Melted cheese often looks richer and greasier, but is it truly higher in calories or less healthy than a solid slice? As nutrition experts know, appearances can be deceiving.
Whether you melt a slice of cheese on bread or add it cold to a sandwich, the health impact remains the same. Calories don't change with heat—provided you're using the identical type and amount of cheese.
Heating food alters its texture but never adds calories out of thin air. That said, some foods absorb moisture during cooking, shifting calories per 100 grams. For example, dry couscous packs more calories per 100 grams than its hydrated, prepared version.
