
Cheddar and Parmesan are two of the most popular cheeses globally, with the former being the most popular in the UK and the second most popular in the US. Both cheeses are made from cow's milk and are rich in calcium and protein. However, they differ in terms of origin, taste, texture, and nutritional content. This article will focus on the nutritional differences between the two, specifically addressing the question: Is Parmesan cheese less fattening than Cheddar?.
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What You'll Learn

Cheddar has 27% more saturated fat than parmesan
Cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese are both high in calories, with cheddar containing 403 calories per 100g and parmesan containing 392 calories per 100g. However, when it comes to saturated fat content, cheddar contains 27% more saturated fat than parmesan. Cheddar has 18.9g of saturated fat per 100g, while parmesan has 14.9g. This means that parmesan is a slightly better option in terms of reducing saturated fat intake.
Both cheeses are rich in calcium, with parmesan containing 67% more calcium than cheddar per 100g. Parmesan has 1184mg of calcium, while cheddar has 710mg. Calcium is essential for bone and teeth health, and both cheeses are good sources of this nutrient.
In addition to calcium, parmesan is also a good source of phosphorus, containing 16% of the daily value per ounce. Phosphorus, along with calcium, plays an important role in bone formation and health. Parmesan also has a higher iron content, with 0.82mg per 100g compared to 0.14mg in cheddar.
Cheddar, on the other hand, is a good source of vitamin K2, which is important for heart health. Vitamin K2 helps prevent calcium buildup in arteries and veins, reducing the risk of heart disease. Cheddar also contains more vitamin A, with 63% more than parmesan per 100g.
When it comes to cholesterol, parmesan has the upper hand again, containing 31% less cholesterol than cheddar. Parmesan has 68mg of cholesterol per 100g, while cheddar contains 99mg.
In summary, while both cheeses are high in calories and saturated fat, parmesan has a slightly lower saturated fat content. However, both cheeses offer different nutritional benefits, with parmesan being higher in calcium, phosphorus, and iron, while cheddar is a better source of vitamin K2 and vitamin A.
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Parmesan has 67% more calcium than cheddar
Parmesan and cheddar are both hard cheeses made from cow's milk. They are both rich in calcium, but Parmesan has 67% more calcium than cheddar. Parmesan has 1184mg of calcium per 100 grams, while cheddar has 710mg.
Both cheeses are also high in protein, but Parmesan has 60% more protein than cheddar. Parmesan has 35.8g of protein per 100 grams, while cheddar has 22.9g. Parmesan is also a good source of phosphorus, with 16% of the daily value per ounce (28 grams). Phosphorus, along with calcium, is important for bone formation and may promote bone health.
Cheddar, on the other hand, is a good source of vitamin K2, which is important for heart health. Vitamin K2 helps prevent calcium buildup in the arteries and veins, reducing the risk of heart disease. Cheddar also has more vitamin A, with 63% more than Parmesan.
In terms of calories, Parmesan and cheddar are quite similar, with Parmesan having slightly fewer calories per 100 grams. Parmesan has 392 calories, while cheddar has 403 calories. However, cheddar has a reduced-fat version that contains 30% less fat than the standard variety.
When it comes to taste and usage, Parmesan has a rich, salty, and nutty flavour, while cheddar has a sharp taste. Parmesan is often grated over pasta dishes, stirred into soups, or eaten on its own. Cheddar is a popular cheese in the UK and is used in a wide variety of recipes, including sandwiches and cheeseboards.
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Parmesan has 486% more iron than cheddar
While Cheddar and Parmesan cheese vary slightly in nutritional values, both are a good source of calcium and iron, have no added sugar, but are very high in saturated fat and sodium.
Parmesan cheese has 486% more iron than cheddar cheese. Parmesan has 0.82mg of iron per 100 grams, while cheddar has 0.14mg. Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese with a gritty texture and a salty, nutty flavour. Cheddar, on the other hand, is semi-hard and sharp-tasting, ranging in colour from pale yellow to off-white.
In addition to being rich in protein and calcium, cheddar is a source of vitamin K2, which is important for heart and bone health. Vitamin K2 prevents calcium from building up in your arteries and veins, reducing the risk of heart disease. Parmesan is also rich in calcium, with 67% more calcium than cheddar. Parmesan has 1184mg of calcium per 100 grams, while cheddar has 710mg.
When it comes to calories, Parmesan has slightly fewer calories than Cheddar. Parmesan has 392 calories per 100 grams, while Cheddar has 403 calories. However, Cheddar has a reduced-fat version that contains 30% less fat than the standard variety. Parmesan is also a good source of phosphorus, which, along with calcium, plays a role in bone formation and may promote bone health.
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Cheddar has 63% more vitamin A than parmesan
Cheddar and Parmesan cheese have slightly different nutritional values. While both are a good source of calcium and iron, they are also very high in saturated fat and sodium.
Cheddar cheese, which originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese. Its colour ranges from pale yellow to off-white, and it is slightly crumbly. Cheddar is made with cow's milk and is matured for several months. The taste varies from mild to extra sharp, depending on the length of ageing and origin. Cheddar is rich in vitamin K2, which prevents calcium from building up in arteries and veins, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Cheddar also contains vitamin A, with 337 micrograms per 100 grams, which is 63% more than Parmesan.
Parmesan, on the other hand, is a hard, granular Italian cheese with a rich, savoury (umami) taste. It is typically straw-coloured. Parmesan is also made from cow's milk, but it is mixed with naturally skimmed milk and aged for 12 to 16 months. It has a strong flavour, so a smaller amount is needed. Parmesan is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which promote bone health. It is also a source of vitamin A, with 207 micrograms per 100 grams.
In summary, while both cheeses have their own unique characteristics and nutritional profiles, Cheddar stands out for its higher content of vitamin A, providing 63% more than Parmesan.
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Parmesan has 60% more protein than cheddar
Parmesan and cheddar cheese are both high in calories and protein. However, parmesan has 60% more protein than cheddar. Parmesan has 35.8g of protein per 100g, while cheddar has 22.9g of protein per 100g.
Both cheeses are also rich in calcium, with parmesan containing 70% more calcium than cheddar. Parmesan has 1184mg of calcium per 100g, while cheddar has 710mg of calcium per 100g. Parmesan is also a good source of phosphorus, with 16% of the daily value per ounce (28g).
In addition, parmesan has less cholesterol and saturated fat than cheddar. Parmesan has 68mg of cholesterol per 100g and 14.9g of saturated fat per 100g, while cheddar has 99mg of cholesterol per 100g and 18.9g of saturated fat per 100g.
When it comes to vitamins, cheddar is rich in vitamin K2, which is important for heart and bone health. It helps prevent calcium buildup in arteries and veins, reducing the risk of heart disease. Parmesan, on the other hand, contains vitamin A and has a strong flavour, so a small amount can go a long way.
In terms of origin, parmesan is a hard Italian cheese made from cow's milk, while cheddar is a semi-hard English cheese, also made from cow's milk. Parmesan is typically aged for 12-16 months, giving it a rich, savoury flavour. Cheddar, on the other hand, varies in flavour depending on its ageing time and origin.
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Frequently asked questions
Parmesan cheese has 392 calories in 100g, while Cheddar cheese has 403 calories in 100g. Cheddar cheese also has 27% more saturated fat than Parmesan cheese. Therefore, Parmesan cheese is less fattening than Cheddar cheese.
Yes, Parmesan cheese can be a good substitute for Cheddar cheese. It has a strong flavour, so you can use a smaller amount than you would with Cheddar cheese. It also has a similar number of calories and is lower in saturated fat.
Some other low-fat cheeses include Swiss cheese, goat cheese, part-skim mozzarella, and cottage cheese.

























