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Energy-dense seed-based sweet
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 piece (medium) of Poppy seed halva (35 g) has 179 calories. That works out to 512 calories per 100 g. It contains 14.6 g of carbs, 4.3 g of protein, 11.8 g of fat and 2.4 g of fiber. Its 0.4 mg of Copper covers 45% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 48 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 35 g
179
KCAL / 35G
Carbs
14.6g
· 5% DV
Protein
4.3g
· 9% DV
Fat
11.8g
· 15% DV
Fiber
2.4g
· 9% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 32% · Protein 9% · Fat 59%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 179 kcal | |
| Total fat | 11.8 g | 15% |
| Saturated fat | 1.43 g | 7% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 20 mg | 1% |
| Total carbohydrate | 14.6 g | 5% |
| Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% |
| Protein | 4.3 g | 9% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 35 g | 179 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (grated) | 18 g | 92 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 20 g | 102 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 25 g | 128 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (grated) | 36 g | 184 kcal |
| 1 slice (thick) | 45 g | 230 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 55 g | 282 kcal |
| ½ cup (diced) | 70 g | 358 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 85 g | 435 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 512 kcal |
Calculated from 512 calories per 100 g.
Poppy seed halva is made primarily from ground poppy seeds combined with a sweet binder, often sugar syrup. Recipes vary: some include tahini or other ingredients, so the texture can range from firm and crumbly to dense and slightly chewy.
Poppy seed halva has a sweet, rich taste with a distinct roasted, nutty flavor from the seeds. It is usually denser and more earthy-tasting than sesame-based halva, though the exact flavor depends on how the seeds are roasted and what else is added.
Poppy seed halva is based on ground poppy seeds, while tahini halva gets its main flavor from sesame paste. Both are sweet, dense confections, but poppy seed halva tends to taste earthier, whereas tahini halva has a more pronounced sesame flavor.
Poppy seed halva is a regional variation of halva found in Turkey, particularly associated with Afyonkarahisar, where poppy seeds are widely used in local cooking. Halva itself is made in many countries, but recipes and main ingredients differ from place to place.
Serve poppy seed halva in small pieces, either on its own or alongside tea or coffee. Its sweet, concentrated flavor also works as part of a dessert plate; it does not need extra sweetening, and a little can be enough after a meal.
Yes, poppy seed halva can be made at home by combining ground, often toasted poppy seeds with a hot sugar syrup and pressing the mixture into a mold. Homemade versions may include tahini, and careful mixing helps the halva set evenly.
No, eating ordinary poppy seed halva does not get you high. Food-grade poppy seeds come from the same plant associated with opium, but properly cleaned seeds do not have an intoxicating effect when eaten in a normal serving.
It is possible for foods containing poppy seeds to affect some drug tests, depending on seed residues, the amount eaten, and the test. The risk from halva varies; avoiding it before a scheduled test can help reduce the chance of a misleading result.
Keep poppy seed halva in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and heat. Moisture can change its texture and encourage spoilage; homemade halva with a moist consistency is better stored in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can crumble poppy seed halva into cakes, cookies, or pastry fillings for sweetness and a roasted seed flavor. Since it is already sweet and dense, reduce other sweet ingredients in the recipe and add it where its texture will remain noticeable.
Vitamins
B1
0.3mg · 25% DV
Biotin
2.1µg · 7% DV
Folate
23.8µg · 6% DV
B2
0.06mg · 5% DV
Minerals
Copper
0.4mg · 44% DV
Manganese
0.84mg · 37% DV
Calcium
343mg · 34% DV
Phosphorus
224mg · 32% DV
Potassium ⭐
151mg · 4% DV
Sodium
20mg · 1% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 179 calories in 1 piece (medium) (35 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Poppy seed halva is a dense sweet made by combining ground poppy seeds with sugar or syrup. It is associated with regions of Turkey where poppies are grown, and recipes vary: some versions are smooth and paste-like, while others have a firmer, crumbly texture.
Its flavour is nutty and gently roasted, balanced by a pronounced sweetness. In Turkey, it is commonly offered in small pieces with tea or served as a sweet after a meal; elsewhere, it can be enjoyed in the same way as other rich, sliceable halvas. Made largely from seeds, it is energy-dense and provides some protein and fibre. A modest piece with unsweetened tea makes a satisfying treat without adding more sweetness.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
1.43g
MONOUNSATURATED
2.34g
POLYUNSATURATED
6.61g
Omega 6:3 ratio 161:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (161:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.