Falafel | Simple, Healthy and Delicious Recipe | The Oven Light Dinner (2024)

FAQs

Is falafel healthy for weight loss? ›

May Help Control Weight

With its high protein and fiber content, falafel may aid weight control by inducing feelings of fullness. Eating low-GI foods like chickpeas can also help manage blood sugar levels.

Is baked falafel healthy? Yes! Baking instead of frying reduces the amount of fat and calories in this healthy falafel recipe! With protein and fiber rich chickpeas and loads of fresh herbs, these baked falafels are a great healthy meal!

Falafel is a great dish to encourage people to eat a more plant-based diet, which benefits the body as well as the environment, Amy Shapiro, RD says. It's high in protein and fiber from the chickpeas (one cup of which has 15 grams of protein and 14 grams of fiber).

In essence, the ingredient profile of falafel is in the least unhealthy. In fact, compared to other counterparts of the food, including chicken shawarma, falafel tops the list to contain the healthiest amount of all ingredients that are required by the body.

Falafel contains high amounts of protein and carbohydrates from chickpeas; it also has significant amounts of soluble fiber that helps to reduce the bad cholesterol from your body. Chickpeas are also rich in calcium, iron & potassium, making falafel a superb vegetarian food to replace meat.

A lack of fibre in the diet can cause constipation, which affects around 20% of people each year. The dietary fibre in falafel cannot be digested, but it helps to make stools bigger and softer. This allows them to pass through the gut more quickly and easily. It can also help discourage painful straining.

There are three types of falafel--Traditional falafel, baked falafel and lemon falafel. “Where the traditional falafel is the basic fried falafel comprising a mix of chickpeas, onions, garlic, herbs and spices, baked falafels are made using fresh herbs in the chickpea mixture,” says Chef Sati from Ophelia.

A binding ingredient can help keep it together, especially if you are using canned beans instead of dried. And the perfect binding ingredient for falafel is flour. Nothing fancy, just plain all-purpose flour. Add a few tablespoons at a time to your mixture, until you can press it easily into balls or patties.

Go with the falafel The gyro has more saturated fat, more calories, and (usually) more sodium than the falafel —or chicken or vegetable sandwich fillings—on most menus. Take Daphne's, a “California-fresh” West Coast chain with 56 restaurants that lists calories on its menus and Nutrition Facts on its Web site.

Can diabetics eat falafel? ›

Falafel has a good amount of micronutrients plus it is a good source of protein and fiber. This helps in curbing one's appetite, lowers one's risk of chronic disease, and supports healthy blood sugar. All these qualities put Falafel in the diabetes-friendly category.

Carbs. A falafel patty contains a little more than 5 grams of carbohydrates, the majority of which come from the chickpeas or fava beans. The food is high in complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber—the type of fiber that helps lower LDL cholesterol (known as the "bad" cholesterol).

Specifically, parsley, cilantro, and occasionally mint infuse the chickpea mix with aromatics. Then, an abundance of spices, including cumin, coriander, and garlic, adds even more depth of flavor. The artistry of crafting traditional falafel is a meticulous process.

If you're going to serve them, we recommend you try to doll them up as much as possible beforehand. These falafel aren't exactly healthy, either: three pieces contain 19 grams of fat, 320 calories, 490 mg of sodium, and 30 grams of carbohydrates.

How to store falafel. The raw minced mixture is sometimes allowed to rest to integrate the flavours and textures, ideally refrigerated. Use the uncooked mixture within a day: cooked, refrigerated falafel should be eaten within three days.

While falafel can be a tasty and protein-rich option, it's typically deep-fried, contributing to its calorie content. Moderation is key, and consider baked or air-fried falafel for a healthier alternative. Pairing falafel with a variety of vegetables and whole grains can make it part of a balanced meal for weight loss.

An easy keto falafel recipe made without chickpeas is a delicious snack or appetizer. But it's also a perfect addition to a low carb salad or a paleo wrap for lunch.

3 balls of falafel ball (x3) (Wrapido - 889 deleted) contains 270 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 39% carbs, 48% fat, and 13% protein. This is a good source of protein (16% of your Daily Value) and fiber (32% of your Daily Value).