We have talked a lot about the virtues of Parmigiano Reggiano and the many benefits it provides to our bodies. But always in reference to adults. Do the rules remain the same for infants, children, or adolescents?
Starting from the known characteristics of the cheese, we know that during aging all its precious organoleptic characteristics develop, it becomes more digestible, and caseins are transformed into simple amino acids thanks to milk enzymes, making Parmigiano Reggiano perfect even for those who suffer from intolerances.
All these precious characteristics make it a cheese perfect also for the diet of children and adolescents.
Parmigiano Reggiano for infants, yes or no?
According to many doctors, Parmigiano Reggiano should be avoided for the first year of life, but after this period it is an exceptional food. The reasons?
Cheese is important in a child's diet first and foremost for its calcium and phosphorus content, essential minerals for the development of strong and healthy bones and teeth. The presence of vitamin B12, which supports the functioning of the nervous system and the production of red blood cells, and the presence of proteins in their most digestible form also make it an excellent support for the body. However, the reason why Parmigiano Reggiano should be avoided in the first 8/10 months of life is its high fat content. For this same reason, when using Parmesan in baby food, the recommended daily dose of one teaspoon of cheese, which corresponds to 5g, should not be exceeded.
Even in later years, and even in adulthood, it is always advisable not to overdo the consumption of Parmesan: 3-4 times a week and in small quantities are sufficient for a correct intake of calcium and many other precious nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, mineral salts, and essential amino acids.
The perfect Parmigiano aging for infants
Up to adolescence, the perfect aging periods for Parmigiano Reggiano are 24 and 36 months. The reasons are several:
- Consistency. These two aging periods have reached the perfect consistency to be easily grated, thus perfect for adding (even secretly) to broths, vegetable purees, etc.
- Lactose. As aging progresses, the amount of lactose present in Parmigiano Reggiano decreases more and more, virtually reaching zero. Since cases of intolerance/allergy are increasingly common, the absence of lactose therefore makes Parmigiano Reggiano ideal for everyone's diet.
Now that we have clarified that Parmigiano is an excellent cheese for young and old, all that remains is to let the whole family taste it! Try our Parmigiano Reggiano, handcrafted with only carefully selected milk.
