Is Shawarma Healthy?
Shawarma: healthy or junk food?
According to DrHealthBenefits.com, shawarma is high in iron, magnesium, dietary fiber, salt, calcium, and antioxidants, which boost energy, muscular growth, and health.
Shawarma is a very delicious snack. People get hooked on the way it’s being prepared on the shawarma machine. The attractive action is quite awesome.
Nevertheless, its healthiness is greatly subjective to whether you’re making it at home or purchasing it from the nearest fast food restaurant.
Shawarma: healthy or junk food?
Homemade shawarma is healthier since the meat is not fried like burger patties and the filling comprises plenty of vegetables and thick curd (not mayonnaise).
Also, at times restaurants piled meat cooked in its own oil spoils. However, if cooked freshly at home with chicken (avoid fat) or Paneer (Cottage cheese) and vegetables on a small frying pan, it adds to a healthy diet as it provides a lot of protein. Avoid unhealthy red meats.
Eating shawarma at a restaurant, kiosk, or street seller may be harmful/unhealthy for these reasons:
Raw chicken on the machine attracts dust and germs. This causes gastrointestinal infections, etc.
Few Shawarma establishments make use of animal oil to grease and juicier chicken. Quite unhealthy.
Eating stale or undercooked chicken is also unhealthy.
Shawarma businesses reuse the unsold raw chicken from the previous day’s machine. This chicken rots quickly and ruins other chickens around it. This may induce food poisoning.
Is Shawarma Healthy ~ is a shawarma good/junk meal ~ an Overview
Love shawarma? Me Too! Shawarma is a popular dish loved worldwide.
What’s shawarma?
A type of sandwich, made with roasted meat and shaved from a spinning spit to make shawarma sandwiches.
The meat can be used to make shawarma lamb, shawarma beef, shawarma chicken, or even shawarma turkey and served on pita bread with veggies and sauces.
All the shawarma varieties are great!
Shawarma can also be served as a plate or sandwich with rice or pita bread.
Shawarma offers several health advantages despite its unhealthiness.
Yes, surely, there are also health benefits to gain from eating shawarma.
In this blog post, we will be discussing some of the health benefits of shawarma as well as some of the possible disadvantages of eating shawarma as well.
Advantages and disadvantages of shawarma ~ benefits and side effects of Shawarma
Shawarma pros and cons
It contains vitamin A, which is essential for excellent eyesight! Shawarma is high in protein, carbs, and fiber, making it a nutritious start to a great day!
Advantages and disadvantages of shawarma
Health Benefits of Eating Shawarma
The shawarma’s nutritional value is quite high, which is the reason it is popular among health-conscious people and vegetarians.
1- Carbohydrate-rich
Why eat carbs? Carbohydrates boost important functions. Carbohydrates feed the body and provide energy.
Shawarma pita bread is carbohydrate-rich.
2-Fat source
Shawarma’s nutritious healthy fats have many advantages. Plants like olives and tropical oils provide healthy fats.
Shawarma’s healthy fats from lamb or beef promote better body composition, muscles, and cognitive function.
Shawarma is healthy yet has adverse effects.
3- Source of Dietary fiber
Fiber maintains digestion. Fiber-rich meals reduce bloating and constipation. Shawarma meets carbohydrate needs. Fiber helps balance blood sugar and weight.
4- B6 source
Shawarma provides vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, part of the vitamin B complex, promotes bodily health. It may help the immune system, brain, and neurological system.
Vitamin B6 shortage may cause anxiety, sadness, and muscular discomfort.
Health risks, side effects, or Disadvantages of eating Shawarma
Shawarma is not all that healthy, therefore knowing its drawbacks may make you consume it in moderation.
Shawarma may cause:
High cholesterol
Shawarma contains harmful fatty acids that elevate blood cholesterol. High cholesterol causes heart disease and stroke. To avoid heart disease, minimize Shawarma eating.
Obesity
Shawarma is heavy in calories and may induce weight gain and fat deposition. Shawarma may make you fat.
Food poisoning
Most Shawarma you know is not hygienically cooked and may have been contaminated during packing.
Food poisoning from this shawarma may induce vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Not diabetic-friendly.
Shawarma harms diabetics. It raises blood sugar and cholesterol. Diabetics risk coronary artery disease from shawarma.
Chicken Shawarma Calories
Many like chicken shawarma for dinner. However, it is quite caloric. This is for calorie watchers.
Calories in Chicken Shawarma
392.3 calories per Chicken Shawarma wrap. The ingredients are; Bread, chicken breast, onions, cucumbers, tahini, yogurt, garlic, sauces, and pastes are utilized.
Shawarma: Is It Healthy? What are the main ingredients in shawarma?
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern popular street cuisine is shawarma. This meal is excellent but rich in calories.
Thinly sliced chicken, beef, goat, lamb, or turkey are wrapped up and coated with tahini sauce or hummus before being steamed or cooked with flatbreads or pitas.
Veggies are inside the pita, for example, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Shawarma spices include coriander, turmeric, allspice cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and black pepper.
Conclusion
Shawarma is an enjoyable snack that is popularly eaten in Nigeria, and many parts of the world.
Shawarma is healthy; however, it should be taken in moderation to prevent side effects.
Is Nigerian shawarma healthy?
Shawarma is unhealthy because the spices are high in salt and sodium. Some include 250-600MD sodium per serving.
“Hypertension and renal and cardiovascular issues can result from too much salt.
Is Shawarma diet-friendly?
Shawarma is a quick, unhealthy snack or meal. The marinated pieces sliced off the revolving cone of meat will likely have been coated with extra fat during cooking.
Nutritional Benefits of Sharwamah
With its rich content of Vitamins A, B, and C, folate, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, shawarma offers a high nutritional profile coupled with its distinctive grilled taste.
This combination has propelled shawarma to widespread popularity worldwide. Particularly cherished as one of Egypt’s and the Arabian Peninsula countries’ most beloved street foods, its nutritional benefits and flavorful appeal have captured the hearts and taste buds of many.
However, it’s important to note that shawarma can also be high in sodium, especially if it’s served with salty sauces or pickled vegetables.
Additionally, traditional shawarma may be served with white bread or high-carbohydrate wraps, which can contribute to a higher calorie and carbohydrate content.
As with any food, moderation and mindful ingredient choices are key to enjoying shawarma as part of a healthy diet.
