Cauliflower is one of many vegetables that can be eaten raw or cooked. The addition of cheese sauce to cooked cauliflower adds taste and some nutrients, but also additional calories.
Cauliflower Calories
One-half cup of fresh cauliflower boiled yields 14 calories. This serving of cauliflower will provide 28 mg vitamin C, 27 mcg folate, 88 mg potassium, 9 mg sodium, 9 mcg vitamin K and 1 g fiber.
Cheese Sauce Calories
There are many types of cheese sauce that may be used, each having its own calorie content and nutrients. One-quarter cup of prepared, ready-to-serve cheese sauce provides 100 calories, 116 mg calcium and 522 mg sodium. One-quarter cup cheese sauce prepared from scratch provides 120 calories, 189 mg calcium and 300 mg sodium. One slice of cheddar cheese melted provides 113 calories, 202 mg calcium and 174 mg sodium.
Tips
The FoodReference website reports that cauliflower cooked in alkaline water may turn yellow. To avoid this, put one tbsp. milk or lemon juice into the cooking water. Cooking cauliflower in aluminum or iron pots will also cause the vegetable to discolor.