Swiss cuisine is delicious and nutritious, and the harsh mountain nature in the Alps suggests that the dishes are filling. In general, they use a small number of ingredients, including mainly dairy products and meat, and vegetables – potatoes, cabbage, spinach and carrots. Also consumed legumes and rice.
At first glance, it seems that the traditional dishes of the mountaineers are not very dietary, but in the culinary traditions of the alpine country you can find very light dishes, salads and even fish. In fact, Switzerland is in Europe’s Top 3 in healthy eating after the Netherlands and France, according to an international study.
One of the main reasons for this is the high quality of local products and dishes. On this basis, we can safely say that the diet with Swiss cuisine is quite possible, although the temptations are many.
What can we eat if we are on a diet?
Authentic Swiss dishes today we can try in mountainous areas and small towns. The menu includes mainly dishes of cheese, eggs, milk, cream, vegetables and fruits.
The Swiss also love meat dishes, which they know how to prepare masterfully. In Switzerland, bakery is highly developed and each region bakes its own bread products from quality flour, locally produced.
The Swiss hold their national cuisine very much in addition to being delicious, it is also very useful, and for this reason they carefully select the ingredients for each dish. The products often reach restaurants and homes directly from the farms.
This guarantees their quality and always provides fresh food on the table. The practice is to shop from farmers ‘shops and farmers’ markets offering eco and organic food.
Dairy products in Switzerland are of the highest quality and are a must for any alpine table. Cheese, cottage cheese and milk are consumed on their own, but are also a necessary ingredient in many dishes.
The quality of milk from Swiss cows is beyond doubt, and its products have become an emblem of the Alpine country. Dairy products can participate in the diet due to the many useful substances in them.
The calcium in milk strengthens bones, hair and teeth. Lactic acid products are especially useful for the gastrointestinal tract, and the good thing is that they can be made at home.
The cheeses are present daily at the table of the Swiss in natural form or in dishes. The most popular alpine cheese dishes are Raklet and Fondue, both of which are based on melting different types of cheese. Raklet is called both semi-hard Swiss cheese and the traditional dish that is prepared with it.
The cheese is melted in a special device and scraped from the dish on vegetables, for example boiled potatoes or small onions. This delicious mountain meal was invented long ago by Swiss shepherds. They brought cheese with them, which they heated on the fire and added to vegetables.
Quality meat can also be part of a diet. “When he sees cheap meat, the Swiss tells himself that something is wrong here,” commented experts from the Alpine country.
It is true that crumbs in Switzerland cost more than in neighboring European countries, but locals know that quality food comes at a price. The most popular meats are beef, pork, chicken, turkey.
Switzerland offers excellent conditions for meat producers to work in the best way for animals and the environment. This makes Swiss meats more environmentally friendly than imported ones.
Animal feed does not contain genetically modified organisms and animal meal. Hormones and antibiotics to increase efficiency are strictly forbidden. This makes meat suitable for various healthy diets.
Fish products are a frequent guest at the Swiss table, although fish is not one of the foods you will think of when it comes to an alpine table. This is because it is difficult to assume that in a landlocked country they consume a lot of fish and know how to prepare various fish specialties.
In Switzerland there are over 50 lakes with a size of over 1 square kilometer, and to them we can add dozens of rivers and mountain springs. Therefore, the Alpine country consumes mainly freshwater fish, as well as imported ocean fish.
The Swiss reservoirs, where the water is crystal clear, are home to over 90 species of fish, including trout, pike, salmon and others. Perch fillet is one of the specialties in the area of Lake Geneva. Consumption of fish is the basis of a healthy kitchen and is a useful dietary product.
Swiss “atomic” diet
This diet with a strange name is proof that quality Swiss products can be the basis for a healthy diet. The diet alternates between protein and carbohydrate days. In protein you can eat only protein foods that are digested for a long time.
Carbohydrate day replenishes our glycogen stores, but since energy is not yet enough, we must break down fat. In combination, these days allow you to lose weight and speed up your metabolism.
The only drawback of this diet is that it is not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. On a protein day, you should eat animal products that cannot be replaced with soy.
The Swiss “atomic” diet recommends eating often, but in small amounts. You can eat products from the list of permitted foods without restrictions, but also without overeating. In active life it is recommended to consume about 1600 calories, and in less exercise – 1200.
For the protein day are allowed: lean meat and fish, eggs, seafood, milk, skim milk. On the day for carbohydrates you can eat almost all fruits and vegetables without bananas, grapes and potatoes . Other permitted foods are vegetable salads and dishes, vegetable soups and fresh juices.
Cereals such as buckwheat and oatmeal durum wheat pasta can be consumed after the first results are seen.
The Swiss even have a bread diet
Most dieters consider pasta taboo and exclude it from all healthy diets. The Swiss not only have great respect for bread, but contrary to popular belief, they have decided to dedicate a special diet to it. It’s called just that – Swiss bread diet. This does not mean that you can eat any bread on your stomach. The basis of the diet are pasta made from wholemeal and multigrain flour.
Dark breads are high in trace elements and dietary fiber. White cakes are not forbidden, but it is still good to avoid them, if we want to achieve a significant result.
The good news is that the slices can be combined with other products, such as lean meat, low-fat cottage cheese, other lactic acid products, fruits and vegetables. You may not believe it, but the purpose of this diet is to reduce the caloric content of food intake.
A daily norm of up to 1400 calories is provided. It is recommended to drink water and tea without sugar. The Swiss diet is balanced and does not harm the body from important nutrients. Another advantage is that we can follow the diet for a long time without harming our health.
The benefits are that low-fat products and quality bread are rich in minerals, strengthen immunity and have a good effect on digestion. Swiss diet is cheap and easy to apply. You can observe it everywhere – at home, at work or on vacation.
Mehlsuppe flour soup is also popular in Switzerland.
The main product for it is wheat or rye flour. If the soup is prepared in the French-speaking part of the country, corn flour is added.
In addition to flour, add favorite spices, meat broth, milk or other products according to people’s tastes. This national dish was once considered food for poor families. Today it is popular and a favorite of many Swiss families.
