In this rainy month, are you missing sun and good Mediterranean dishes (without wanting to cook)? Good news: a ready-made and healthy dish – validated by dieticians – could re-enchant your dinner.
No sugar or bad fats
Also known as @ysalinediet on Instagram, dietician-nutritionist Ysaline Benakli enjoys finding good dishes at Picard. Because, yes, eating well does not necessarily mean spending hours in the kitchen! And against all odds his favorite dish is none other than frozen organic ratatouille from Picard.
“Tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers… so many ingredients which are neither in season nor at their maximum nutritional value when bought fresh in winter. This is precisely what makes frozen interesting! It allows the nutritional value of vegetables to be preserved, picked and prepared when ripe, then quickly frozen to preserve vitamins, minerals and aromas”, recognizes Julie Boët, dietitian-nutritionist.
This product has another important advantage: its composition. The list of ingredients turns out to be very short, composed almost exclusively of organic vegetables and olive oil. The nutrition expert also highlights its low salt content for a prepared dish (0.44 g/100 g). As for additives, the same thing: they are almost non-existent (only rice starch is present, also from organic farming). Finally, sugar is absent from the recipe.
“No superfluous additives, no added sugars, no low-end fats. This type of preparation is close to homemade, which is quite rare in the world of prepared meals. The fact that it displays a Nutri-Score A confirms that the product remains light, low in fats, sugars and calories, while maintaining an interesting fiber intake.our expert confirms.
Ratatouille must be accompanied
Although this dish has some real qualities, it should be considered a side dish – not a complete dish.
“Its protein content is very low, which is logical since this ratatouille only contains vegetables. It therefore needs to be combined with a protein source such as fish, poultry, tofu, eggs or legumes, and possibly a starch to constitute a satisfying and satiating meal,” advises Julie Boët.
For example, consider serving it with a fried egg and a little quinoa, or a piece of fish with wholemeal bread.
Another point of vigilance for hypertensives: even if the seasoning remains reasonable, you must keep in mind that cooked dishes tend to provide more sodium than a homemade equivalent. “This does not pose a problem in the context of one-off consumption, but may become less interesting if it becomes the everyday solution,” warns the specialist.
This dish should not replace homemade all year round
For those looking to increase their vegetable intake or maintain a healthy diet without spending hours in the kitchen, this ratatouille can help.
Easy to defrost (15 minutes in the pan, 20 minutes in the microwave), it can be easily divided. This product therefore ticks all the boxes of an industrial, but healthy, meal.
“It is simple in its composition, quick to use and allows you to consume vegetables even when you lack time, energy or inspiration. On the other hand, it is not intended to replace a varied cuisine throughout the year. A frozen dish, even organic and well composed, remains a practical and occasional solution, not the exclusive basis of a diet”,
concludes Julie Boët.