Trader Joe’s Shredded Parmesan Cheese Alternative
Why It Scored This Way
Weak nutritional value, significant processing, or both make this product less supportive of a health-focused diet.
- Sodium
- Saturated Fat
- Protein
- Fiber
Verdict
Shredded Parmesan Cheese Alternative is a savory, plant-based topping used to add a salty finish to meals. Its main strength is a clean profile free of added sugars, while its main tradeoff is a high amount of saturated fat. Overall, it functions as a flavor-enhancing accent rather than a nutrient-dense food.
How to Use This
Best kept to limited use within a balanced diet, in controlled portions and not as a routine choice. Try it sprinkled over a hot bowl of pasta or as a garnish for a roasted vegetable medley.
Nutrition Overview
The nutrition panel shows a profile heavy in saturated fat and sodium with no protein or fiber. These values indicate a calorie-dense product intended for small amounts of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 | Per serving |
| Total Fat | 7g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Sodium | 380mg | 17% |
| Total Carbs | 8g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars | 0g | — |
| Added Sugars | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 0g | — |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium | 0mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 10mg | 0% |
Ingredient Analysis
The formulation is built from water, modified potato starch, and coconut oil. The inclusion of refined starches and natural flavors results in a highly processed composition designed to mimic the texture and shelf stability of hard cheese.
Ingredients
PARMESAN CHEESE ALTERNATIVE (WATER, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, COCONUT OIL, SALT, NATURAL FLAVORS, YEAST EXTRACT, TURMERIC OLEORESIN [FOR COLOR], ANNATTO EXTRACT [FOR COLOR]), PEA STARCH (ANTI-CAKING AGENT).
