Have you had a takeaway this week? You didn’t happen to order a burger with all the toppings, a hefty side dish and a soft drink by any chance?
Well if you did you might have consumed your recommended daily calorie intake in one single sitting.
Safefood released a report yesterday which found that this one meal could equal if not surpass the full 2000 calories you are meant to consume in an entire day.
The study looked at 47 popular takeaway outlets and over 200 burgers including quarter pounders and kids’ burgers.
It was revealed that a burger alone without trimmings can consume over 1000 calories. That is half of your recommended calorie intake for the day.
Trimmings, including cheese, along with side orders and large portion sizes can add an extra 1000 calories.
Worse still, it was also discovered that kids’ burgers were similar in size to the ordinary adult portions with some even being bigger.
While burgers are a great source of protein they can also be very high in fat and salt as this research shows.
Director of Human Health and Nutrition at Safefood Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan commented on the findings.
She said ‘People need to consider healthier options when eating takeaway burgers, such as asking for more vegetable toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, a side salad and low fat cheese and perhaps cutting out either the bun or the chips.’
