Giada De Laurentiis Says This Italian Cheese Is Her Go-To Protein Snack

2 min read

Protein has become the macronutrient du jour, with agriculture giant Cargill reporting last year that 61 percent of consumers said they increased their protein intake for the “health benefits and nutritional profile.” While many people are reaching for protein powders, cottage cheese, and store-bought protein bars, chef Giada De Laurentiis has an even better idea. It’s both delicious and utterly Italian.

On Monday, the food personality shared on her Instagram account that her favorite go-to, protein-filled snack is a nice chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano.

“I’ve been hearing about the protein bar craze for so long now, it’s all over my social media, everywhere, and I was talking to Jade (her daughter) about it the other day, and this is my protein bar,” she said, holding up a block of cheese in the air with pride. “To be honest, I’ve been eating this since I was a kid.”

Biting into the cheese, she went on to say, “It’s my favorite kind of snack. It is clean and [has] no junky ingredients. You don’t know what you’re getting in those protein bars.”

She noted that her particular version was made with minimal ingredients, adding that the cows that make it “eat spring grass, the milk is cooked in these beautiful copper pots, and it’s aged a minimum of 12 months — my favorite is 24 — but it’s good, it’s salty, it’s like the perfect little bit of protein.” (No word, on the exact brand or dairy farm that makes Giada’s Parmigiano Reggiano.)

What’s more, “You can finish meals with it or snack on it—Italian hack. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, and I’m telling you, it’s the best one.”

Followers seemed to be genuinely excited about this genius protein tip.

“The best protein bar you can get,” a commenter wrote. “One ingredient, super delicious and my go-to protein bar as well.”

“So true! A hack to share with my midlife clients as well!” said another. “Great way to add protein to so many meals too.”

Giada’s got it all figured out by the way: Parmigiano-Reggiano has an impressive 10 grams of protein in a single ounce, per the Cleveland Clinic. That’s roughly a quarter to a third of a cup of shredded cheese.

Need more of a reason to snack? Parmigiano-Reggiano is also high in calcium, lactose-free, and packed with good-for-your-gut probiotics. So, break off a piece, then try these other high-protein cheeses for good measure.