If, like me, you grew up in Israel in the 70s and 80s, there is a good chance the name "Shalva" brings back sweet memories. The coated puffed wheat, which accompanied generations of children and adults, was once an inseparable part of neighborhood grocery stores and school kiosks. Today, more than ever, in a time when we snack more, is this veteran treat still relevant?
What is Shalva? So for those who have not noticed that such a product even exists – Shalva is a sweet made from puffed wheat with a sweet coating, which originally was mainly common in markets and small candy shops. In recent years, with shelves flooded with more processed snacks, it seems to have fallen off the radar for many – but it can still be found in certain places, and even in slightly different versions.
Nutritional values per 100 grams of Shalva: At first glance, Shalva looks like an innocent snack – after all, it is made from whole wheat (89%) and most of its sweet coating comes from brown sugar and corn syrup. Here are some details about Shalva:
Calories: 336.
Protein: 10.8 grams.
Carbohydrates: 75 grams, of which 10–25% are sugars (depending on the manufacturer and brand).
Dietary fiber: About 8 grams.
Fat: Only 1.6 grams.
Sodium: Only 10 mg.
Why do we not see it on every shelf? In an era where snack brands invest heavily in advertising and modern branding, nostalgic snacks like Shalva find themselves pushed aside. In addition, with the rise in awareness of healthy nutrition, many consumers are looking for alternatives with less sugar and more nutritional value.
Still, Shalva has a loyal audience. Traditional candy shops still offer it, and there are those who actively look for it.
How can you upgrade Shalva? If you like the texture and taste of Shalva but want to improve its nutritional value, here are a few ideas:
Add Shalva to yogurt with fruit instead of breakfast cereals that contain a high percentage of sugar (and unfortunately a large portion of them contain over 22% sugar).
Incorporate it into desserts, like a crunchy topping for melted chocolate.
Even in a weight loss diet Shalva can fit – as a snack between meals together with instant coffee, in an amount of 30 grams (about a disposable cup). In the end, Shalva is a sweet snack made from whole wheat, with little fat and salt, but still not a substitute for health food due to the high sugar content. Those looking for something nostalgic and less processed will find it an enjoyable option in moderation.