In the U.S., it’s pretty common to see food trends come and go. One moment, kale is the “it” superfood, and the next moment there are new buzzwords like fudgsicles or watermelon that seem to take over every grocery store. It can get a little confusing trying to make sense of it all. Are these foods really good for you? Or do they just seem that way because of clever marketing? And this is exactly what happened with pierogies (also called pirogi or pirogi). This Eastern European comfort food has been around for centuries, but in recent years they have become so trendy that they are almost impossible to avoid. Even celebrities like Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez have posted pictures of themselves eating them. But before you decide whether or not you should eat pierogies as often as those famous people do… Let’s take a look at whether or not these dumplings are actually that healthy.

Are Pierogies Healthy?

Yes, pierogies are healthy. They are made with potatoes, which are nutritious vegetables, and they are typically boiled, which means that they retain most of their nutritional value. Pierogies can also be made with other vegetables or meat, making them a versatile and healthy dish.

Nutrition Of Pierogies

1. Calories

One serving of pierogies has 150 calories, which is pretty low for a food that is considered to be “comfort food”. However, since there are so many calories in this dish, you may want to keep portion sizes small.

2. Carbohydrates

Pierogies are made up of mostly carbs. They are basically a mixture of potatoes and flour that has been wrapped in dough and fried or baked. The typical serving size for pierogies is about 2 oz (about the size of two fingers). The carbs in this dish come from starch and sugars. Most people do not eat the filling (which is mainly potatoes). Instead, they eat just the doughy outer shell (which contains mostly flour). This means that while pierogies have a lot of carbs, they are not high in fiber or healthy carbohydrates like vegetables or fruits.

3. Dietary Fiber

Pierogies have 0 grams of dietary fiber per serving. This means that for every serving of pierogies, you are getting almost no healthy fiber. Most people who eat pierogies usually choose the filling because it is much healthier (it is made from potatoes, which are a good source of vitamins and minerals). However, if you are going to eat the doughy outer shell instead of the filling, then you will be getting virtually no dietary fiber at all.

4. Sugars

Pierogies have 2 grams of sugar per serving. This is not too bad since most people do not eat the filling and just eat the doughy outer shell. However, if you do want to eat both parts (the doughy outer shell and filling), then you would have to get very creative with your meal planning so that you do not consume too many calories or carbs. For example, try eating pierogies with a side salad or some fresh fruit instead of having them as a main dish. If that doesn’t work, try to find a way to make your pierogies more filling by adding more filling and less dough.

5. Protein

Pierogies have 0 grams of protein per serving. This means that for every serving of pierogies, you are getting no dietary protein at all. Most people who eat pierogies usually choose the filling because it is much healthier (it is made from potatoes, which are a good source of vitamins and minerals). However, if you are going to eat the doughy outer shell instead of the filling, then you will be getting virtually no dietary protein at all.

6. Fat

Pierogies have 0 grams of fat per serving. This means that for every serving of pierogies, you are getting no dietary fat at all. Most people who eat pierogies usually choose the filling because it is much healthier (it is made from potatoes, which are a good source of vitamins and minerals). However, if you are going to eat the doughy outer shell instead of the filling, then you will be getting virtually no dietary fat at all.

7. Calories

Pierogies have 190 calories per serving. This is a pretty high-calorie count for a dish that is mainly made of carbs and fiber. If you are going to eat pierogies as a meal, try to find ways to make them more filling by adding more filling and less dough (for example, try eating pierogies with a side salad or some fresh fruit instead of having them as a main dish). If that doesn’t work, try to find ways to make your pierogies more filling by adding more filling and less dough (for example, try eating pierogies with a side salad or some fresh fruit instead of having them as a main dish).

The Bad Stuff About Pierogies

1. They Are Full of Salt

Pierogies are made with a lot of fat and salt, so they are definitely not good for you. It is estimated that pierogies contain about 30 percent more fat than a potato-stuffed burger and about 40 percent more salt than a bacon cheeseburger. This high-fat, high-sodium content can be unhealthy for anyone, but especially those who have high cholesterol or are at risk for heart disease. Pierogies can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease if eaten regularly because they have been shown to increase blood pressure in those with elevated cholesterol.

2. They Are High in Calories

Pierogies also contain a lot of calories: about 250 per serving! So if you’re planning on eating three pierogies (the average serving size), that’s almost 600 calories! And if you’re eating them every day as part of your diet, this could cause weight gain, which is not good for anyone.

3. They Contain High-Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that is made from corn, but it’s very different from regular sugar because it does not have any fiber in it. This means that high-fructose corn syrup provides no nutritional value and can lead to obesity and other health problems because of its high-calorie content. According to research done at the University of California San Diego, who tested the effects of high-fructose corn syrup on mice, this sweetener increases the amount of fat in the liver and body by causing an increase in lipogenesis (fat production). This means that you will gain weight just by eating pierogies! So if you are trying to lose weight or are at risk for obesity, then these dumplings could be a big problem for your health!

4. They Contain Nitrates Preservatives

Another thing to be wary of when eating pierogies is their use of nitrates as a preservative. Nitrates are found naturally in some foods, but they are also used as preservatives in food because they prevent the growth of bacteria. But nitrates have been shown to cause cancer in animals, and have been linked to diabetes, low birth-weight babies, and cardiovascular disease. If you’re eating these dumplings regularly, then you may want to limit your consumption of them because they could be unhealthy for you!

5. They Are High in Sodium

Sodium is a mineral that is important for health. But too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems if consumed regularly. According to research done at the University of California San Diego, people who eat high amounts of sodium increase their risk for type 2 diabetes by about 20 percent! So if you’re eating pierogies every day as part of your diet, then you could be at risk for gaining weight and developing other health problems.

6. They Contain a Lot of Fat

If you’re trying to lose weight or don’t want to gain weight, then it is important to watch the amount of fat that you eat. Fat is one of the main reasons why people gain weight over time, so being aware of how much fat you are eating can be very important in your healthy dieting habits! According to research done at the University of California San Diego, people who eat high amounts of fat increase their risk for type 2 diabetes by about 20 percent! So if you want to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight, then you should limit the amount of fat that you eat because it can lead to health problems if eaten regularly.

How To Make Healthy Pierogies

1. Choose a Healthy Alternative

The most important thing to remember when you’re making pierogies is that you should always choose a healthier alternative. There are so many different kinds of pierogies, and depending on what you’re looking for in a particular dish, there might be better options for you. For example, if you want to make the fluffy potato-filled dumplings that are associated with pierogies, then you will want to try out our recipe for Pierogi with Potato Filling instead. And if you’re looking for something more savory, then we have an amazing recipe for Pierogi with Pork and Sauerkraut that is sure to please!

2. Choose Healthy Ingredients

We know this seems obvious, but it can be easy to forget! When it comes down to it, all the ingredients in your dish are what make up the final product… and they might not sound very appetizing at first glance. But they are what make up the flavor of your dish, so if you want to make a healthier version of pierogies, it’s important to choose healthier ingredients. For example, instead of using butter in our recipe for Pierogi with Potato Filling, why not try out our recipe for Potato and Onion Pierogi instead?

3. Use Whole Grain Pasta

In addition to choosing healthy ingredients as we mentioned above, it is also very important to use whole-grain pasta whenever possible! Not only do whole grains contain vitamins and minerals that are important for your body’s health, but they also help to keep you full longer which is a major benefit when trying to lose weight. So if you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy pierogies, then try out our recipe for Whole Wheat Pierogi instead!

4. Add Healthy Fat

When it comes right down to it, the most important part of making healthy pierogies is to make sure that you add enough healthy fat to your dish! Not only is a good amount of fat necessary for your body’s health, but it can also help to fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied which is another benefit when trying to lose weight. So if you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy pierogies, then try out our recipe for Pierogi with Potato Filling instead!

5. Add Healthy Fiber

When it comes right down to it, the most important part of making healthy pierogies is to make sure that you add enough healthy fiber to your dish! Not only is fiber great for your body’s health (it helps keep you full longer), but it can also help prevent constipation. So if you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy pierogies, then try out our recipe for Whole Wheat Pierogi instead!

Final Words

Overall, pierogies are not bad food. They are starchy and tasty, so they can be a nice treat every once in a while. You can make them at home with healthy ingredients or you can choose healthy brands of store-bought pierogies. Just make sure you eat them in moderation and with a side of veggies or salad. If you do this, you can enjoy delicious pierogies as often as you want without feeling guilty. If you want to try something different, you can also try kluski. They are similar to pierogies and are made with eggs, flour, and sauerkraut.