Shawarma 

Famous across the world, Shawarma consists of a protein source which could be chicken or paneer, hummus, French fries and some vegetables, wrapped in a pita bread. Have you ever wondered how many calories does a Shawarma have? It is high on calories, but the calorie content varies depending on the style of preparation, contents and the accompaniments served. Though a Shawarma consists of lean chicken which is grilled on a set-up in front of you, it is important to understand that it is not always what you see. The chicken or the meat is slathered with oil or fat (during marination) that gives it the amazing texture, flavour and taste. So let us understand the facts and the nutritional content of Shawarma here.

How Many Calories Does Shawarma Have?

As mentioned earlier, Shawarma is loaded with calories. A single shawarma wrap gives you approximately 450 calories, 40 gm carbohydrates, 30-35 gm proteins, 4-5 gm fiber, 20 gm of fat, and 1000 mg of sodium. Again, the calorie content varies depending on where you are eating, what are the ingredients, the cooking technique, the accompaniments and the quantity of Shawarma.

Here are some nutritional facts about Shawarma:

Calories In Common Food Items With Shawarma

We eat Shawarma as a standalone snack from the street vendor or Shawarma vendors or as a meal served in a Lebanese or Turkish restaurant, where it is served in  a deconstructed form. When eaten as a snack, we do not have a choice of selection for ingredients that go inside it, nor do we have a control on the portion. But when served separately, we can eat only as much as we want and also limit the portions of not so healthy counterparts.

Also when prepared at home with less oil and fat, lean meat, minimal hummus and lots of vegetables, it can actually be very healthy, low calorie and high in proteins.

Let us have a look at the calories in the common (major) food items that are present in Shawarma.

Health Benefits Of Eating Shawarma

Shawarma, if prepared in a healthy way and if consumed in moderation can be great snack or a meal for people who always on the go or for people who lead an active lifestyle and are able to burn the calories that they consume.

• For people who are planning to lose weight and achieve a healthy body, Shawarma is a great choice if eaten in moderation (as it gives a good amount of proteins and fiber).
• It is a healthy snack if you skip the bread and just eat the shawarma chicken with salad.
• It provides you with calcium, magnesium, and iron.
• It is a good source of Vitamin A, vitamin C and proteins.
• It gives you satiety and satisfies your craving to eat something tasty.
• Use minimal oil and roast the chicken on medium flame.
• Best to make it at home and avoid the street Shawarma.

How much Shawarma should you consume every day?

It is better to have any outside food only once a week, especially the Shawarma as it is high in fats, sodium and calories. But how much of it you can eat also largely depends on the preparation method and the ingredients that go into it. It also depends on your age, your lifestyle, BMI, health conditions and the calorie requirement of your body. 

Conclusion 

To maintain the best of your health, it is advised to keep away foods that are high in calories, fats and sodium. But as we always say, moderation and portion control is the key. Although extra condiments like mayonnaise, excessive amounts of oil or butter, flavoring agents, food colors, give that tasty flavor – it adds on to the calorie intake. Therefore, you can enjoy your favorite Shawarma by being mindful about the portion size and selecting healthy dressings (yogurt based or tahini dressing).