Staying Fit During Passover: A Nutritionist's Guide

Passover is here, and along with it come tables laden with delicious foods - but every calorie counts too. Mariana Orbach, a clinical dietitian and head of nutrition at Clalit Health Services in the Dan-Petah Tikva district, explains to Maariv, "One piece of matzah contains about 140 calories - twice as much as a regular slice of bread, even though it is less filling."

She notes that it's a common mistake to think of matzah as a harmless substitute for bread. Orbach warns that the holiday's traditional foods - like coconut cookies, kneidelach, and gefilte fish - can unexpectedly increase your daily calorie intake.

"A single Passover cookie packs around 100 calories, and a kneidel is the same," Orbach details. "A serving of gefilte fish can climb up to 400 calories. When it comes to grilled chicken, you're looking at roughly 250 calories per leg, while a 200-gram serving of beef contains between 380 to 400 calories - depending, of course, on the sauce."

And what about the seemingly "innocent" soup? "Clear chicken soup contains about 100 calories, one egg is about 70, and a boiled potato can reach up to 100 calories. Even a small bowl of compote in syrup can add around 160 calories."

The solution? Orbach suggests reducing portion sizes, choosing lean proteins and vegetables, and remembering that "mindful eating can make all the difference."