Crunchy, cheesy and flavorful, Parm crisps are a popular snack made from 100% Parmesan or Cheddar cheese.
Parm crisps are oven-baked and are thin, crispy and circular in shape. These are most popular as low-carb and gluten-free snack options.
Moreover, they come in many irresistible flavors such as Original, Sour cream & onion, Cheddar, Jalapeno etc.
But are Parm Crisps healthy?
Short answer: Parm Crisps are healthy as they are high in protein and calcium, gluten-free, and free of artificial additives. However, they are high in saturated fat and sodium. Therefore should be consumed in moderation.
Read on to find out more about Parm Crisps, including their ingredients, protein, calcium, sodium content and more.
Important note: Parm Crisps comes in different varieties such as Pouch, Snack mix and Tub. In this post, I will only talk about the Pouch variety.
Read also: Are Harvest Snaps Healthy? The Truth About These Snacks
What are Parm Crisps made up of?
Parm Crisps come in a range of delicious flavors.
Therefore, the exact ingredients can vary depending on the flavor.
In general, Parm Crisps are cheese-based snacks made from 100% Aged Parmesan cheese, a renowned Italian cheese with an exceptional flavor. This cheese is made from cow’s milk using traditional methods.
Parm Crisps also contain other ingredients across different flavors, such as:
- Onion
- Cassava flour
- Romano cheese
- Asiago cheese
- Provolone cheese
- Flax and poppy seeds
- Seasoning
Parm Crisps are gluten-free as they do not contain any grains.
In addition, they are sugar-free and do not contain any artificial flavoring, coloring or preservatives.
However, Parm Crisps are not Non-GMO certified.
So ingredients-wise, Parm Crisps can be considered good for health.
Are Parm Crisps high in protein?
Parm Crisps are an excellent source of protein, providing 10 to 13g per serving(28-29g), depending on the flavor.
That’s 500% more protein than Quaker rice crisps and similar protein in Whisps Cheese Crisps.
Protein is an essential part of the diet as it helps in building and repairing tissues, supporting the growth and maintenance of muscles and much more.
If you are on a muscle-building diet, Parm Crisps can be a great option to support your daily protein intake.
However, Parm Crisps fall short when it comes to fiber, and we can understand why because they are made with cheese, which is not a good source of fiber.
Here is the table showing the protein and fiber content of all Parm Crisps flavors.
| Parm Crisps flavor | Protein(g) | Fiber(g) |
|---|---|---|
| Original | 13 | 0 |
| Sour cream & onion | 13 | 0 |
| Four cheese | 13 | 0 |
| Cheddar | 10 | 0 |
| Everything | 13 | 1 |
| Jalapeno | 13 | 0 |
| Spicy queso | 10 | <1 |
Are Parm Crisps high in saturated fat?
Parm Crisps are high in saturated fat containing 6 to 8 per serving, depending on the flavor.
That’s roughly 50% of the daily saturated fat limit (13g) set by the American Heart Association.
Saturated fat has long been deemed bad fats due to their potential link to heart-related issues such as stroke and high cholesterol.
However, recent studies have shown that saturated fat does not increase the risk of heart disease when consumed through minimally or unprocessed foods.
Consuming saturated fat from processed foods like burgers, pizzas, biscuits, and cakes is bad for your health.
However, Parm Crisps are not highly processed food. They are made with mainly cheese and seasoning and do not contain any vegetable oils or artificial additives.
So saturated fats in Parm Crisps don’t pose serious health risks.
However, it is still important to consume Parm Crisps in moderation, especially if you are a sufferer of any heart disease.
Here is the table showing the saturated fat content of all Parm Crisps flavors.
| Parm Crisps flavor | Saturated fat(g) |
|---|---|
| Original | 7 |
| Sour cream & onion | 7 |
| Four cheese | 7 |
| Cheddar | 8 |
| Everything | 6 |
| Jalapeno | 7 |
| Spicy queso | 7 |
Are Parm Crisps high in sodium?
Parm Crisps are high in sodium containing 300 to 440mg per serving, depending on the flavor.
That’s about 20 to 29% of the daily ideal sodium limit(1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
On average, Parm crisps have approximately 140% more sodium than potato chips.
Sodium is an essential part of the diet, but too much of it can result in heart-related issues.
If you limit sodium intake, it’s best to avoid Parm Crisps or consume them in moderation.
Or you can also go for the Parm Crisps plant-based flavors as they are low in sodium.
Here is the table showing the sodium content of all Parm Crisps flavors.
| Parm Crisps flavor | Sodium(mg) |
|---|---|
| Original | 370 |
| Sour cream & onion | 370 |
| Four cheese | 340 |
| Cheddar | 300 |
| Everything | 440 |
| Jalapeno | 370 |
| Spicy queso | 320 |
Are Parm Crisps high in calcium?
Being made from cheese, Parm Crisps are an excellent source of calcium, providing 290 to 380mg per serving, depending on the flavor.
That’s about 29 to 38% of the daily recommended calcium (1000mg) for adults.
Calcium is an essential part of the diet as it helps strengthen bones and teeth. It is also involved in other functions, such as muscle contraction, nerve signalling, and blood clotting.
To compare, a single serving of Parm Crisps has more calcium than a single cup of cow’s milk or plain yogurt.
Here is the table showing the calcium content of all Parm Crisps flavors.
| Parm Crisps flavor | Calcium(mg) |
|---|---|
| Original | 380 |
| Sour cream & onion | 380 |
| Four cheese | 350 |
| Cheddar | 350 |
| Everything | 380 |
| Jalapeno | 380 |
| Spicy queso | 290 |
Are Parm Crisps gluten-free?
Parm Crisps are gluten-free as they do not contain grains or any other gluten-based ingredients.
They are pure cheese-based snacks.
Are Parm Crisps Keto?
Parm Crisps are keto-friendly, containing 1 to 4g of net carbs per serving.
In fact, Parm Crisps meet all the requirements for keto-friendly food, such as being low in net carbs and high in fat and protein.
Furthermore, they are also free of vegetable oils, sugar, and artificial sweeteners, all of which are prohibited in the keto diet.
Are Parm Crisps vegan?
The Parm Crisps pouch variety is not vegan as it contains Cheese made up of milk.
However, there’s a good news for vegans.
Parm Crisps also offer two flavors that are completely vegan.
These flavors include Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper, which are made using plant-based ingredients.
However, note that these flavors are low in protein with just 2g per serving.
Final words
Parm Crisps are indeed a delicious snacking option. However, like many other snacks, they also have positives and negatives.
Positives of Parm Crisps:
- They are a good source of protein.
- They are a good source of calcium.
- They are sugar-free.
- They are gluten-free.
- They are free from artificial additives.
Negatives of Parm Crisps:
- They are high in saturated fat.
- They are high in sodium.
- They are low in fiber.
- They are not suitable for vegans and are not Non-GMO.
So should you consume Parm Crisps?
For most people, Parm Crisps are a healthy snack option and can be consumed without any concern (up to one serving).
However, if you are someone with heart-related issues, it’s best to avoid or limit your consumption to very small.
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