Overview
About Feta
Feta tells a different story from the hard aged cheeses.
It is a brined sheep and goat milk cheese, so the salting keeps its lactose lower, yet the fermentation still leaves it high in histamine and, unusually, it is a histamine liberator on top of that, plus high in tyramine. That combination means feta can bring on hives, flushing or a headache even in fairly small crumbles.
Sensitivities
How Feta scores
Watch for
What trips people up
- High in histamine from its brine fermentation, and separately a histamine liberator, meaning it also nudges your body to release its own histamine
- High in tyramine, so despite its soft fresh texture it sits with the aged cheeses as a migraine and MAOI-diet trigger
- Lower in lactose than cheddar or parmesan because of the brining, but still very high in casein and whey for a milk allergy
Diet fit
Where it fits
Swap ideas
More alternatives
FAQ
Common questions about Feta
Is feta lower in histamine than aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan?
Not really. Feta is fermented in brine, which keeps histamine high, and on top of that it acts as a histamine liberator, prompting your own histamine release. So while it feels fresher than a hard aged cheese, it is still a significant histamine trigger.
Is feta easier to tolerate for lactose intolerance?
Often yes. Brining draws out some of the lactose, so feta is generally lower in lactose than cheddar or parmesan. It remains high in casein and whey, though, so it is not suitable for a cow or sheep milk protein allergy.
Why does feta cause flushing or hives for some people?
Feta is both high in histamine and a histamine liberator, a combination that can cause hives, flushing or a headache. The liberator effect means it can trigger symptoms even when your overall histamine intake that day has been low.
References
Read the background
Ratings reflect the Triggerbites ingredient database and may vary with portion size and preparation.