Gyro is one of the most popular Greek foods, which is somewhat similar to Mexican tacos and Middle Eastern shawarma. All these food recipes are actually derived from the basic Turkish recipe which is known as döner kebab. 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 and other vegetables, sauces and condiments. Regardless of the wonderful taste, here is an article on the one thing which is bothersome for most people who enjoy this wonderful dish - gyro calories.
Information on Gyro
The calories depend a lot on the way in which it is served. Typically, pork is used for making traditional Greece and Cyprus versions of gyro. Along with pork; lamb, beef and chicken is also used separately or in combination. Along with meat, gyro also contains an interesting tzatziki sauce recipe, vegetables like onions, lettuce, tomatoes and fried potatoes etc. The pita bread which is used for making gyro, comes in three types, namely, plain, Arabic and Cypriot pita. Generally, the thicker one (plain pita) is used in a gyro sandwich recipe. You can find a lot of variants of the original gyro recipe across the world, and hence, the calories in gyro vary greatly as well.
Along with the above mentioned 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 all these vitamins and minerals, people who make gyro often state that it is a healthy recipe and can also be rated as a full meal, which is an exaggeration, if we take calories in gyro into the consideration. Typically, calories in plain gyro (without any bread wrapping and salad seasoning) are about 400, which is not so healthy!
Comparison of Gyro
Typical Greek gyro sandwich contains lamb, tzatziki sauce, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, etc., which are wrapped in plain grilled pita bread. Such Greek gyro calories are about 667, with 16 g saturated fats, 1150 mg sodium and 42 g of total carbs. A fresh gyro salad which comes without any additions contains 1013 calories with higher levels of sodium and carbs. If you order the gyro sauce or salad dressing with it, the calories get increased by 110 with 2% of total fat. However, if you compare the calories in chicken gyro with lamb gyro, you will certainly come to know that lamb and/or beef gyro calories are much more manageable than the calories in chicken gyro. 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 and definitely can't be less than that. Depending on the calories , it also gets about 3 points in the weight watchers points list. But, this still means that the calories are arguably less than pizzas and hamburgers. Well, this was all about 'gyro: calories in gyro'. If you can't resist eating gyro, then my advice would be to have it in moderation. It is the best way to stay healthy!
Information on Gyro
The calories depend a lot on the way in which it is served. Typically, pork is used for making traditional Greece and Cyprus versions of gyro. Along with pork; lamb, beef and chicken is also used separately or in combination. Along with meat, gyro also contains an interesting tzatziki sauce recipe, vegetables like onions, lettuce, tomatoes and fried potatoes etc. The pita bread which is used for making gyro, comes in three types, namely, plain, Arabic and Cypriot pita. Generally, the thicker one (plain pita) is used in a gyro sandwich recipe. You can find a lot of variants of the original gyro recipe across the world, and hence, the calories in gyro vary greatly as well.
| Nutrition | Amount | Daily Value (%) |
| Calories | 630.9 | - |
| Calories from fat | 131.40 | - |
| Total fat | 14.57 g | 22% |
| Saturated fat | 5.69 g | 28% |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 1.59 g | - |
| Monounsaturated fat | 5.25 g | - |
| Cholesterol | 128.1 mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 1011.7 mg | 42% |
| Potassium | 777.77 mg | 22% |
| Total carbs | 77.26 g | 26% |
| Dietary fibers | 3.88 g | 16% |
| Protein | 44.8 g | 90% |
Along with the above mentioned 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 all these vitamins and minerals, people who make gyro often state that it is a healthy recipe and can also be rated as a full meal, which is an exaggeration, if we take calories in gyro into the consideration. Typically, calories in plain gyro (without any bread wrapping and salad seasoning) are about 400, which is not so healthy!
Comparison of Gyro
Typical Greek gyro sandwich contains lamb, tzatziki sauce, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, etc., which are wrapped in plain grilled pita bread. Such Greek gyro calories are about 667, with 16 g saturated fats, 1150 mg sodium and 42 g of total carbs. A fresh gyro salad which comes without any additions contains 1013 calories with higher levels of sodium and carbs. If you order the gyro sauce or salad dressing with it, the calories get increased by 110 with 2% of total fat. However, if you compare the calories in chicken gyro with lamb gyro, you will certainly come to know that lamb and/or beef gyro calories are much more manageable than the calories in chicken gyro. 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 and definitely can't be less than that. Depending on the calories , it also gets about 3 points in the weight watchers points list. But, this still means that the calories are arguably less than pizzas and hamburgers. Well, this was all about 'gyro: calories in gyro'. If you can't resist eating gyro, then my advice would be to have it in moderation. It is the best way to stay healthy!