Feta cheese: a healthier choice for big flavor

Light and crumbly, feta cheese carries a delicious, tangy flavor that accentuates a wide variety of foods. But there’s another big benefit to consider when making choices in the cheese aisle: feta fits into your health-conscious goals and provides some great nutrition.

Feta, a soft, Greek-style cheese, has been growing in popularity and for several great reasons. It’s a versatile cheese that adds big flavor to dishes both sweet and savory. It’s well known for elevating the everyday salad, but feta offers so much more. It makes for an incredible breakfast omelet, brings pizza to the next level and adds a new dimension to pasta dishes. It pairs superbly with fruit and gives some flair to cheesecake recipes.  

Best of all, diners can savor the lively taste of feta cheese without an ounce of guilt. It’s a healthier choice that offers some solid contributions to our well-being.

Dietary guidelines published by the US Department of Agriculture include three servings of dairy products daily and generally suggest nutrient-dense foods that fall within calorie limits.

“Cheese is a flexible way to get a serving of nutrient-dense dairy: it can be a snack on its own or as part of an entrée or meal,” according to the International Dairy Foods Association. “Cheese is an important source of high-quality protein, especially for meat-free meals or snacks.”

Feta in many ways stands out from its peers. It carries fewer calories than many cheese styles, but also packs in more calcium, which contributes to strong bones and teeth. It’s also an excellent source of complete protein, meaning feta provides all the essential amino acids that curb hunger, build muscle and more.

Feta is a recognized as a great source of vitamins and minerals. It’s high in phosphorus, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc and potassium. It’s also rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin B6. As an added bonus, feta cheese contains probiotics, which can benefit gut health and bolster your immunity.

Those concerned with fat content can enjoy feta’s rich taste through fat-free and reduced-fat varieties. Although feta has a higher sodium content than many cheeses, its robust flavor means that even small portions can provide a major boost to your favorite meals.

Get out and explore the many ways that feta contributes to tastier recipes, whether as a snack or at the dinner table. It’s the perfect choice for flavor. It’s also a great choice for those concerned about doing the best they can for their health.

“Cheese can be an important and nutrient-dense part of healthy dietary patterns,” according to the National Dairy Council.

Agropur is the cheesemaker of choice for high-quality feta. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of feta cheese, made at our facility in Weyauwega, WI, USA. With many delicious varieties, our feta has consistently earned honors in the world’s most prestigious cheese contests. Click here to learn more about feta cheese from Agropur.