Feta cheese, a white cheese with a crumbly texture, is made from the milk of goats or sheep. This cheese is commonly used in Greek dishes, crumbled over salads and added to a variety of other dishes. You can usually find packaged feta cheese in the dairy section of your local grocery store, although many shops carry freshly-made feta stored in brine.
Calories
One ounce of feta cheese contains 75 calories. Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, this accounts for 3.7 percent of the calories you should consume each day. While you may opt to consume feta cheese plain as a snack, it is more commonly served with olives or crackers, or it may be part of a larger recipe.
Fat and Cholesterol
Most of the calories in feta cheese come from fat -- 72 percent of them. Of the 6 g of fat in an ounce of feta, 1.3 g are from monounsaturated fat and 0.2 g are from polyunsaturated fat. Both of these types of fat are relatively healthy. The remaining 4.5 g of fat are saturated, the type of fat that can increase your risk of coronary heart disease. You'll get 25.3 mg of cholesterol in an ounce of feta cheese. Both saturated fats and dietary cholesterol may contribute to clogged arteries, which can lead to heart disease.
Protein and Carbohydrates
A 1-oz. serving of feta cheese serves as a good source of protein, containing 4 g. You'll also take in 1.2 g of carbohydrates in this size serving. Both protein and carbohydrates contribute toward your body's supply of energy, but they have other functions as well. Carbohydrates help keep your central nervous system, kidneys and muscles functioning at top level and protein helps build muscles and produces enzymes and hormones.
Vitamins and Minerals
You'll consume approximately 14 percent of the daily recommended intake of both calcium and vitamin B2 in an ounce of feta cheese. While calcium works to strengthen your bones and teeth, vitamin B2, or riboflavin, protects your body from free radical damage. It also plays a critical role in promoting good vision. The University of Maryland Medical Center website cites preliminary evidence correlating vitamin B2 with the prevention of cataracts.
Considerations
Feta cheese may not be the best option for low-sodium diets. Each ounce of feta contains 316.9 mg of sodium, 21.1 percent of the recommended limit of 1,500 mg per day. Consuming too much sodium can result in water retention, a condition also known as edema, which can interfere with your daily activities. Excess sodium can also lead to high blood pressure.
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