Gyro: Calories in Gyro

Gyro is one of the most popular Greek food items. It is known by different names in different regions. For instance, it is called shawarma in the Middle East. In Brazil, the terms 'döner kebab', as well as 'gyros' are used, but the dish is also called churrasco grego. To make gyro, pieces of meat are placed on a spit above a broiler.

Some fat strips are added to it, in order to keep the meat crispy and moist when it is roasting. When required, the meat on the surface is taken out by making vertical and thin slices on the hanging gyro meat. Normally, this roasted meat is served with heavily oiled and grilled pita bread, vegetables, sauces, and condiments.

The calories depend a lot on the way in which it is served. Typically, pork is used for making traditional Greece and Cyprus versions. At times, chicken might be used. So, pork, lamb, beef, or chicken could be used separately or in combination.

Along with meat, gyro also contains tzatziki sauce, vegetables like onions, lettuce, tomatoes, fried potatoes, etc. The pita bread which is used for making this dish comes in three types: plain, Arabic, and Cypriot pita. Generally, the thicker one (plain pita) is used in a gyro sandwich.

You can find a lot of variants of the original recipe across the world. Therefore, the calories in gyro vary greatly as well.

Nutrition                     Amount

Calories                          630.9
Calories from fat          131.40
Total fat                       14.57 g
Saturated fat                 5.69 g
Polyunsaturated fat      1.59 g
Monounsaturated fat    5.25 g

Nutrition              Amount

Cholesterol          128.1 mg
Sodium               1011.7 mg
Potassium          777.77 mg
Total carbs              77.26 g
Dietary fibers             3.88 g
Protein                       44.8 g

Along with the aforementioned nutrients, gyro also contains significant traces of vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, and zinc. Due to these nutrients, people who consider this dish to be a complete meal.

However, this dish is not that healthy, considering the number of calories in gyro. Typically, calories in plain gyro (without any bread wrapping and salad seasoning) are about 400.

A typical Greek gyro sandwich contains lamb, tzatziki sauce, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, etc., which are wrapped in plain grilled pita bread. It provides about 667 calories, with 16 g saturated fats, 1150 mg sodium, and 42 g of total carbohydrates.

A fresh gyro salad which comes without any additions contains 1013 calories with higher levels of sodium and carbohydrates. If you order the sauce or salad dressing with it, the calories get increased by 110 with 2% of total fat. Calories also vary, depending on the type of meat.

One pita wrapped lamb and beef gyro contains about 390 calories, while one chicken gyro contains about 520 calories, which is slightly higher than the typical Greek gyro made of lamb meat.

All in all, the calories vary within the range of 350 and 800. If you can't resist eating gyro, then consume it in moderation. Also, make lifestyle-related changes to stay healthy.