Cheese your way to good health

Cheese is fattening! Cheese is for thin people! These are some of the common myths we hear when it comes to cheese. While there are several variants of cheese, one of the healthiest avatars called feta enriches your nourishment quotient. ‘Feta’ is derived from the Greek word for slice. Available in a soft texture, this white brined cheese which crumbles on touch is one of the “healthiest cheeses in the world”.

Cheese is a very delicious complement to any kind of meal but sadly people avoid this calcium-rich food when sticking to a healthy diet. While most people love cheese, there seems to be a mental block against feta cheese which boasts great taste and is packed with good health. Here is the lowdown on feta cheese:

* Energy and lower fat content: Feta is low in calories and fat than most other cheeses. According to Chef Priya Dikshit, “Due to it’s strong flavour, just one ounce as part of your meals is enough.” Feta cheese contains up to 1.9 per cent conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) a fatty acid known to help improve body composition, decrease fat mass and increase lean body mass.

* Protein: In addition to good fats and calcium, feta has a high protein content sitting at 4.8 grams of protein per 28-gram serving.

* A rich source of calcium: A 28 gms serving of feta cheese contains nearly 140 mg of calcium, making it one of the best dietary sources of calcium. Calcium is an essential component to the development and health of your body bones and tooth enamel.

* Vitamins: Feta cheese packs in vitamin B6, Vitamin A and phosphorous, providing anti-inflammatory benefits.

* Probiotics: Feta cheese also contains probiotics, which also help the immune system fight infection and disease. The bacteria found in these probiotics can help promote immune system and gut health by protecting the intestinal tract from diseasecausing bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

* Red Alert Sodium: Sodium is the only ingredient that one has to be careful about. Feta is high in sodium and contains 266 mg of sodium in a one-ounce serving. A simple way to reduce the salt content of this cheese is to rinse it with water before eating it.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and create your own concoction of feta cheese with anything you like. Your salad to your fruits to your roti, Feta can do wonders to your palate and your health.