Culinary Glossary: Nutrition, Jar Meals & Sustainable Cooking

Not sure what some of the terms in our product descriptions or blog articles mean? This glossary helps you better understand the world of jarred cuisine, balanced eating, and meal delivery in Switzerland. Enjoy the read!

A

Food additive
Substance added to food to alter taste, texture, or shelf life. At bienBon.ch, we don’t use any additives: all flavour comes from real ingredients and the chef’s know-how.

Healthy eating
A varied diet rich in vegetables, fibre, and high-quality protein, with little to no additives or saturated fats. That’s the balance bienBon.ch strives for in every meal.

Eco-friendly eating / Eco-friendly cooking
An approach that aims to reduce the environmental impact of food. It means using local, seasonal, minimally processed ingredients and sustainable packaging – all of which are core to bienBon.ch.

B

Batch cooking
A technique where you cook several meals in advance (often on weekends) to stay organised during the week. A popular solution to eat well without cooking daily.

Jar (jarred meal)
A ready-made meal, pasteurized and stored in a reusable glass jar. Keeps for several weeks in the fridge without preservatives. It’s our speciality at bienBon.ch.

Good fats
“Good fats” like unsaturated fatty acids (from vegetable oils, oily fish…) are essential in a balanced diet. bienBon.ch limits saturated fats and favours quality fats.

C

Short supply chain
A distribution model that reduces the number of intermediaries between producers and consumers. bienBon.ch prioritises Swiss or nearby products to lower our carbon footprint.

Clean label
Refers to products with few, natural, easy-to-understand ingredients. All bienBon.ch meals follow this approach: we only use what’s needed – nothing more, nothing fake.

Comfort food
Feel-good, homestyle cooking, often linked to childhood memories. Our lasagna, parmentier or blanquette fall into this cozy category.

Preservation
Our meals are pasteurized, which means they keep for weeks in the fridge with no flavour loss – and without artificial preservatives.

Preservatives
Chemical or natural additives meant to extend shelf life. bienBon.ch doesn’t use any: preservation is achieved through pasteurization.

Zero waste cooking
A way of cooking that limits packaging and food waste. Reusable glass jars are part of our waste-reduction strategy.

D

Shelf life
At bienBon.ch, meals last 3 to 6 months in the fridge thanks to gentle cooking and packaging in jars or sous-vide bags. Convenient and stress-free.

Sustainable food
A way of eating that respects health, the planet, and resources. Local sourcing, reusable packaging, less food waste – all key to our approach.

E

Nutritional balance
The right mix of protein, carbs, fats, fibre, and micronutrients in a meal. Every bienBon.ch recipe is designed with this in mind – no compromises on taste.

Insulated packaging
Keeps meals cool during delivery without active refrigeration. Crucial for reliable food delivery in Switzerland.

F

Homemade (label)
In Switzerland, this label guarantees that a dish is cooked entirely in-house using raw ingredients. That’s the case for all bienBon.ch meals.

Fibre
The indigestible part of plants, essential for digestion. Our meals are rich in legumes and vegetables, naturally high in fibre.

Flexitarian
Mostly vegetarian diet with occasional meat, fish or egg intake. bienBon.ch offers plenty of flexitarian-friendly meals.

G

Complex carbs
Slow-release carbs (whole grains, legumes…) that provide lasting energy. Often found in our side dishes.

H

Honest cuisine
A cooking philosophy focused on transparency, authenticity, and ingredient quality. No gimmicks, no shortcuts – and one of our guiding principles.

I

Glycemic index (GI)
Measures how much a food raises blood sugar. We favour ingredients with a moderate GI for steady energy and long-lasting fullness.

L

Local (local ingredients)
Grown or produced in Switzerland. We prioritise local sourcing to reduce transport and support regional producers.

Low carb
A diet low in carbohydrates. Some bienBon.ch meals are naturally low-carb while still being tasty and balanced.

Low fat
A “low fat” diet limits fat, especially saturated fats. Some bienBon.ch meals are naturally low-fat, but still full of flavour.

M

Macronutrients
Protein, carbohydrates, and fat – the major nutrients we need in large amounts. Our meals are crafted with this balance in mind.

Micronutrients
Vitamins, minerals and trace elements essential for body function. We use herbs, spices and vegetables packed with these nutrients.

Gentle cooking method
Slow, low-temperature cooking that preserves nutrients and flavour – like pasteurization, which we use extensively.

N

Nutri-score
A nutrition label from A (best) to E. It scores meals based on fibre, calories, salt, sugar, etc. We display it on every bienBon.ch dish to help you choose wisely.

P

Pasteurization
A natural preservation method using low heat to kill harmful bacteria – no preservatives needed. It’s how we keep our jars safe and tasty.

Healthy ready meal
A pre-made meal made from fresh, natural ingredients with no added nasties. That’s our everyday mission at bienBon.ch.

Balanced portion
A portion size that satisfies without excess. Our meals are around 400–450g, based on nutritional needs.

Seasonal product
Food harvested and cooked in its natural season. We adapt our recipes throughout the year to stay in sync with nature.

Processed food
Heavily altered or artificial foods – often industrial. Our dishes are the opposite: handmade, honest, and minimally processed.

R

Gentle reheating
Warming at low temperature or in a water bath to preserve texture and taste. Ideal for our jarred or sous-vide dishes.

Mediterranean diet
Rich in veggies, legumes, fish and olive oil – known for its health benefits. Many of our recipes are inspired by this way of eating.

Vegetarian
No meat or fish, but includes eggs and dairy. We have a great range of satisfying vegetarian meals.

Vegan
Fully plant-based, no animal products. Several bienBon.ch recipes are 100% vegan-friendly.

S

Seasonality
Using fruits and vegetables at peak ripeness. We follow seasonal rhythms to offer tastier, fresher meals.

Gluten-free
Diets that exclude gluten. Some of our meals are naturally gluten-free, but we don’t guarantee no trace.

Sous-vide
Low-temperature cooking in vacuum-sealed bags. Used for our special holiday meals and some premium recipes.

T

Traceability
Knowing where each ingredient comes from. We work with Swiss or trusted producers and value transparency.

U

Ultra-processing
Foods full of artificial additives (flavours, colours…). We completely avoid those at bienBon.ch.

V

Nutritional value
The energy, protein, carbs, fats, fibre and vitamins in a food. We display this info for every product – clearly and honestly.

Z

Zero cooking (for you)
All our meals are 100% cooked. You just need to reheat them… or enjoy them cold if that’s your style.

Zero waste
A lifestyle that reduces waste, especially in the kitchen. We help by reusing jars, collecting empties and limiting overproduction.