Bread pakodas are among the most popular snacks in metropolitan cities, as it's conveniently available at every nook and corner, whilst being economical. Coated with a chickpea batter and deep-fried to a light golden brown colour, and stuffed with a potato mixture, it is served with a combination of spicy mint chutney and tangy-sweet chutney. Popular among working-class individuals and school/college students, it's extremely economical and it is packed with flavour. By the description alone, you must have already figured out that this snack is not particularly healthy. But did you know how many calories each serving pack? Well, you need not scratch your head anymore, as in today’s know-your-calories we have got you covered.
Ingredients: A combination of a potato sandwich that is coated in a chickpea batter and deep-fried, this street-side snack is loaded with calories. The ingredients are white bread that primarily comprises refined flour, chickpea flour, and a spicy mixture of potatoes, it's not calorically light.
Carbohydrates: 31 grams or 124 Kcal comes from Carbohydrates alone, most of which come from the refined flour in bread and potatoes. Being high on the glycemic index, these carbohydrates will spike your blood sugar almost instantly. Besides being empty calories that add to your daily calories without adding much value to your daily nutrition, this quick snack will barely help you meet your daily nutritional intake.
Fats: Most if not all the fats come from refined palm oil that is heated beyond its smoking point multiple times and is reused, releasing many carcinogens as well. Just one bread pakoda contains 19 grams of fat or 171 Kcal. In fact, fats contribute almost half the calories making it one unhealthy snack.
Protein: As always, with every street food, the most important macronutrient is available in the lowest quantity at a mere 7.8 grams or 31.2 Kcal. To make matters worse, it also happens to be an incomplete source of protein, as the protein is derived from bread and chickpea flour, both of which are incomplete sources of protein.
Most roadside eateries also do not maintain basic hygiene levels and use water that can be contaminated. The oil, as mentioned above is almost black, as it is heated and cooled multiple times, and resembles crude oil at best. Most of the roadside eateries serve it in old newspapers that have been gathering dust and can contain harmful pathogens such as E-Coli and salmonella that can make you extremely sick.
It's important to ensure that you feed your body with nutritious foods at all times, and if you must eat one of these unhealthy snacks once in a while then it is best if you prepare it at home, as you would be in control of the ingredients.
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