Falafel is one of the most delicious and popular street foods found in most Middle Eastern kitchens and on the streets around the world. It originated in Egypt, where it's made from fava beans or chickpeas, and its composition varies from country to country.
It became very popular due to its ease of preparation and delicious taste. Falafel is called "Ta'amiya", which means a small piece of food. Ta'amiya is served as sandwiches or hot appetizers.
Because many people are attached to falafel, June 12th is celebrated as International Falafel Day all over the world.
Does falafel make you gain weight?
Although falafel is popular on the streets around the world, people still wonder whether it makes you gain weight or helps you lose weight.
But after conducting a lot of research, it was concluded that falafel leads to weight gain and the accumulation of fat in the body due to the calories it contains.
Every 100 grams contains about 333 calories, which is a large percentage of an individual's daily diet. Falafel is also prepared by frying it, and oils increase body fat, as falafel contains 8 grams of fat.
In addition to containing 585 mg of potassium, 294 mg of sodium, a very small amount of folic acid, and very small, perhaps negligible, amounts of vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C.
Therefore, we should all reduce our consumption of falafel or try to cook it in a way that reduces the fat, such as roasting it in the oven.
The health benefits of falafel
Falafel is a rich source of protein, as it is made from beans and chickpeas, which contain a very high amount of protein, which helps build muscle tissue and produce enzymes and hormones.
Falafel also helps maintain blood sugar levels as it contains a very large amount of dietary fiber, which provides energy.
- It also increases the production of red blood cells in the body because it is considered a rich source of iron.
- It also works to protect against osteoporosis.
- Reducing hot flashes that women experience during menopause.
- It also reduces blood cholesterol levels, which protects the heart because it contains a group of healthy fats.
How to make Egyptian falafel
the components:
- a bunch of parsley
- Two and a half cups of peeled beans
- 1 teaspoon of dried coriander
- medium-sized onion
- A quarter teaspoon of cumin
- a spoon of water
- 7 cloves of garlic
- A quarter cup of dill
- A quarter cup of green coriander
- half a teaspoon of baking soda
- A quarter teaspoon of spices
- a pinch of salt
Preparation method
Soak the beans for at least 8 hours. Then mix them with the vegetables and blend them well in a food processor until you get a smooth mixture. Add the spices, seasonings, and water, then form them into balls and place them in hot oil for three minutes.
How to make Syrian falafel
the components:
- a bunch of parsley
- 1 kg soaked chickpeas
- 5 cloves of garlic
- A tablespoon of cumin
- a tablespoon of salt
- a tablespoon of baking soda
- frying oil
- A tablespoon of dried coriander
Preparation method
Place the chickpeas and parsley in a blender until you get a very smooth mixture. Then add the coriander, salt, and spices. Form the mixture into equal-sized balls and place them in hot oil for three minutes.
How to make falafel in a healthy way
The idea behind making healthy falafel is to reduce the amount of oil and fat in it. To make healthy falafel, you'll need to prepare a dough made from beans, various types of coriander, dill, onions, garlic, spices, and baking soda.
Then it is formed into small balls and placed in the oven at a medium temperature.
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