Siri Paye Calories Calculator
Siri Paye is Pakistan's most revered winter breakfast and celebratory stew — slow-cooked trotters (paye) and sometimes head meat (siri) simmered overnight in a spiced broth until the bones release their collagen and the meat falls effortlessly apart. At 150 kcal per 100g — the lowest calorie density among all 20 Pakistan Batch 1 foods — it is a nutritionally rich, protein-moderate, and collagen-dense meal that benefits joint health, skin, and digestive function.
Siri Paye Calculator
To burn about 150 kcal you may need roughly:
Siri Paye nutrition tips
Siri Paye's low calorie count (150 kcal per 100g) is partly misleading — much of the bulk in a bowl of Siri Paye is bone-in trotters and gelatinous broth with minimal actual edible meat content. A full bowl (approximately 400g with bones and broth) provides around 600 kcal but only approximately 50–60g of edible meat. Track calories based on actual meat consumed rather than total bowl weight.
How to use this calculator
Enter the weight of the broth and meat portion (excluding large bones) in grams. A typical serving of Siri Paye is 300–500g of bone-in trotters, with approximately 50–80g of edible meat per trotter. The calculator uses 150 kcal per 100g for the combined broth and meat content.
Best for fitness goals
Siri Paye is particularly valuable for its collagen content — slow-cooked bones and connective tissue release gelatin, which the body converts to collagen for joint, skin, and gut health. For athletes and gym-goers, Siri Paye broth acts as a natural joint supplement. Its high glycine content also improves sleep quality.
Siri Paye — Complete Pakistan Calorie Guide
Siri Paye is one of Pakistan's oldest and most nutritionally sophisticated dishes — a slow-cooked stew made from the trotters (paye) and sometimes the head (siri) of goat or cow, simmered for 6–12 hours with whole spices including black cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon, and cumin until the collagen in the connective tissue fully dissolves into the broth, creating a thick, gelatinous, highly nutritious stock. The dish appears at dawn at dedicated Siri Paye restaurants across Pakistan, serving customers who arrive before morning prayers for what many consider the most fortifying breakfast available in Pakistani cuisine.
At 150 kcal per 100g, Siri Paye appears low-calorie on paper, but context matters. The weight of a bowl of Siri Paye includes a significant proportion of bone, which contributes no calories. The edible content — broth and meat — sits at approximately 150 kcal per 100g, but the actual volume of edible content per bowl is limited by the bone structure. A standard serving bowl (approximately 400g total) contains roughly 600 kcal of actual edible nutrition from the collagen-rich broth and the tender trotter meat. This makes Siri Paye a more moderate-calorie meal than its reputation as a heavy, indulgent dish might suggest.
Portion Guide (Bowl Estimates)
| Serving | Approx Total Weight | Estimated Edible Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small bowl (2 trotters) | ~300g total | ~300–350 kcal |
| Standard bowl (3 trotters) | ~450g total | ~450–500 kcal |
| Large bowl (4 trotters) | ~600g total | ~600–650 kcal |
| With 1 naan added | — | ~250 kcal extra |
Collagen and Joint Health Benefits
The long slow-cooking process of Siri Paye is essentially a natural collagen-extraction technique. The connective tissue, skin, cartilage, and bone marrow in trotters contain large amounts of type I and type III collagen, which dissolves into the broth as gelatin during the extended cooking process. When consumed, this gelatin is absorbed and distributed to joint cartilage, skin, and gut lining. Research supports the role of dietary collagen in reducing joint pain in active individuals, improving skin elasticity, and enhancing gut barrier function — making Siri Paye an inadvertent functional food as well as a cultural staple.
Macronutrient Breakdown per 100g (broth + meat)
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per 300g edible portion |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 14g | 42g |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 6g |
| Fat | 10g | 30g |
Weight Loss Tips
Siri Paye is actually an excellent food for calorie-conscious Pakistanis because of its high collagen and protein content relative to calorie density. The gelatinous broth is extremely filling due to the glycine content, which acts as a mild appetite suppressant. A bowl of Siri Paye for breakfast tends to produce stronger satiety than most Pakistani breakfast options of similar calorie content. For weight loss, skim visible fat from the surface of the broth before eating — this removes 50–80 kcal per bowl of rendered fat without affecting flavour significantly. Avoid adding extra ghee or butter at the table.
Muscle Gain and Active Lifestyle
For active individuals, Siri Paye provides unique benefits not available from lean protein sources alone. The glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline in the collagen-rich broth directly support tendon and ligament repair — the connective tissues most commonly injured during heavy training. Many Pakistani athletes and gym-goers consume Siri Paye as a recovery meal specifically for this reason, supplementing their regular protein intake with the connective tissue nutrients that standard muscle meat cannot provide. Adding a protein-rich side such as eggs or a small serving of chicken alongside Siri Paye creates a more complete post-training meal.
Activity Burn Estimates
| Activity | Time to burn 450 kcal (standard bowl) |
|---|---|
| Brisk walking (5 km/h) | ~75 minutes |
| Jogging (8 km/h) | ~39 minutes |
| Swimming | ~43 minutes |
| Cycling (moderate) | ~51 minutes |
Siri Paye Across Pakistan's Regions
Siri Paye is prepared differently across Pakistan's regions. In Lahore, it is eaten as an early-morning breakfast served with naan, and specialist restaurants open from 4 AM specifically for this trade. Karachi's version is often spicier and sometimes includes both siri (head) and paye (trotters). KPK and FATA regions prepare their version with goat trotters cooked in a simpler spice base, often without the rich masala of Punjabi-style Siri Paye. In Balochistan, the dish is sometimes part of Sajji preparations where the entire animal is used ceremonially. All versions share the slow-cooking method and the resulting collagen-dense broth.
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FAQs
How many calories in Siri Paye?
A standard bowl of Siri Paye with 3 trotters (approximately 450g total with bones) contains approximately 450–500 kcal of edible nutrition from broth and meat.
Is Siri Paye good for joints?
Yes — the collagen extracted from slow-cooked trotters is one of the richest dietary sources of type I and III collagen, which supports joint cartilage and tendon health.
Is Siri Paye good for weight loss?
It is lower in calories than most Pakistani meat dishes. Skim the surface fat before eating to reduce calories further. The collagen broth produces strong satiety.
How long should Siri Paye cook?
Traditional Siri Paye requires 6–10 hours of slow cooking on low heat for the collagen to fully dissolve into the broth. Pressure cooker preparation reduces this to 2–3 hours.
What is the difference between Siri and Paye?
Paye are trotters (feet and lower leg). Siri is the head meat. Siri Paye combines both, though many restaurants serve only paye. The siri adds additional brain meat and facial meat.
Nutritional data based on standard Pakistani recipes and regional databases. Values vary by preparation method, oil quantity, and portion size. Use as a general guide only.