Borscht is a tasty and useful first dish, originally the main dish of Ukrainian cuisine, but today it is also loved by representatives of other nations. The rich borscht differs remarkable taste, therefore its caloric content interests basically only losing weight.
Borsch - multicomponent soup
In the old days the caloric content of borsch was not a disadvantage, but a virtue, because one dish of this dish was enough to saturate and fill the body with energy for a long time. Over time, the composition of borsch has changed, and its caloric value has changed, to date, many new recipes have appeared, including even dietary borscht for weight loss.
Any type of borsch is an excellent balanced dish, which successfully combines nutrients - proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as the necessary vitamins and minerals. Due to its composition, borsch improves the liver and the whole digestive system, stimulates metabolic processes, promotes the release of toxic substances.
Modern borscht is prepared with the obligatory use of beets, which gives it an excellent taste and an appetizing color. In addition, the ingredients of most recipes are meat (beef, chicken, pork) and vegetables (potatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes). In different regions borsch is enriched with additional ingredients - beans, zucchini, bell pepper, turnips. Special spiciness is given to the spice, most often in borscht put fragrant, red or black pepper, bay leaf, celery, dill, parsley, lovers of unusual taste can add tarragon, thyme, basil, marjoram. To find out how many calories in a borscht dish, you need to consider all the ingredients of this dish and the way it is cooked.
Classic borscht is prepared in several stages. First you need to cook meat - it is prepared 1,5-2 hours, then other ingredients are added to the broth, first of all - potatoes and cabbage (for the Ukrainian borsch they put the cabbage last to keep it crunchy). Beets to preserve the red color before adding to the pan should be extinguished with some acid (lemon, vinegar). Onion and carrots are also spread separately, then tomato paste or fresh tomatoes without skin are added to them. Caloric content of 100 g of classic borsch with beef is approximately 100-110 kcal, but it should be remembered that a portion of this tasty soup is usually much larger - up to 500 g.
Caloric content of various borsch
Caloric content of borsch depends on its variety and ingredients, which are added to it. The most calories are borsch on meat, especially on pork - about 200-210 kcal per 100 g. Caloric content of vegetarian, mushroom and green borsch is not so great - from 25 to 75 kcal.
Cold green borsch is an excellent light dish for summer heat. It is prepared not on meat broth, but on the beet broth, so its calorie content is minimal - about 25-30 kcal. First, beets, cut into small pieces, cooked in water, acidified with vinegar. In chilled broth add finely chopped boiled eggs, potatoes, cucumbers, green onions , parsley, dill, salt. Cold borscht is served on the table with sour cream.
How can you reduce the calorie content of borsch?
Reduce the caloric content of the dish by choosing more lean meat - take instead of pork beef or chicken. Instead of potatoes, try using beans. If you refuse pre-roasting onion and carrots, you will also make borscht a less heavy dish. Prepare a delicious first course and without suppressing beets - in this case, you will not only reduce the amount of oil, but also avoid the addition of vinegar. With this method, the beets need to be cleaned and cooked together with the meat as a whole. After the borsch is almost ready, the beets must be removed from the pan, cut or grated, added to the soup, and immediately after boiling - turn off the fire (this is necessary to preserve the red color).