Dawood Basha Meatballs
The time-honoured Ottoman heritage dish: spiced meatballs with onion, cooked in a thick tomato sauce with toasted pine nuts. The meatballs provide lean protein and the sauce adds antioxidants, giving the dish a moderate glycemic index (≈42) and a deep feeling of satisfaction and fullness.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Enjoy the meatballs and rich tomato sauce with a fork alongside a fresh green salad, with just two or three spoonfuls of white rice, to enjoy the flavour without overloading your blood sugar.
Best preparation methods
Bake the meatballs in the oven for a few minutes to drain excess fat and firm them up before adding them to the tomato sauce, and avoid adding cornflour or sugar to the sauce; thicken it by gentle simmering instead.
Important Nutritional Note
The lean beef or lamb in the meatballs is rich in haem iron and vitamin B12; it is an excellent meal for maintaining muscle and steady glucose levels when the rice on the side is moderate.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (250 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal | 375 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g | 30 g |
| Carbohydrate | 7 g | 17.5 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 5.4 g | 13.5 g |
| Fat | 9 g | 22.5 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.6 g | 4 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Soups & home-cooked dishes with a glycemic index (14), it ranks 10 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Are Dawood Basha Meatballs good for weight loss?
It can be a useful part of a weight-loss plan because it provides 8 g of protein per 100 kcal, and protein supports fullness. A 250 g portion gives 375 kcal.
How do Dawood Basha Meatballs affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 42 (Low), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 250 g portion has a glycemic load of 5.7 (Low), so the effect of this portion on blood sugar is limited.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Dawood Basha Meatballs?
A typical 250 g portion of Dawood Basha Meatballs provides about 375 kcal, 30 g protein, 17.5 g carbohydrate, 22.5 g fat and 4 g fibre.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.