by Emily Murray: The Mediterranean diet has long been regarded as one of the healthiest…
In fact, it was named the best diet of 2019 by US News! (1) With a high number of folks in that region living to a ripe old age, you know they must be doing something right.
But, the Mediterranean diet has a good bit of feta cheese in it. And there’s still old school advice saying a healthy diet can’t have cheese, that cheese is evil and will make you fat, or that some people can’t digest any cheese at all… the list goes on. So you may be on board with a more Greek style of eating, but there’s still that nagging question: is feta cheese good for you?
One of the most wonderful things about feta is that it’s made with goat or sheep’s milk… not cow’s milk. So if you have trouble digesting cow’s milk, you might have better luck with feta.
If you’re fine digesting any dairy, but still on the fence about this cheese business, here are 5 other ways that feta cheese can help build a healthier you. We think you’re going to be pretty happy about this!
#1 Fights Anemia Naturally
Anemia is associated with low levels of iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. Guess what? Feta cheese has plenty of vitamin B12, to help kick anemia to the curb. (2)
#2 Prevents Treats Migraines
B vitamins to the rescue again! A good source of riboflavin and Vitamin B2, feta is used as a natural remedy for headaches and migraines too. Diets rich in vitamin B2 help reduce migraines and other forms of chronic headache, so it just makes good sense to say cheese. (3)
#3 Supports Bone Health
A 1-ounce serving of feta cheese has 140 milligrams of calcium, which helps keep your bones strong and prevent osteoporosis too. Calcium also supports the health of your heart, muscles and nerves. (4, 5)
#4 Probiotics – Support Gut Health
Feta is a “raw cheese” made from unpasteurized milk. In short, this means it’s got good stuff for your tummy. When purchasing raw cheese for its probiotic qualities, be sure to look for the words “organic,” “probiotic,” or “made from raw milk” on the label.
Probiotics offer many positive health effects, which boil down to a balanced and happy gut. Use them in treating diarrhea, vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome and even childhood eczema. (6) All of this, right there in feta cheese. It’s like a two-fer sale for one’s diet.
#5 Beneficial Fatty Acids
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid found in animal products. It may help prevent diabetes and has promising anti-cancer effects. Though cheeses made from cow and goat milk also contain CLA, cheese made from sheep’s milk has a higher concentration than either. Getting enough CLA can help improve overall body composition as well. (7)
See? Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be all diet foods and 3 mile runs. A consistently healthy diet full of variety and quality foods is a sure-fire way to nourish you on every level. It’s easier to stick with a diet that you love, and that loves you back, you know? So give the Mediterranean diet a try… a huge palette of colors and flavors plus delicious, nutritious feta cheese!
