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parmesan
Dairy & Alternatives
Trigger checker for parmesan
See parmesan rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.
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Compare parmesan across criteria
Sensitivities
What parmesan contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where parmesan fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about parmesan
A wedge of real parmesan is one of the most concentrated trigger foods in the kitchen. Two years of aging drive its histamine, tyramine and free glutamate up together, which is exactly why it earns the nickname "the migraine cheese". Oddly for such a strong cheese it is low in lactose, but it is loaded with casein, and because it is set with animal rennet it is not vegetarian.
Watch for
- Extremely high in tyramine, the amine most tied to cheese-triggered migraine and to dangerous reactions on MAOI medication
- Very high in histamine and also a histamine liberator, a double hit that makes it one of the hardest cheeses for histamine intolerance
- A natural source of free glutamate, the umami compound that can act like MSG for people who react to it
- Low in lactose thanks to long aging, but very high in casein, and set with animal rennet so it is not vegetarian
Explore related in Dairy & Alternatives
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for parmesan?
Medium FODMAP: portion size matters more than the ingredient itself.
Is parmesan generally well tolerated?
Histamine (Avoid) and Histamine Liberators (Avoid) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Dairy & Alternatives group.