You’d have to be sleeping under a rock not to know that the hottest topic in food for the last several years is protein. The kids’ favorite waffles? They’re loaded with protein now. Late-night chips? Sure, why not pack some protein in before bed? Sipping on soda at the movies? It might be protein-powered, too.
But while most of those snacks add protein through dairy-based isolates like casein and whey, or plant-based sources like peas or soy, some of your favorite snacks might already be rich in the stuff—no boosters needed.
Recently, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis took to Instagram to share her favorite “protein bar.” And I’ll give you a hint—it’s not the kind of bar you’re thinking.
Giada De Laurentiis’ Favorite Protein-Packed Snack
“I’ve been hearing about this protein bar craze for so long now,” the video starts. “This is my protein bar,” De Laurentiis proclaims, holding up a block of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
“I’ve been eating this since I was a kid, it’s my favorite kind of snack,” she continues, snacking on a hunk of cheese. “It’s good, it’s salty, it’s like the perfect little bit of protein.”
And you know what? De Laurentiis’ favorite “Italian hack” to get a little extra protein in is mine, too.
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese contains an impressive 32 to 34 grams of protein per 100 grams. For reference, 100 grams of chicken breast contains about 31 grams of protein, and 100 grams of Cheddar cheese contains about 23 grams of protein. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is not only a great source of protein, but it’s also an easily digestible one.
Credit: Mauro69/Getty Images
If you’re lactose intolerant like me, the thought of chomping down on cheese like a protein bar alone could unsettle the stomach. But during the aging process, milk enzymes and bacteria in the cheese gradually break down the casein proteins into smaller, more digestible ones, compared with those in milk and many fresh cheeses. That also means aged Parm is virtually lactose-free. If you’ve ever struggled with a grumbly stomach after taking protein powder, know that—against all odds—you would have likely been better off eating a chunk of cheese.
And none of this is news to Italians. In their home country, the snack has a long reputation as a great source of fuel for athletes. (Who can forget the photoshoot with Italian Olympic gymnast Giorgia Villa and the wheel of Parm that went viral?) In fact, Parmigiano Reggiano recently signed on as an official partner of the New York Jets—and if it’s good enough for NFL players, it’s certainly enough to support my less Herculean athletic efforts at the gym.
In Italy, blocks of Parmigiano Reggiano are frequently packaged on their own or with crackers as the ideal on-the-go snack. They’re sometimes even sold in vending machines. Just think of it as the Italian version of Protein Doritos.
Credit: Allrecipes/Courtney Kassel
Ever since traveling to Italy in the fall, I’ve gotten in the habit of eating a few pieces of Parm after a workout or throughout the day as a little snack. It’s salty, satisfying, and it certainly tastes a heck of a lot better than nine out of 10 protein bars. From here on out, you can just tell your friends and family that you’re actually fueling for a workout next time you Bogart the cheese on the charcuterie spread.
Read the original article on Allrecipes
Dining and Cooking