Parmesan Cheese

Cheese, Parmesan, Grated

Source: USDA Nutrient Database. Protein daily value based on ISSN Position Stand for an individual weighing ~150 lbs.

Parmesan cheese FAQ

Table of Contents

• Is parmesan cheese gluten free?
• Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?
• Is parmesan cheese halal?
• Is parmesan cheese ketogenic (keto)?
• Is parmesan cheese vegan?
• Is parmesan cheese low FODMAP?
• Is parmesan cheese high in fat?
• Is parmesan cheese high in protein?
• Is parmesan cheese high in saturated fat?
• Is parmesan cheese high in potassium?
• Does parmesan cheese contain lactose?
• Is parmesan cheese high in histamine?
• Is parmesan cheese paleo?
• Is parmesan cheese kosher?
• Is parmesan cheese high in cholesterol?
• Is parmesan cheese high in sodium?

Is parmesan cheese gluten free?

Yes, parmesan cheese is naturally gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in certain grains like wheat, barley, and rye but is not present in cheese. However, always check the label if you have severe gluten-intolerance or celiac disease as some cheese can be cross-contaminated with gluten during processing.

Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?

Not always. Traditional Parmesan cheese is usually not vegetarian as it’s made with animal rennet, which is an enzyme derived from the stomachs of calves. However, there are vegetarian versions of parmesan cheese that use microbial or vegetable rennet instead. Check the label or contact the manufacturer to confirm.

Is parmesan cheese halal?

Not all types of parmesan cheese are halal. The production of traditional Parmesan, also known as Parmigiano Reggiano, requires the use of animal rennet. But if the cheese is labelled halal or if it uses microbial or vegetarian rennet, it could be halal. Always check the certification or contact the manufacturer.

Is parmesan cheese ketogenic (keto)?

Yes, Parmesan cheese is keto-friendly. A one-ounce serving (around 28 grams) contains only about 1 gram of carbohydrates, and the recommended daily amount for a strict keto diet is less than 20 grams of net carbs. Parmesan cheese is also high in fat and moderate in protein, which aligns with the macronutrient needs of a keto diet.

Is parmesan cheese vegan?

No, parmesan cheese is not vegan. This cheese is made using animal rennet – an enzyme found in the stomach of calves to help them break down mother’s milk.

Is parmesan cheese low FODMAP?

Yes, parmesan cheese is low in FODMAPs. FODMAPS are a collection of short-chain carbohydrates that some people cannot digest. Only trace amounts of FODMAPs are found in parmesan cheese, about 0.02 grams per serving, which is well below the threshold to be considered low FODMAP.

Is parmesan cheese high in fat?

Yes, parmesan cheese is high in fat. For example, a 1-ounce serving (about 28 grams) of parmesan cheese contains about 7.3 grams of fat. The daily recommended intake (DRI) of fat per day for a 2000 kcal diet is approximately 70 grams, so that serving size would make up around 10% of the daily intake.

Is parmesan cheese high in protein?

Yes, parmesan cheese is high in protein. A 1-ounce serving provides about 10 grams of protein. The DRI for protein is 50 grams per day for a typical adult, so a serving of parmesan cheese will provide about 20% of an adult’s daily protein needs.

Is parmesan cheese high in saturated fat?

Yes, parmesan cheese is relatively high in saturated fats. For every 100 grams of parmesan cheese, there’s about 14.5 grams of saturated fats. Considering that the recommended daily value for saturated fats is around 20 grams (based on a 2000 calorie diet), a portion of parmesan cheese can contribute significantly to this limit.

Is parmesan cheese high in potassium?

Yes, Parmesan cheese is a good source of potassium. A 100-gram portion of parmesan cheese contains approximately 152 milligrams of potassium. This represents around 3% of the recommended daily intake of 4700 milligrams.

Does parmesan cheese contain lactose?

Parmesan cheese contains trace amounts of lactose. The maturation process used to make parmesan cheese essentially eliminates most, if not all, of the lactose. As such, Parmesan cheese is often well-tolerated by those who have lactose intolerance.

Is parmesan cheese high in histamine?

Yes, Parmesan cheese does contain a higher level of histamines compared to some other cheeses. This is a result of the fermentation process it undergoes during production, which can provoke histamine formation. Those with histamine intolerance should limit or avoid consumption of parmesan cheese.

Is parmesan cheese paleo?

The paleo diet typically excludes dairy products, and parmesan cheese falls under this category. Therefore, parmesan cheese is generally not considered a part of the paleo diet.

Is parmesan cheese kosher?

For a cheese such as parmesan to be considered kosher, it must be produced with kosher-approved ingredients and under the supervision of a knowledgeable rabbi. Many brands do not meet this requirement so not all parmesan cheese is kosher. However, there are specific brands that produce kosher parmesan cheese, such as Miller’s Cheese and Organic Valley.

Is parmesan cheese high in cholesterol?

Parmesan cheese does contain a significant amount of cholesterol. About one ounce (28 grams) of parmesan cheese has around 29 milligrams of cholesterol. This represents approximately 10% of the recommended daily value of cholesterol, which is set at 300 milligrams per day. Therefore, parmesan cheese could be considered relatively high in cholesterol, especially if consumed in large amounts.

Is parmesan cheese high in sodium?

Compared to some other foods, parmesan cheese is high in sodium. One ounce (28 grams) of parmesan cheese contains around 449 milligrams of sodium. The American Heart Association recommends an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 milligrams per day, so one ounce of parmesan cheese could represent almost a third of that recommended limit. Therefore, yes, parmesan cheese is considered high in sodium.