Calories in Parmesan Cheese

We typically think of calories in a negative way, as something to avoid. But calories provide us with energy and essential nutrients we need in order to function every day. Parmigiano Reggiano® cheese has a great nutrient to calorie ratio, making it a responsible choice for calorie-conscious eating.

Parmesan Cheese Calories

It makes more sense to focus on making calories count in your diet. The values given on nutrition labels are based on a typical person’s 2000-calorie diet. With about 110 calories in each one-ounce serving, Parmigiano Reggiano® cheese serves up an impressive range of nutritional benefits.

Calcium Powerhouse

To help you visualize: A one-ounce serving is a bit larger than a one-inch cube, perfect for a snack. These all-natural Parmesan cheese calories supply nearly one-third of the typical person’s daily requirement of bone-building calcium. Growing children adolescents, women, athletes and seniors need even more calcium in their diets; eating parmesan cheese is an easy way to help meet their needs.

Lower Sodium

recipe02One tablespoon of grated Parmigiano Reggiano contains about 35 milligrams of sodium. Alternatives such as Pecorino Romano or dehydrated hard cheese in a shaker have about three times that much sodium!

More Nutrition Benefits

The calories in Parmesan cheese also supply high-quality proteins in easily digestible form. And they contribute a host of vitamins and minerals needed by our bodies to function smoothly including B12, a rich source of calcium, phosphorous, zinc and selenium. Parmesan cheese has a satisfyingly savory flavor that the Japanese call umami—the so-called “fifth taste.” Because the calories in Parmesan cheese contribute to satiety, a feeling of fullness, it’s an ideal food for people trying to lose weight.