Yes, feta cheese is a good source of calcium, providing a significant amount per serving, along with other bone-friendly nutrients like phosphorus and protein, making it a healthy choice for supporting strong bones and muscle function. While it's not as high in calcium as aged hard cheeses like Parmesan, it offers a useful contribution to your daily intake, especially since it's often made from sheep's and goat's milk, which are naturally rich in calcium and phosphorus.
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.
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is an homemade Italian food whose denomination “Protected Designation of Origin” is linked to an artisanal manufacturing process in limited geographic area of Northern Italy and is an optimal source of essential nutrients for acquisition and maintenance of bone health.
There are hundreds of cheeses, including those made with cow's milk, goat's milk, and sheep's milk. Some of the healthiest cheeses include feta, parmesan, cheddar, and manchego.
Potential Risks of Feta Cheese
And it contains saturated fats, which you should limit to less than 10% of your daily calorie count. Excessive sodium in your diet has been shown to contribute to high blood pressure, which doctors link to ongoing health issues like kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease.
"Feta vs. Greek feta" highlights a key distinction: Greek feta is the authentic, PDO-protected cheese made in Greece from sheep's milk (or sheep/goat mix) with a distinct salty, tangy flavor and crumbly texture, while "feta" (or "fetta") sold elsewhere often uses cow's milk, resulting in milder, creamier, or different textures and flavors, but lacks the specific character of traditional Greek feta. The main difference lies in ingredients (milk type) and origin, with Greek versions being the original, regulated product.
Low-fat dairy products, such as milk or yogurt, are rich in bone-building nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, protein, potassium, zinc and phosphorus. Try to get three servings a day.
Alcohol and salty foods are catalysts for calcium flushing. As calcium levels in the blood decrease, the body extracts (resorbing) calcium from the bones to obtain the calcium it needs to function properly. Calcium flushing can make the bones porous, which can lead to the development of osteoporosis.
The fastest way to increase bone density involves a combination of high-impact weight-bearing exercises, resistance training, and ensuring adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D, coupled with lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and moderating alcohol, as bones respond best to stress, nutrients, and a healthy environment to rebuild and strengthen. Focus on progressive overload in your workouts and consult a doctor before starting.
Dried figs: Rich sources of calcium and contain 160 mg per 100 grams of serving. Dried figs are one of the best sources of calcium, providing the required calcium to make your bone and teeth stronger and healthier. They can be included in your diet as whole fruits, smoothies, and desserts.
Certain fibers, such as wheat bran, and foods with oxalic acid (spinach and rhubarb) can bind with calcium and prevent it from being absorbed.
If you eat and drink the following foods over the course of one day, you will get a total of about 1,000 mg of calcium:
Eating feta cheese every day is fine if you enjoy it in moderation. Because it's relatively high in salt, try to balance it with plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Symptoms
Salt. Excess salt may cause you to lose more calcium in your urine. It's unclear whether this leads to your bones losing strength and an increased risk of breaking a bone. It's still worth being aware of your salt intake, so you can make sure it's within the healthy amount.
K2 will remove calcium buildup from places like your joint and arteries and move it to bones and teeth. MK7, the natural version of K2, can be found in everyday foods, including cheese, chicken, egg yolk, sauerkraut, and beef liver.
Drinking OJ with your morning breakfast can be beneficial for strengthening your bones. Most brands add nutrients like calcium and vitamin D to give it a boost. Check your grocery store for orange juice fortified with these added vitamins and minerals.
Regular exercise is essential. Adults aged 19 to 64 should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week. Weight-bearing exercise and resistance exercise are particularly important for improving bone density and helping to prevent osteoporosis.
One of the easiest and more popular ways to incorporate Feta to a dish is to crumble it. Feta Crumbles are so versatile that you can use them to garnish pasta, watermelon, grapes, nuts, chickpeas, potatoes, salads, pizza, or eggs.
Moreover, with many Greek dishes being vegetarian and over 180 fasting days in the Greek Orthodox calendar, where the consumption of meat is prohibited, feta cheese also takes the place of meat in many vegetable-based dishes.
The healthiest cheeses at glance: