The Dish: Falafel pita has more calories, sodium than Big Mac
August 12, 2010
Megan Ogilvie
HEALTH REPORTER
DISH: Falafel pita
RESTAURANT: Tov-Li
LOCATION: 3519 Bathurst St., one of two locations in Toronto
PRICE: $4.38
Serving size: 520 grams
Chris Kostecki is a self-professed foodie. He and his wife roam Toronto for the best tasting dishes, from pizza to poutine, roti to rotisserie chicken.
When he’s in the mood for falafel, Kostecki heads to Tov-Li, a bustling place that dubs itself “a kosher restaurant at the heart of Toronto.”
“It’s one of the only places in Toronto where you can get really good kosher-style falafel,” he says.
Because the falafel pita is his favourite, Kostecki asked the Dish to find out what he was getting nutrition-wise when he went to Tov-Li for lunch.
“It’s a moist, fresh pita and stuffed into it are nice salads with falafel balls and tahini,” he says. “You could fool yourself that it’s a nice, light snack because it has lots of veggies in a light pita. But I’m curious to see how it really stacks up. I probably need a reality check.”
Well, Chris, here it comes.
The nutrition numbers show the falafel pita has more calories, more sodium and the same amount of fat as a Big Mac from McDonalds.
“This pita has 760 calories, while a Big Mac has 540,” says registered dietitian Zannat Reza. “I think that would be a surprise for a lot of people.”
It is a little bit of a shock since we collectively place the Big Mac at the top of the heap of ultimate in bad-for-you foods.
“But the good news is there is an easy way to control the nutrition numbers: just eat half,” says Reza, noting Tov-Li offers a half falafel pita on their menu. “That brings it to about 365 calories and 15 grams of fat, very reasonable for lunch.”
Splitting the pita should be no hardship. This diner, during her first foray to Tov-Li, was overwhelmed by how much the cheery server could stuff into the pita without splitting its seams; this thing is seriously huge.
Reza also recommends choosing just one of the pickled toppings. The full version that we tested comes with an array of pickles and has 1,560 mg of sodium.
“That’s more sodium than your body needs in one day,” she says. “Those pickles are where all the sodium is lurking.”
VERDICT: Order a half pita. It will be plenty.
Find out how other popular take-out meals stack up:
Chicken clubhouse
Chicken quesadilla
Dangerous Dan's burger
Deli chicken
Fit for Life salad
Roasted vegetable Bagellini
Ikea cinnamon bun
Cora's breakfast
Meat-lovers' pizza
Vendor hot dog
Lemon Tart
Veggie Samosas
Tim Hortons Hot Breakfast Sausage Sandwich
Spicy Salmon Sushi Roll
Pad Thai
Veal Parmigiano
Peameal Bacon Breakfast Sandwich
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