To not sound tacky, however Parmesan is in its It woman period—and it’s doing much more than merely topping off your pasta of alternative. For starters, dairy as a complete has been elevated—actually—to top-tier standing (alongside protein and wholesome fat) in RFK Jr.’s new meals pyramid. Parmigiano Reggiano reportedly signed with mega expertise company UTA in November for product placement in movies and TV exhibits (unusual however true). Huge Parma’s additionally bought a maintain of proteinmaxxers throughout Instagram and TikTok, with followers touting blocks of the “king of cheese” as “the best protein bar cash can purchase.”
The high-protein hype has reached a fever pitch, and Parmesan cheese is wiggling its method into the cultural dialog. However is consuming it by the handful actually the life hack we didn’t know we wanted?
Why this pattern is smart…at first
Because it’s shelf-stable, Parmesan is gym-bag pleasant and desk-drawer prepared (when you’re prepared to courageous curious glances from onlookers). Proponents additionally name out that it might embody much less components and is due to this fact extra “actual” than your normal protein bar. Certain, it’s at all times good to goal to get extra entire meals into your weight loss program. Plus, the claims round its sturdy protein content material truly do take a look at.
Per the United States Division of Agriculture (USDA), exhausting Parmesan affords over 35 grams of protein per 100 grams (consider a wedge that’s a bit thicker and greater than a deck of playing cards). It’s an enormous payoff by way of weight alone, far outpacing famed protein sources like lean floor beef and hen breast primarily based on the identical 100-gram yield, which comprise 18.2 and 22.5 grams, respectively. For that reason—to not point out its delectable salty and umami tastes and crumbly texture—the rebrand of Parmesan as a dupe for a protein bar sounds too good to be true, particularly when you already eat it on the common.
Parmesan cheese can be a superb supply of bone-building calcium. It packs 1,180 milligrams per 100-gram block, surpassing the really useful day by day consumption of 1,000 milligrams for adults as much as age 50 (and a hair shy of the really useful 1,200 milligrams for older adults). One other perk related to Parmesan cheese is its minimal quantity of lactose, says Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN, a Brooklyn-based dietitian, which makes it enticing for anybody who’s lactose illiberal or delicate to dairy.
Must you eat Parmesan as a high-protein snack?
If you happen to’re something like me, you’re crossing your fingers for a convincing sure. But as is the case with most social media developments that promise fast fixes on your well being and well-being, this one’s greatest approached with warning. Pasquariello affords a actuality test: “Parmesan may be very palatable and versatile in terms of its use in recipes, however I undoubtedly wouldn’t name it a protein or nutrient powerhouse, and I wouldn’t devour it as a protein bar,” she says.
