Looking for an easy raclette recipe? Perfect for a casual evening meal or a festive weekend get-together, this healthy new take on raclette would be welcome.
A French raclette is a meal that usually consists of potatoes, meat and cheese. The cheese is melted and then poured over the other ingredients. While French raclette can be a delicious and satisfying meal, it is also high in calories. A typical portion of raclette can contain over 1500 calories. This is due to the high fat content of cheese and the addition of other fatty ingredients such as meat or cold cuts. People watching their calorie intake should therefore know how many calories a French raclette contains before indulging. Otherwise, they can consider making this gourmet meal less caloric thanks to these 5 tips:
Have fun, but not too much.
Raclette is a hearty meal and it’s easy to overeat. To avoid this, take your time to savor each bite. Chew slowly so your brain has time to register that you are full. Toast your cheese slices one at a time, limiting yourself to six slices total. As for charcuterie, aim for 125 to 150g. So you can enjoy the meal without overdoing it. And who knows? You may even find that you enjoy this meal even more when you are not full.
Choose your cheese wisely.
As any cheese lover knows, one of the best things about cheese is its rich, creamy texture. However, this creamy texture comes at a price: calories. Cheese is notoriously high in fat and calories, which can add up quickly if you’re not careful. One way to enjoy cheese without gaining weight is to choose lower calorie options.
For example, raclette cheese is a delicious melting cheese that is often used in fondue, but it is also very high in calories. A better option would be cancoillotte cheese, which has a similar taste and texture but is much lower in calories. You can also try mozzarella, goat cheese or ricotta. These cheeses are all lower in calories but still offer a lot of flavor. You can also vary the amounts by heating your potatoes in a small pan with small pieces of cheese. So you can enjoy the taste of cheese without going over the calories.
Choose vegetables instead of potatoes.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to potatoes, why not try roasting vegetables instead? Sweet potatoes, eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, and squash are all good choices that go just as well with cheese as they do with potatoes. And not only are vegetables lower in calories than potatoes, but they’ll help you feel fuller for longer.
Avoid processed meat and choose white meat.
When it comes to choosing good quality meat, it is important to consider both its nutritional value and its taste. For example, processed meats are high in sodium and preservatives. For a healthier alternative, substitute skinless chicken breast, turkey chops or rabbit. This type of meat is much less caloric, as it can bring another irresistible flavor to your healthy raclette.
Add some fresh vegetables to your plate.
The next time you sit down to enjoy a delicious raclette, don’t forget to add some fresh vegetables to your plate. A few slices of tomato or steamed broccoli are great to add some color and nutrition to your meal. Not only will you get the benefits of fresh produce, but you will further cut calories.
What is also important to mention is consuming less alcohol.
Alcohol is often considered a necessary accompaniment to raclette, but it can actually add a significant amount of calories to the meal. Try to limit your alcohol consumption to make your raclette healthier.
We’ve covered the most important changes to your traditional raclette to reduce calories by 1500 to 600 on average. Enjoy your lunch!