

Is feta cheese a superfood? ›

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.

Is feta cheese inflammatory? ›

Feta cheese, which is made from sheeps' milk, contains a protein called histidine. When histidine is combined with vitamin B6, it undergoes a molecular process to become histamine, a compound that provides anti-inflammatory benefits.

What are 2 facts about feta cheese? ›

Feta cheese can be made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat milks. Most cheese lovers say the best comes from sheep's milk. But keep in mind, true Feta cheese will contain, at most, 30% goat's milk. Feta is one of the world's oldest cheeses.

What is the difference between feta and Greek feta? ›

French Feta is made with Lacaune sheep's milk (if you remember, that's the sheep breed used for Roquefort production). It has a softer and creamier texture that Greek Feta and a milder, less tangy flavor (though it's sharper than Israeli Feta).

What is the best type of feta? ›

Although it isn't the saltiest, Greek feta packs the most flavor of the three, which makes it a transformative addition to simple, one-dimensional dishes. Marinated feta is a go-to appetizer around here. At the end of the day, though, the most important thing to look for when buying feta is how it's packaged.

What brand is 100% real cheese? ›

Sargento® Cheese

Since our founding in 1953, Sargento has been dedicated to innovation. We do what we do for the love of 100% real, natural cheese; from ahead-of-its-time packaging to unique varieties, from industry firsts to industry bests.

What is better, cottage cheese or feta? ›

Cottage cheese vs feta cheese

If you're watching your waistline, cottage cheese is the winner. it has less than half the calories of feta and one-quarter of the fat. But despite being the leaner choice, it has almost as much protein as feta, as well as one-quarter of the salt.

How long can feta cheese last in the fridge? ›

Although unopened feta can last for as long as six months in the fridge, as soon as you open it, this timeframe shortens to only seven days. Thankfully, extending the shelf life of this dairy product is as simple as storing it in olive oil after opening, which can maintain its freshness for two to three weeks.

How can you tell if feta cheese is good? ›

“So if the product starts to smell yeasty, like proofed bread dough, the product has gone bad.” Harsh, unbalanced flavors: Feta should taste like fresh, mildly tangy dairy. If your feta tastes overly piquant, bitter, rancid, or otherwise unbalanced, it's past its prime.

How do you store feta so it lasts? ›

You can easily save the remaining cheese by making your own brine. Just combine 2 cups water with 2 tsp. kosher salt, stirring until the salt dissolves. Store the leftover feta in the brine, making sure the cheese is covered completely.

Does feta last longer in water? ›

Due to feta cheese's crumbly texture, it can become dry very quickly, even when stored in the refrigerator. For storing feta longer than a week, it's best to keep it in brine (a solution of water and salt) or salted milk, in order to keep it from drying out.

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