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How many calories in a Quiche Lorraine La Madeleine?

4 min read

According to several nutrition trackers, a single serving of La Madeleine's classic Quiche Lorraine contains approximately 800 calories. This savory French pastry, a popular menu item at the French bakery-café, is known for its rich and indulgent ingredients, which contribute to its significant caloric content.

Quick Summary

A standard serving of La Madeleine's Quiche Lorraine is roughly 800 calories, composed of significant amounts of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. This article examines the full nutritional breakdown and compares it with other options.

Key Points

  • Calorie Count: A full serving of La Madeleine's Quiche Lorraine is approximately 800-810 calories, depending on the specific menu item.

  • High Fat Content: The dish is high in fat, particularly saturated fat, primarily due to the butter, heavy cream, and cheese.

  • Significant Sodium: A single slice contains a high amount of sodium, nearing half of the recommended daily intake.

  • Key Ingredients: The caloric density comes from the rich and traditional components like a butter crust, heavy cream, Swiss cheese, and bacon.

  • Lighter Options Available: For a smaller meal, a half-portion contains significantly fewer calories, or you can opt for a homemade, modified recipe.

  • Mindful Consumption: Enjoying this rich dish in moderation and pairing it with a lighter side can be part of a balanced diet.

In This Article

Nutritional Breakdown of a La Madeleine Quiche Lorraine

Understanding the calorie count is just the first step; a closer look at the nutritional details reveals why this dish is so rich. The values provided are for a standard, full-sized serving and are based on data from several nutrition tracking websites.

Key Macronutrient Contributions

For a single slice of La Madeleine Quiche Lorraine, the approximate macronutrient breakdown is:

  • Calories: ~800 kcal
  • Total Fat: 52g (67% Daily Value)
  • Saturated Fat: 30g (150% Daily Value)
  • Cholesterol: 410mg (137% Daily Value)
  • Sodium: 1130mg (49% Daily Value)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 52g (19% Daily Value)
  • Protein: 30g

As you can see, the quiche is particularly high in saturated fat and cholesterol, primarily due to the heavy cream, cheese, and bacon used in its preparation. The high sodium content is also a notable factor, contributing nearly half of the recommended daily intake in a single serving. For context, the La Madeleine Breakfast Quiche Lorraine is slightly different, coming in at approximately 810 calories with 52g of fat, but less saturated fat (23g) and cholesterol (265mg).

What Makes the Quiche so Calorie-Dense?

The classic Quiche Lorraine is not a light meal, and its rich profile is a direct result of its traditional, decadent ingredients. The combination of a buttery, flaky crust with a filling made from cream, eggs, cheese, and bacon creates a dish that is high in both fat and calories.

Here are the primary components that drive up the calorie count:

  • Buttery Pie Crust: The foundation of any good quiche is a flaky, rich crust made with a significant amount of butter. This adds a substantial number of calories and fat before any filling is even added.
  • Heavy Cream: A key ingredient for the signature creamy and custardy texture of the filling. Heavy cream is extremely high in fat, and therefore, calories.
  • Swiss or Gruyère Cheese: The generous portion of cheese provides flavor and richness but also contributes a significant amount of fat and sodium.
  • Bacon: The quintessential ingredient for a Quiche Lorraine. Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor along with high levels of fat and sodium.

Calorie Comparison: La Madeleine vs. Other Quiches

When considering a meal, it's helpful to compare the nutritional information to other options. This table compares the La Madeleine Quiche Lorraine to a typical homemade version and another bakery example to highlight the differences.

Quiche Type Serving Size Calories (approx.) Total Fat (approx.) Saturated Fat (approx.) Sodium (approx.)
La Madeleine Quiche Lorraine 1 slice (266g) 800 52g 30g 1130mg
Average Homemade Quiche 1 slice (168g) 556 42g 20g 957mg
Brumby's Bakery Quiche Lorraine 1 slice (200g) 580 38.4g 22.3g 826mg

It is clear that the portion size and ingredient choices of La Madeleine's version contribute to its higher caloric density compared to some other retail and homemade versions. Always be sure to check the specific nutritional information provided by the restaurant, as values can fluctuate slightly depending on preparation and supplier.

How to Enjoy Quiche Lorraine Mindfully

Enjoying a Quiche Lorraine from La Madeleine doesn't have to derail a healthy diet. It's about moderation and balance. Here are some strategies for a more mindful approach:

  • Opt for a Half Portion: La Madeleine often offers a half portion of their quiche, which is a great way to enjoy the flavor with a reduced calorie count. A half portion would be around 400-405 calories, depending on the quiche version.
  • Pair with a Lighter Side: Instead of pairing your quiche with a heavier option like soup, choose a side salad with a light vinaigrette. The freshness and fiber can help balance out the richness of the quiche.
  • Save it for a Treat: If you are watching your caloric intake, consider the Quiche Lorraine an occasional indulgence rather than a regular meal. This allows you to savor it without guilt.
  • Recreate at Home: For a healthier, lower-calorie version, consider making a Quiche Lorraine at home. You can use lower-fat alternatives like whole milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream, and choose a leaner meat like turkey bacon or a reduced-fat cheese.
  • Focus on the Experience: Pay attention to the flavors and textures as you eat. Eating slowly can increase your satisfaction and make a smaller portion more fulfilling.

Conclusion

In summary, a single slice of Quiche Lorraine from La Madeleine contains roughly 800 calories, though the breakfast version might be slightly different. Its high calorie count is a result of the rich, classic ingredients like heavy cream, cheese, and bacon. While it is an indulgent and flavorful meal, it's a high-fat and high-sodium option. For those seeking to manage their dietary intake, strategies like opting for a half portion, pairing with lighter sides, or enjoying it as an occasional treat can help. Comparing the restaurant's offering with homemade or other bakery options also highlights the impact of portion size and ingredients on overall nutritional value. For official details, it is always recommended to consult the most current information available directly from La Madeleine's website or nutritional guides.

For more detailed nutritional information and allergen details, you can visit the official La Madeleine website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A half slice of the classic La Madeleine Quiche Lorraine would be approximately 400 calories, as the full serving is around 800 calories.

Due to its high calorie, fat, saturated fat, and sodium content, the Quiche Lorraine is considered an indulgent meal rather than a healthy daily option. It should be enjoyed in moderation.

The high calorie count is mainly from the fat derived from the rich pastry crust, heavy cream, and cheese. The bacon also adds to the fat and sodium content.

Restaurant quiches, like the one from La Madeleine, tend to have higher calorie counts than many homemade versions, which often use lighter ingredients and have smaller portion sizes.

While the Breakfast Quiche Lorraine is a similar product, a half-portion of any quiche is a lower-calorie option. You can also pair a full slice with lighter side dishes.

The key ingredients include a buttery crust, a creamy egg custard filling, Swiss or Gruyère cheese, and bacon.

No, there are slight differences. While both are in a similar calorie range, their specific macronutrient breakdowns for saturated fat and cholesterol can vary, as seen in the search results.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.