Can You Eat Cheese and Lose Weight?
Eat cheese, lose weight. Wait, what? YES! Ok, it’s not carte blanche to eat as much as you want or can. However, Feta PDO is big on flavor but low in fat and calories.
Feta PDO is a lot of “bang for the buck.” Its full flavor means you don’t need as much as you would with many other types of dairy products. Read on to learn more!
What Does PDO Mean?
First up, what’s PDO? PDO means Protected Designated Origin.
The simplest way to explain this is to consider Champagne. Only sparkling wine from the region of Champagne, France can be called Champagne. Sparkling wine from anywhere else cannot be legally nor rightfully be called Champagne. The European Union, made of 27 countries, each with multiple culinary and agricultural traditions, has codified many of these into rules and regulations based on the often ancient and time-honored history of the making of these products.
The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) indication identifies a product originating from a certain region, area or, in some exceptional cases, a country and whose quality or characteristics are mainly, or exclusively, due to the particular geographical environment.
The end result is that you want to only buy Feta PDO. Frankly, in my mind, eating fake feta or non-Feta PDO is the equivalent of using the “green can of parmesan” instead of Parmigiano Reggiano. Yes, I said it.
What Kind of Cheese is Feta?
The traditional method of producing Feta PDO is linked directly to the specific climatic conditions of Greece. With its steep mountainsides and its hot and dry climate, there was little land suitable for widespread cattle rearing. Instead, the Greek people turned to hardy sheep and goats that could thrive in these difficult conditions.
Feta PDO, authentic Greek cheese, is made from fresh or pasteurized sheep’s milk or sheep’s milk and up to 30% goats milk. These kinds of milk, more robust in flavor than cow’s milk are what give Feta PDO a slight peppery taste.
The world lost its mind several years ago when a tiktokker baked a block with cherry tomatoes and added pasta. There were dairies in Greece that ran out of Feta cheese.
Salty and slightly acidic, Feta PDO is a cheese with a history as rich as its taste. A true product of its environment, its recipe and production method reflect the unique terrain of Greece and are grounded in the cumulative know-how of more than two thousand years.
Feta cheese is mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey! It is one of the oldest cheeses on record.
What are the Health Benefits of Feta Cheese
Feta is lower in fat than many other kinds of cheese and is a good option to eat in moderation.
- Great source of calcium
- High in protein
- Feta cheese contains beneficial microbes including yeasts and bacteria which may help support gut health.
Yes, you can eat cheese and lose weight or maintain a healthy weight — or any weight you want!
To learn more about Feta PDO please check out my video on Instagram.
Point it Out
If you are a WW follower, 1 ounce of Feta PDO is about 3 points. I don’t mind splurging a bit with these zucchini roll-ups because they are so good.
Bon Appétit Y’all
Virginia Willis
PS Need another zucchini recipe? Check out my Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles!
Marinated Feta and Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 6 ounces Feta PDO cheese cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
- Finely grated zest of 1 orange
- 1 garlic finely grated or chopped
- 1/2 cup best-quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 sprigs dill more for serving
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 4 small zucchini
- Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the feta in a sealable airtight container or glass jar. Add the cumin, coriander, red pepper, orange zest, garlic, and olive oil. Tuck in the dill and bay leaves. Tilt or stir to coat and combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Meanwhile, prepare a charcoal fire using about 6 pounds charcoal and burn until the coals are completely covered with a thin coating of light gray ash, 20 to 30 minutes. Spread the coals evenly over the grill bottom, position the grill rack above the coals, and heat until medium-hot (when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill surface for no longer than 3 or 4 seconds). Or, for a gas grill, turn on all burners to high, close the lid, and heat until very hot, 10 to 15 minutes. Lastly, heat a grill pan over medium high heat.
- When ready to grill, slice 4 small zucchini lengthwise into even strips about 1/2 inch thick. Brush both sides of each strip with some of the seasoned feta oil. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- When cool enough to touch, roll up 1 feta square inside each strip of zucchini. Secure with a toothpick or skewer. Remove to a warmed serving place. Garnish with additional dill and serve immediately.
- Place on the grill and cook until just tender and lightly charred, about 3 minutes. Turn the zucchini over and cook until the strips soften, about 2 minutes more. Remove to a rack to cool slightly.
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Hi there, assuming after grilling Zuchs, let cool to room temperature, place a feta square, roll up and secure with a pick? Do you drizzle any of the oil over the roll ups?
Hey! Thanks for reading! 🙏🏻 Yes, well, cool enough to handle. I don’t normally drizzle, but it’s a yummy idea!!