Is Gyro Meat Healthy? Benefits & Alternatives

Gyro is known to be quite delicious, and considering the fact that it is a meal that you can eat on the go, it would be appropriate to say that it is also a convenient dish. However, when you are eating something that is tasty, you are always wondering about the nutritional facts, and whether what you are ingesting is healthy or not. So, is gyro meat healthy, and are there any actual benefits from eating this savory dish? 

Gyros meat is healthy, but the addition of lots of oil makes gyros meat less healthy. Gyros are often made of chicken meat which is low in calories and contains a lot of protein. Lamb meat is also used sometimes, and it is known to be a source of different minerals and vitamins; however, its cholesterol levels are high.

If you are a fan of street food, such as gyro, you probably ask yourself if is gyro meat good for you and would probably want to know something more about this type of dish, so you would be aware of how frequently you can include it in your diet. I have provided some nutritional facts and benefits of gyro meat along with some ways in which you can make this dish healthier. Once you read the article, you will know how to enjoy this dish without feeling guilty afterward.

Nutrition of Gyro Meat 

In order to understand how the nutrition of gyro dishes works, you have to know all the common ingredients that are included in this meal. Therefore, when you buy gyro you should expect lamb meat, pita bread, tzatziki sauce that is usually derived from yogurt, and cucumbers and spices on the top of the dish. Many times lamb meat can be substituted with chicken meat due to the different meat preferences of people.

According to the USDA, in one gyro dish that includes lamb meat, you should expect 100 grams of meat that carries around 217 calories. In addition, this dish would probably contain around 26 grams of protein and ⅛ of fat. Lamb meat does not contain carbs, making this dish perfect for low-carb diets. 

Is Lamb Gyro Healthy?

In addition, lamb meat is known to be a good source of vitamins and minerals. However, along with these beneficial nutritional facts, it is important to acknowledge that this dish also contains a significant amount of saturated fat. Saturated fat is responsible for increasing cholesterol levels in the blood, which can lead to inflammation and some diseases, such as diabetes and heart-risk illnesses. [1]

Are Chicken Gyros Healthy?

On the other hand, if the gyro is made of chicken meat, it would contain a higher amount of protein, but it will also carry more calories at the same time. It also includes carbs, so you should be aware of the combinations you make with this dish. This being said, you should be careful with how often you consume gyros since it can impact your health in many ways. 

Is Gyro Meat Good for You?

As I mentioned, the gyro is often made of lamb meat, which is known to carry a lot of beneficial nutritional facts. Therefore, you can intake a lot of protein, vitamins, and minerals, by only consuming this one dish. Since it does not carry a lot of calories, you will also have the chance to balance your diet in a good way if you intend to lose some weight but still eat something delicious. 

On the other hand, if you combine your gyro dish with chicken meat, you should expect some other benefits, but you will be faced with some disadvantages of the meat as well. Are chicken gyros healthy? If you eat your gyro with chicken meat, you will be able to ingest a higher amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals, however, you will also consume more calories. 

Nonetheless, it is important to bear in mind that gyro is not something you should consume so frequently. Regardless of the combinations of meat and other ingredients, you still have to remember that meat can increase cholesterol levels; therefore, this is not a dish that you can intake on a daily basis.

Is Gyro Meat Processed?

If you have taken a peek at the ways in which gyro dish is prepared, you have probably noticed that there is a special grilling method of the meat. This meat is also cut in a special way, so it could be wrapped well in pita bread along with some other ingredients. People who do not know a lot about meat will ask if are gyros a healthy way of preparing meat for this particular dish. 

That being said, it is understandable that many people would believe that gyro includes processed meat in the wrap. However, gyro meat is not in fact processed since it does not contain any preservatives or additives that might be found in other processed dishes. The only additional things added to a gyro dish are kitchen spices for getting a better taste of the meal. 

How to Make Gyro Healthier?

If you are a great fan of gyro, you would definitely want to find a way in which you can make this dish healthier for you. Therefore, if you want to eat this dish more frequently, you would need to find some healthier alternatives and combinations. In order to do so, you will first have to consider the meat you will combine in the dish. 

In this regard, it is important to know that white meat is considered healthier than red meat since it contains a lesser amount of fat. Chicken and turkey are better options for gyro, meaning that these types of meat will make your gyro dish healthier. Also, you should not include many condiments in the dish if you do not want to increase the number of calories in your meal.

Also, instead of buying already-made tzatziki sauce, you can make one yourself and have control over the ingredients and calories. In addition, adding more different vegetables inside the gyro will make it better for you.

What Can You Use Instead of Gyro Meat?

Since gyro dish is basically all about the meat, you do not actually have any options as substitutes. If you want some combinations of pita bread and tzatziki sauce, you can just include some potato in the dish, but without the meat, you will not actually eat a gyro dish. Therefore, it would be best if you opt for white meat, and have this dish in a healthier way. 

If you are insisting it making your gyro vegetarian, you can use soya chunks, seitan, tempeh or plant-based sausages.

As you can see, gyro meat is not the healthiest option for your diet, but if you eat it occasionally, it would probably be harmless for you. You can always consider healthier alternatives, so it is up to you how you will consume this dish.