Are Shami Kebabs Actually Good For Weight Loss? (Nutrition Value and Calories)

It can be hard trying to manage weight loss habits while still eating some semblance of normal food without crazy restrictions that can put your body through an awful lot. And the ruthless workout regimens? Don’t even go there! 

All of us find ourselves in this position. When you are scrambling the internet to find the best possible food for weight loss.

 It can get very overwhelming diving headfirst into the world of diets and calories and what not. This article is here to make things a little simpler for you. 

Ever wondered what are the implications of those yummy shami kebabs, that are no less than a staple in our households, on your health? How can you incorporate shami kebabs in your diet without compromising on the number of calories you take in a day? Are shami kebabs actually good for weight loss? 

The answer to this seemingly very simple question is quite complicated. Yes and no. Shami kebabs can be a good source for protein and aid in weight loss whereas under certain circumstances it might be counterproductive to your weight loss regime. 

Let’s discuss how shami kebabs for weight loss is a good option and when they can be bad for you. 

What comprises as a Shami kebab?

Shami kebabs are composed of minced meat, beef or chicken, ground chickpeas, egg to hold it together and spices of your choice. Sounds simple enough. No caloric or fatty red flags, right? Well, yes, for the most part. 

Shami kebab, originating from the Indian subcontinent, has become a very popular dish in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisines. It is often served a side to other dishes but can be a meal on its own if done right. 

Different types of shami kebabs

Shami kebab can be made from your meat of choice. Different varieties include chicken, beef, mutton, and lamb. All of these are amazing sources of protein which is why incorporating shami kebab in your diet as a rich source of protein will aid in weight loss. 

Nutritional value of shami kebabs

As mentioned above, shami kebab is rich in protein owing to its meat base. Another source of protein in shami kebab is the ground chickpeas. The ground chickpeas are the second most important ingredient in a shami kebab is a constant regardless of the kind of meat being used. 

Apart from all this protein there is also typically about 40% fat and 17% carbohydrates.

Shami kebab made from red meat usually have a higher percentage of fat than if chicken is used. Other micronutrients include sugars, fiber, and a lot of sodium. 

You can find more information, depending on the serving size, on the nutritional value of shami kebabs here!

How does shami kebab help weight loss?

Like mentioned above, with your meat of choice, shami kebab can act as a source of protein in your every day. 

Getting enough protein is extremely essential to achieving your ideal weight. It helps you lose body fat without losing muscle. Get rid of that belly fat! 

Protein also helps you increase satiety, meaning it helps curb your appetite. It does this by increasing the levels of satiety hormones GLP-1 and peptide and by decreasing levels of the hunger hormone known as ghrelin. 

So, if you are taking enough protein, you will automatically consume lesser calories throughout the day because of low appetite. 

Another way the protein in your shami kebab will help you in weight loss is by burning calories. The digestion process of proteins requires and burns calories for the purpose of metabolizing them. 

It makes you burn more calories over the clock. Even when you are sleeping. Yes, you read that right! A protein sufficient diet will help your burn calories without you having to move a limb. 

Other ingredients in shami kebab that help in weight management

Shami kebab have another key ingredient in them aside from meat, and this is chickpeas. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a rich source of vitamin, minerals, fiber and of course, protein. 

Chickpeas are known to help in appetite control. This means it will help you stay away from untimely snacking. Say goodbye to those extra pounds of midnight munching!

Chickpeas also have a relatively low-calorie density and lots of fiber which will help you in maintaining a healthy weight while still being delicious to eat. 

Chicken or beef/mutton shami kebabs?

Now the question remains, what meat of choice should you use to maximize weight loss? Varieties of shami kebab come in beef, chicken, lamb, mutton etc. Which is the best?

Chicken contains higher proportions of protein and lower fat as compared to red meat. So, if your diet is centered around high protein and low fat, then chicken is the way to go. More specifically, white chicken meat. 

Here is an easy-to-follow recipe for chicken shami kebabs!

Now coming to red meat. Red meat has a relatively higher proportion of fat but also remains a very rich source of protein as well. Red meat contains saturated fat that gives rise to higher blood cholesterol levels and risks of heart diseases. 

If you are going for red meat in your shami kebabs make sure to go for the right cut as red meat does have a bad rep of worsening many health conditions and that too, justifiably so. 

Hence, for weight loss purposes it is best to use minced chicken in your shami kebabs as it offers the most nutritional benefits and aids your weight loss journey. 

Go organic, if possible

We all know the horror stories of processed meat and the dangers they pose, especially for women. To avoid that, its best to get organic meat. 

Organic meat comes from animals that are 100% fed natural, organic feed and are able to graze in an open pasture. They are free from injected hormones and antibiotics and processed feed. 

Organic meat can be a little more expensive, but it is ultimately the healthier option for you and your family. 

Vegetarian option

If you are not a meat eater or just simply do not want to incorporate meat into your diet, you can make a vegetarian version of shami kebabs.

A veg, plant-based version of shami kebab is made with black chickpeas, gram flour, spices, and herbs. It offers you the same benefits as meat based shami kebab as its as rich in fat as it would be if meat was used. This is because of the high concentration of lentils used. 

If you want to try out the veg version of shami kebabs, try out this recipe!

How to make shami kebab?

If you have decided to add shami kebab to your diet regime, it is important to now make sure that the process of making the kebab including its ingredients all are helping in reducing your weight.

Usually, shami kebabs are fried or deep fried in oil and served. If you are following a diet plan or are taking shami kebab to manage your weight, that might not be the best idea. 

Fried food is linked to many diseases including obesity and eating food that is fried in a large amount of oil can be completely counter-productive to your weight loss routine.

Instead of frying your shami kebabs in a huge pot of oil these are some alternative ways you can prepare them:

• Sautéing or stir frying. This method uses a lot less oil and while you’re at it sauté yourself some tasteful veggies to make it a healthy meal!

• Air frying. Air frying is by far the best and the most effective way to cook food using minimal oil. If you have an air fryer, I recommend you switch all the cooking you can to air frying. Especially your diet shami kebabs.

• Baking is another way to cook your shami kebabs without the added fat of oil. Bake your shami kebabs at 180 C until they are golden brown!

Different ways to incorporate shami kebabs in your diet

Shami kebabs can be taken in various way, depending on the time of the day you are having them. 

You can have shami kebabs on their own as a meal. You can spice it up, add more greens to the mix and have your shami kebabs with a well-seasoned salad. The shami kebab will act as your source of meat protein in the meal.

If you have not cut out on carbs completely, or are having a carb day, you can shami kebab with boiled/steamed rice. To make this meal healthier, replace the white rice with brown rice and you have yourself a fulfilling yet healthy dinner!

Conclusion

After this entire discussion, we have decided that shami kebabs can help you in weight loss IF they are prepared in the right way. This blog gives you all the information you need to know before adding shami kebab in your daily diet. 

For more tips tricks and diet plans for weight loss visit my website where I regularly write about different foods and different diet regiments. 

To book an appointment with me to get a personalized diet plan along with advice, head over here!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories in a shami kebab?

Calories in a shami kebab vary depending on the serving size and the kind and amount of meat that is being used. But typically, in a chicken shami kebab, in a serving size of around 80g it contains 140-200 calories. 

What is veg shami kebab made of?

Veg shami kebabs are made of lentils, spices, and herbs. More specifically, chickpeas, flour, onions, spices, and herbs. Basically, everything remains the same, but the meat is replaced.