Cheese, parmesan, hard & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 1.4 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 1.4/100g · GI 44 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Response at a Glance
Key Nutrition Data
How This Version Compares
For saturated fat, this one sits in the middle of its Cheese family: 14.8 per 100g against a 13.3-19.1 per 100g spread. On sugar, this version lands mid-range: 0.1 per 100g, inside a family spread of 0 to 0.9 per 100g.
Glycemic load across the 5-item Cheese group runs 0.6 to 6.1 per 100g, so the version matters as much as the food. See the numbers side by side: Grated, Low sodium, Shredded.
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Saturated Fat
Cheese, parmesan, hard contains 21.1g of saturated fat per serving — above the 5g threshold recommended by the ADA and AHA. High saturated fat intake is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, consider it an occasional choice rather than a daily staple.
ADA Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management (2024). Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1). · AHA Dietary Guidelines.
⚠️ High Sodium
Cheese, parmesan, hard provides 1668mg of sodium per serving — significant relative to the ADA's daily recommendation of <2,300mg. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk in diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices throughout the rest of the day.
ADA recommends <2,300mg sodium per day for most adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1), 2024.
Lower-GL Alternatives
🥛 Butter, salted
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Butter, salted & diabetes →🥛 Butter, without salt
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Butter, without salt & diabetes →🥛 Cheese, Mexican blend
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Cheese, Mexican blend & diabetes →🥛 Cheese, goat, semisoft type
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Cheese, goat, semisoft type & diabetes →Practical Guidance
💡 Balance Sodium
Pair with low-sodium foods throughout the rest of your day. Fresh herbs and spices can replace salt as flavoring.
💡 Check Your Own Response
Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.
💡 Glycemic Load Over Glycemic Index
GL accounts for both the speed AND amount of carbohydrate, making it more practical for real-world eating than GI alone.
💡 Pair Carbs With Protein
Adding protein to a carbohydrate-containing meal slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 71g | 2.3g | 1.0 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 142g | 4.6g | 2.0 | Friendly |
| Restaurant Portion | 284g | 9.1g | 4.0 | Friendly |
GL ≤10 = Low (Friendly) · 11–19 = Moderate · ≥20 = High (Limit).
The page-level verdict is based on GL per 100g; this table shows how portion size changes the actual GL you get.
Questions People Ask
Is Cheese parmesan hard good for diabetes?
Cheese parmesan hard is rated diabetes-friendly (GL 1.4) based on available glycemic data. A standard serving is unlikely to cause a sharp blood glucose rise, but individual responses differ.
How much GL does Cheese parmesan hard have per serving?
The glycemic load of Cheese parmesan hard is 1.4 per 100g. GL is calculated by multiplying the GI (44) by the available carbohydrates (3.2g) and dividing by 100.
How quickly does Cheese parmesan hard raise blood sugar?
The primary way Cheese parmesan hard affects blood sugar is through its carbohydrate content (3.2g/100g). With a GI of 44 (low) and limited fiber, this produces an overall GL of 1.4 (Low).
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 44 for Cheese parmesan hard is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Dairy and Egg Products category from the International GI Tables (Atkinson et al., 2021). Actual GI may vary by variety, ripeness, cooking method, and individual response. We display estimated values with full transparency so you can make informed decisions.
Is the sodium level a concern?
Cheese parmesan hard contains 1668mg of sodium per serving — well above the ADA's recommendation of <2,300mg daily. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk — the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices during the rest of the day. Fresh herbs, spices, and citrus can replace salt as flavoring.
What about the saturated fat content?
At 21.1g of saturated fat per serving, Cheese parmesan hard exceeds the 5g threshold that the ADA and AHA recommend for diabetes and heart health. Saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, it is best as an occasional choice rather than a daily staple. Prioritize foods with unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, fish) for everyday eating.
Methodology & Sources
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 44 — subcategory_avg:Dairy and Egg Products. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 142.0g) = 1.4 × 142.0 ÷ 100 = 2.0
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 170848. Data are in the public domain (CC0 1.0).
GL Classification: ≤10 = Low (Low GL), 11–19 = Moderate (Eat in Moderation), ≥20 = High (Limit). Based on University of Sydney Glycemic Index Foundation classification.
⚠️ GI value is estimated, not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. Actual GI may vary by variety, cooking method, and individual glycemic response.
Cite this page: GlycemicWise. “Cheese, parmesan, hard — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/cheese-parmesan-hard/
Dietary reference — not medical advice. This page provides evidence-based dietary reference information for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual blood sugar responses vary significantly. Always check your blood glucose to understand your personal response to foods, and talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Data sources are cited above and publicly available from the USDA and the University of Sydney Glycemic Index Research Service.