Protein is the undisputed king of the modern diet.Amid the 'proteinmaxxing' craze, many are stocking up on protein-packed ice cream, pasta and even Doritos.But now, some Americans have taken it to the next level - biting into chunks of parmesan cheese to meet their protein goals. One influencer is even carrying around a 31-pound block of the cheese in her Prada handbag. 'I'm over protein bars - switching to full blocks of parmesan,' one individual said on TikTok. 'Parmesan is nature's protein bar,' added another on X.Normally grated over pasta, salads and mixed into soups, this staple of Italian cooking is famed for its rich and nutty flavor and is already a welcomed addition to many diets.Extremely popular among everyday folk and celebrities alike, Taylor Swift says it is a staple at home, while Martha Stewart has called it the 'king of cheeses', and Sydney Sweeney says she has a second refrigerator at home just for her parmesan wheels.But is this cheese really the answer to your protein woes? And with its high fat and calorie content, does it come with risks?We asked experts whether it was worth the hype. The above image shows Italian Olympic gymnast Giorgia Villa with a wheel of parmesan. She was commissioned to be the cheese's new ambassador in 2024 Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses are pictured above for sale in Texas grocery store