Shawarma: the indulgent original vs a healthy version
2026-11-05 · 6 min read · Get Lean Today
I love street shawarma, but 900 kcal for lunch is too much. At home I use chicken breast and garlic yogurt sauce, and pile in cabbage for crunch and volume.
Original · 400 g
900 kcal
Protein 40 · Fat 50 · Carbs 72
Healthy version · you save 430
470 kcal
Protein 42 · Fat 13 · Carbs 45
Approximate macros per serving
Why the original is so heavy
Mayo sauce, fatty meat and fries inside.
Gram by gram: usual recipe vs my version
Per serving. This is where the calories actually go.
| Usual | kcal | My version | kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatbread, 90 g | 250 | Whole-wheat flatbread, 70 g | 190 |
| Skin-on chicken / pork, 150 g | 330 | Chicken breast, 150 g | 165 |
| Mayo sauce, 40 g | 220 | Yogurt, garlic, herbs, 50 g | 35 |
| Fries inside, 40 g | 110 | — | |
| Vegetables, 60 g | 15 | Cabbage, carrot, cucumber, tomato, 150 g | 45 |
| — | Oil for the grill, 3 g | 25 | |
| Total | 925 | you save 465 | 460 |
Reference values, rounded to 5 kcal. Brands differ — check the label.
Ingredients
- Whole-wheat flatbread70 g
- Chicken breast150 g
- Yogurt, garlic, herbs50 g
- Cabbage, carrot, cucumber, tomato150 g
- Oil for the grill3 g
How to make it
- Marinate chicken in spices for 15 minutes.
- Grill and slice into strips.
- Mix the sauce.
- Wrap and toast briefly.
Tip: Replace half the wrap with cabbage leaves for −100 kcal.
Mistakes I made so you don't have to
- Cooking thick pieces dries them out — slice after grilling.
- Hot chicken plus sauce tears the wrap — let it rest a minute.
Storing
Grill chicken for 3 days ahead; assemble just before eating.
How to log it
Say or type in the app or Telegram bot: “healthy shawarma, 400 g” — calories and macros are filled in for you.
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Weight goes down from a steady calorie deficit, enough protein, sleep and steps. Get Lean Today just makes it easy to see what you eat — it doesn't sell supplements or promise −10 kg in a week.
FAQ
- How many calories are in regular shawarma?
- About 900 kcal per 400 g serving.
- Can I eat it while dieting?
- Yes. The healthy version saves about 430 kcal and has more protein, so it fits a deficit easily.
- How do I count my own portion?
- Snap a photo in Get Lean Today and calories and macros are counted for you.