Finishing your training session and reaching for a protein bar may be standard post-workout nutrition protocol for us, but influencers on TikTok have swapped their bars for blocks of parmesan cheese. Not being put off by the pungent smell, the trend is mostly followed by those who are fans of the carnivore diet, who say that opting for parmesan cheese is a ‘healthier‘ way of hitting your protein goals.
But, how does it really whey up? We give our MH verdict on the trend’s benefits for health, muscle growth and weight loss goals.
Parmesan Cheese Vs Protein Bars
Content creators believe that the macros of parmesan cheese are superior to protein bars and that parmesan ‘tastes better than any protein bar on the market’. Let’s take a look:
Parmesan cheese, 100 grams:
Grenade Carb Killa protein bar, 100 grams:
- Calories: 370-376 kcal
- Protein: 33g
- Net carbs (excluding polyols): 6-7g
- Sugars: 2.2-2.5g
- Fats: 15-16g
- Saturated fat: 8.5-9g
- Fibre: 4.1-5.7g
- Salt: 0.14-0.48g
As we can see from the nutritional values, parmesan cheese and protein bars differ slightly in composition. Parmesan is higher in calories, high in protein and fat, with minimal carbs and is considerably higher salt and saturated fat. In contrast, protein bars are a little lower in calories – they’re still high in protein, although a little lower than parmesan – and have less fat but more carbs.
The MH Verdict
Most influencers opt for parmesan due to it being a ‘whole-food’ and lower in carbs. While it may have fewer ingredients, the higher salt and saturated fat doesn’t make it the healthier option. Consumed in large quantities, saturated fat and salt have been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Protein bars are convenient, lower in calories, fat, and still high in protein.
Both choices will support your muscle-building goals due to their protein content. However, if you have weight loss goals, protein bars would likely be the better choice due to the lower calorie content.
Choosing between parmesan and protein bars depends on your goals and preferences. Ideally, either are best enjoyed in moderation, and a focus on low fat protein sources in a well balanced diet is best for optimal health and muscle growth.
Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.
