15 Popular Israeli food & Health Benefits
Israeli foods are highly considered for its wholesome, fresh, healthy, flavourful, as well as texture.
Although it rich culinary tradition, is largely influenced by their neighbouring countries.
While many Nations have their favourite ingredients, Israelian dishes comprises of olives, figs, dates, pomegranates, wheat, barley, grapes, wheat, chickpeas, dairy products, fish, tomatoes and eggplants.
A trip to Israeli cities, will expose you to various incredible foods like Hummus, Falafel, Shawarma, Kibbeh, Israeli Salad, Malabi
Let’s explore 15 Popular Israeli food & Health Benefits
1. Hummus
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Incorporating traditional food of Israeli earn you a generous amount of nutrients. It is tasty, and seen on every street and restaurants of the town.
Hummus is made through mashed chickpeas, sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. Many people prefer eating hummus with pita bread whereas some chose vegetables.
Hummus provides nutrients like protein, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, fat, vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, quercetin, lycopene,
2. Falafel
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Falafel is cooked through Deep-fried balls, though it is a popular food in Israeli cuisine.
When you are preparing falafel make sure you adequately mix ground chickpeas or fava beans, herbs, spices and onions.
Generally, citizens of Israei eat falafel in pita bread with salad, tahini sauce, and pickles to obtain certain nutrients like protein, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, selenium, quercetin, lycopene, flavonoids etc
3. Shawarma
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Shawarma is a popular food in both Israeli and other Asian countries. Shawarma is cooked by marinating lamb, beef or chicken.
To derive optimum satisfaction, Shawarma is served in a pita bread with salad, as well as tahini.
Shawarma is loaded with protein, selenium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, carbohydrates, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, zinc.
4. Shakshuka
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Shakshuka is a popular breakfast dish prepare with poached eggs cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce with onions, bell peppers, cumin and paprika.
Shakshuka is loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, potassium, magnesium, iron, dietary fiber, protein, and antioxidant.
5. Sabich
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It is a popular food, consist of fried eggplant slices, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, Israeli salad, tahini sauce and a tangy mango pickle.
In terms of nutrients, it has a considerable amount of nutrients ranging from protein, minerals, dietary fiber, phytochemicals, and fat.
6. Israeli Salad
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This a traditional dish made with ingredients produced within the country.
Ingredients include cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil.
As the name suggests, Israeli salad is used as refreshing side dish. This healthy salad contains vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, fiber,
7. Burekas
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Another healthy meal is burekas as it consists of cheese, spinach, potatoes, or mushrooms. This baked dish can be eaten anytime depending on your meal plan.
Burekas got it massive adoption because of it’s fragrance and nutritional content such as dietary fibre,protein , vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, selenium, vitamin E, zinc, copper, magnesium, antioxidant.
8. Kibbeh
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Kibbeh is traditional dish made from ground meat, bulgur wheat, onions, and spices. Kibbeh provides various nutrients to the body like protein, fat, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals as well as antioxidant
9. Malabi
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Malabi is a sweet dessert made from milk or coconut milk, season with orange blossom water, and topped with pistachios.
10. Chraime
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A spicy stew of fish made with tomatoes. The delicious meal is often eaten with fresh loaf of Challah bread.
11.Chicken soup
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While it’s recipe vary, common ingredients include; potatoes, carrots, and celery. Chicken soup has a distinctive flavors and nutrients packed.
12. Cholent
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This is a delicious meal commonly eaten on Saturday. The popular Jewish stew consist of beef, potatoes, beans, and hard-boiled eggs. It contains numerous nutrients such as protein, iron, selenium, vitamin A, and dietary fiber.
13. Halva
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A popular dessert prepared from sesame paste. Both citizens and foreigners greatly consume Halva primarily because of it’s rich protein content as well as others minerals, vitamins.
14. Babka
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A healthy bread stuffed with chocolate; It goes well with black coffee. However, it is believed to have been originated from Jewish community residing in Europe like Poland and Ukraine.
15. Bamba
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Bamba serve as a national delicacy. The corn snack is sweet, flavorful and offers low calories.
Israeli traditional food Health Benefits
Maintains Heart Health: Eating adequate amount of Israeli food helps protect your heart against heart failure. As they contain bioactive compounds, vitamin E, vitamin C and dietary fiber.
Improve immune system: There is no doubt that they support immune system owing to the presence of vitamin C, vitamin A, protein and fiber.
Promote skin & Hair care: As a rich source of protein. Protein is known for skin and hair maintenance. Protein houses elastin and collagen that makes the skin to perform its functions effectively.
Aid Digestion: Apart from being good sources of dietary fiber, boosting beneficial bacteria, they stimulate secretion of digestive juice.
May prevent cancer: Cancer is a life threatening disease, which destroys tissues and cells. Taking foods loaded with essential nutrients such as antioxidant, vitamin E, and vitamin C help reduce growth of cancer.
Conclusion
Israel has a diverse culinary tradition which reflects their cultural heritage.
Numerous food ingredients are involved in cooking fantastic Israeli popular foods.
Intake of Israeli foods provide a wide range of health benefits include digestion, immunity, maintains Heart Health among others.
15 Popular Israeli food & Health Benefits: Sabich, Bamba, Malabi, Kibbeh, Burekas, Falafel.
