Ful Medames Saudi Calories 🫘
Calculate ful medames calories for Saudi servings. Spiced fava beans with olive oil and lemon — one of the best high-fibre Saudi breakfast options.
Ful Medames Saudi Calculator
To burn about 110 kcal you may need roughly:
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and common recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredient brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.
What Is Ful Medames Saudi?
Ful medames (Arabic: فول مدمس) is a staple breakfast dish across the Arab world and is extremely popular in Saudi Arabia. Slow-cooked fava beans are mashed and seasoned with olive oil, cumin, lemon juice, garlic and sometimes chilli. In Saudi Arabia, ful is commonly served with tamees bread or pita for dipping and topped with a fried egg. It is naturally high in protein and dietary fibre, low in fat, and one of the most calorie-efficient Saudi breakfast options. A standard bowl of ful medames (300g) contains approximately 210–280 kcal before bread accompaniments.
Calories at a Glance
| Portion | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bowl (no bread) | 300g | 210–280 kcal |
| Bowl with 1 egg on top | 350g | 280–360 kcal |
| Bowl with tamees piece | 500g | 480–600 kcal |
| Ful medames only (100g) | 100g | ~90 kcal |
| With olive oil drizzle | 300g | 300–380 kcal |
How to Use This Calculator
To estimate accurately, enter the grams of Ful Medames Saudi you consumed rather than a guess at plate size. In practice, a standard bowl (no bread) (300g) comes to about 210–280 kcal, while a bowl with 1 egg on top is closer to 280–360 kcal. Oil quantity and preparation style shift these numbers, so treat the output as a realistic range for planning your remaining meals of the day.
Ful Medames Saudi — Calorie and Nutrition Breakdown (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Daily % (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 90 kcal | 4% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g | 18% |
Calories by Preparation Method
Ful medames made from scratch with canned or dried fava beans is very low in calories. The calorie count increases with olive oil — a generous drizzle (2 tablespoons) adds 240 kcal. Restaurant ful often contains more oil than home-cooked versions. Adding a fried egg on top is a very efficient protein boost (approximately 90 kcal per egg).
Ful Medames Saudi for Weight Loss
Ful medames is one of the top weight-loss priority foods in the Saudi and Middle Eastern context. It is high in fibre (5g per 100g), moderate in protein, very low in fat (when oil is controlled), and extremely filling per calorie. A 300g bowl of ful medames (no bread, minimal oil) runs 210–280 kcal — one of the most calorie-efficient complete-food breakfasts in the Saudi diet.
Ful Medames Saudi for Muscle Gain
Ful medames provides plant protein from fava beans (6g per 100g) alongside complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. While the protein is moderate, adding an egg on top or pairing with labneh significantly boosts the protein content to 25–35g per meal. The iron and zinc in fava beans support energy metabolism and immune function important for active individuals.
Smart Comparison
Ful medames is one of the lowest-calorie high-fibre Saudi breakfast dishes — significantly lighter than saleeg with chicken, mutabbaq, or shakshuka with bread. Among Saudi and Middle Eastern protein sources, ful medames provides the most fibre per calorie, making it the most filling per unit of calorie intake.
Portion Control Advice
A 300g bowl of ful is the standard single serving. Eat with one small piece of tamees (100g) rather than a full loaf. Add one egg on top for extra protein without a significant calorie increase. Use a teaspoon of olive oil as a drizzle rather than a tablespoon to halve the added fat calories.
Practical Eating Tips
Add fresh lemon juice, cumin and garlic to intensify flavour without any calorie increase. Fresh chopped tomatoes and herbs (parsley, coriander) on top add micronutrients and volume. Avoid excess olive oil — the beans already contain natural complex flavour without needing heavy fat additions.
Common Mistakes
Using 2–3 tablespoons of olive oil in or on the ful adds 240–360 kcal to what would otherwise be a very low-calorie dish. Eating a full tamees loaf (350g) instead of one small piece adds 650 kcal in bread. Adding too much tahini (sesame paste) significantly increases fat and calories — use sparingly or omit.
Burn This Food — Activity Equivalents
A standard serving (~260 kcal) requires approximately:
| Activity | Approx. Duration |
|---|---|
| Brisk Walking | ~47 min |
| Jogging | ~29 min |
| Swimming | ~32 min |
| Cycling | ~37 min |
Burn times vary by body weight, fitness level and exercise intensity.
Health Considerations
Fava beans are one of the most nutritious legumes — high in fibre, folate, iron, manganese and plant protein. The dietary fibre supports healthy digestion, blood sugar regulation and cholesterol management. People with G6PD deficiency (a genetic enzyme disorder common in some Middle Eastern populations) should avoid fava beans as they can trigger haemolytic anaemia — this is an important health consideration specific to the Saudi and Middle Eastern context. Ful medames is naturally gluten-free, vegan and suitable for most dietary patterns.
Healthy Alternative Tips
Lower Calorie Option: Ask for ful with a light oil drizzle instead of the heavy pour, and eat it with a spoon rather than scooping with extra tamees — the bread often carries more calories than the beans.
Higher Protein Option: Grilled Chicken Saudi or Chicken Kebab Saudi for a leaner, protein-rich alternative.
Smarter Swap: Use the Food Compare tool to compare Ful Medames Saudi side-by-side with other Saudi foods.
Related Tools
FAQs
How many calories in ful medames?
A standard bowl (300g without bread) contains approximately 210–280 calories. With an olive oil drizzle, this rises to 300–380 kcal.
Is ful medames good for weight loss?
Yes — ful medames is one of the best weight-loss Saudi breakfast foods. High in fibre and protein, low in calories, and very filling.
Is ful medames healthy?
Yes. Fava beans are rich in fibre, folate, iron and plant protein. Ful medames is a nutritionally complete, whole-food breakfast option.
Can people with G6PD deficiency eat ful medames?
No. People with G6PD deficiency should avoid fava beans as they can trigger haemolytic anaemia. This genetic condition is relatively common in some Middle Eastern populations.
What do you eat with ful medames?
Ful medames is most commonly served with tamees bread or pita for dipping, topped with a fried or boiled egg, and accompanied by fresh vegetables.
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and Saudi recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredients and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.