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How Many Calories Are in a Pigeon with Meat and Rice in Tomato Sauce? A Source of the Mineral Potassium

Felix Weber

Felix Weber

2026-03-25
3 min. read
How Many Calories Are in a Pigeon with Meat and Rice in Tomato Sauce? A Source of the Mineral Potassium
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Pigeons are one of the most frequently desired ideas for a traditional Polish dinner. The dish consists of a meat-rice mass wrapped in a cabbage leaf and served with tomato sauce. There is also a vegetarian variant with buckwheat and mushrooms. Pigeons are a nutritious meal, providing protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Moreover, they are a rich source of potassium, calcium, and vitamin A.

Nutritional makeup

100 grams of tomato sauce pigeons contain only 111 kcal. It provides the full range of macronutrients, making it a balanced meal. Additionally, it provides important amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It also contains B vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins: A, E, D. This traditional dish provides approximately 2 grams of dietary fiber. Nutritional value in 100 grams: Calories: 111 kcal, Protein: 4.6 g, Fat: 5.7 g, Carbohydrates: 11.2 g, Fiber: 1.8 g, Macro- and micronutrients: Sodium: 24 mg, Potassium: 234 mg, Calcium: 43 mg, Phosphorus: 57 mg, Magnesium: 13 mg, Iron: 0.5 mg, Zinc: 0.74 mg, Copper: 0.05 mg, Manganese: 0.22 mg, Vitamins: Vitamin A: 54 µg, Vitamin D: 0.1 µg, Vitamin E: 1.41 mg, Thiamine: 0.125 mg, Riboflavin: 0.077 mg, Niacin: 1.13 mg, Vitamin B6: 0.12 mg, Folate: 32.3 µg, Vitamin C: 22.6 mg.

Potassium

Classic cauliflower in tomato sauce is a source of potassium, which participates in protein and carbohydrate metabolism and activates certain enzymes in the human body. Moreover, it impacts the osmotic pressure in cells, as well as water and electrolyte homeostasis. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in the proper functioning of smooth muscles and blood vessels. Current research has shown that low potassium intake may increase the risk of diabetes or insulin resistance.

Source of fat-soluble nutrients essential for the proper functioning of the body

Pigeons are a source of substantial amounts of vitamin E, which is essential for the proper functioning of the reproductive organs in both men and women. They have also been shown to have cancer-suppressing properties, which reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. This vitamin affects the immune system and inhibits the aggregation of blood platelets. The addition of tomato sauce increases the amount of vitamin A in the dish, which contributes to improving visual processes and skin condition. Vitamin D, on the other hand, can play a significant role in maintaining the balance of calcium metabolism. It is believed that its deficiency may contribute to the development of cancer.

The Components

In order to enhance the nutritional value of pigeons, several modifications can be made. White rice can be substituted with whole grain rice, and red meat with lean poultry. These modifications will result in the dish being enriched not only with an additional dose of vitamins and minerals, but also with valuable dietary fiber. It is also important to avoid preparing the sauce on the basis of fat cream or butter. The preparation time of the entire dish should also be carefully controlled, as the rice should not be overcooked, especially if the meal is to be consumed by a person with diabetes. Versions with legumes or other sauces (e.g. mushroom) should also be prepared with due care to retain as many valuable nutrients as possible.

A bit of practice

The most popular version of pigeons are those made with pork, white rice, and sweet cabbage, served with tomato sauce. However, it is worth mentioning that they can also be prepared from completely different ingredients. In the eastern part of the country, the traditional holiday dish is pigeons made from buckwheat-hulled millet and mushrooms, wrapped in sauerkraut. Apart from the ingredients, pigeons can also vary in form. On the market, there are ready-made dishes that contain the basic components such as meat, rice, cabbage, and tomato sauce, but they resemble a goulash more than a stuffed cabbage roll with separate sauce. 1 pigeon (140 g) = 155 kcal.
Felix Weber

Felix Weber

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