[Food] Restaurant meals are higher calories than fast food outlets

Thunder Bolt · Dec 13, 2018

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46540132

The calorie content of meals in UK restaurants is "excessive" and sit-down restaurants are unhealthier than fast-food chains, BMJ research suggests.

Health experts say meals should not exceed 600 calories, but in this study they averaged 1,033 in restaurants and 751 in fast-food chains.

The research team looked at more than 13,500 meals on the menus of 21 sit-down restaurants and six fast-food chains.

Travelling home on Sunday evening, and taking a detour to avoid the M25, I started getting hungry. We saw a Pizza Hut, so chose that, as they do offer salads. I had a flat bread pizza which was advertised as 550 calories, with the salad. It was very tasty and still filling.

Bakero · Dec 13, 2018

I'd rather eat a decent meal whatever the calories are than eat anything served in Pizza Hut.

studio150 · Dec 13, 2018

"It's really clear what the food industry need to do. They need to act more responsibly and reduce the number of calories that they're serving."

And how do the researchers think this will be achieved.

It will be smaller sized portions but with no reduction on cost. So in a restaurant you will be left trying to spot the food on your plate, and if you complain about the portion size, the stock response will be, it's for your own good, no one wants to overdose on calories, and you know that the Department of Health and Social Care have imposed a 600 calories limit for each meal. Now . I suggest you tuck into your one pea and slither of beef before it gets cold

TheJasperCo · Dec 13, 2018

I can't be the only one who's never full after getting a 'meal' from a fast food place. For someone with my appetite, a Whopper or Fillet o' Fish is like a snack.

Not saying restaurants are healthier, but it depends on what you're comparing: A large pizza and a side with a glass of wine versus a Happy Meal? Of course the pizza will be more calorific. And more expensive to boot.

RandyWanger · Dec 13, 2018

Now the key is, everything in moderation. Who eats out at a sit down restaurant for every meal?
If I'm going out in the evening, I'll have a lighter lunch to balance it out. It's not rocket science.

Machiavelli · Dec 13, 2018

Next they'll be indicating that restaurants and fast food outlets have high salt content

Herr Tubthumper · Dec 13, 2018

I’m sure I average well over 1033 calories with my restaurant trips.

GT49er · Dec 13, 2018

Thunder Bolt said:
Health experts say meals should not exceed 600 calories.

Wouldn't that rather depend on the length of time since the previous meal, not to mention the different sizes of people, their exercise levels and variances in metabolism?

Herr Tubthumper · Dec 13, 2018

RandyWanger said:
Now the key is, everything in moderation.

Personally, I think the key is excess :lolol:

mejonaNO12 aka riskit · Dec 13, 2018

RandyWanger said:
I'll have a lighter lunch to balance it out. It's not rocket science.

Is it a rocket salad?

dazzer6666 · Dec 13, 2018

I'd be very disappointed in a restaurant meal that only had 1000 calories...and the 'health experts' that say meals should be below 600 calories.......on what grounds ? Depends on the rest of your daily intake, and what you're burning off. Really simple equation (for the majority - certain illnesses/conditions excepted) is calories in vs calories out to gain/lose weight.

Meanwhile, north of the border.........

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7895077/scottish-chip-shop-battered-christmas-dinner/

Triggaaar · Dec 13, 2018

All they need is to make restaurants include the calorie count on the menus, so we can make more informed decisions.

dazzer6666 · Dec 13, 2018

Triggaaar said:
All they need is to make restaurants include the calorie count on the menus, so we can make more informed decisions.

Becoming more common anyway, particularity in the chains anyway.......and if not visible on the menu, loads are available online anyway. Using the Pizza Hut example from above (don't click the link if you're partial to a whole large stuffed crust 2,000 calorie snack

) : Much more difficult for independent restaurants or those with varying menus of course

https://www.pizzahut.co.uk/order/pdfs/gb/nutritionals.5ef9b2387fe94e14f09686c3264e6807.pdf

CHAPPERS · Dec 13, 2018

Butter makes things taste nice.

beorhthelm · Dec 13, 2018

dazzer6666 said:
I'd be very disappointed in a restaurant meal that only had 1000 calories...and the 'health experts' that say meals should be below 600 calories.......on what grounds ? Depends on the rest of your daily intake, and what you're burning off. Really simple equation (for the majority - certain illnesses/conditions excepted) is calories in vs calories out to gain/lose weight.

not only that but assumes a rather large breakfast and quite a few snacks to get to the target daily intake.

Triggaaar · Dec 13, 2018

dazzer6666 said:
Much more difficult for independent restaurants or those with varying menus of course

Yes of course. I wouldn't want something that makes running a small business too difficult. But implementing something that's workable would be good.

Wilko · Dec 13, 2018

Triggaaar said:
All they need is to make restaurants include the calorie count on the menus, so we can make more informed decisions.

Ridiculous logic! :wink:

, you cannot expect people to think for themselves?

Cowfold Seagull · Dec 13, 2018

TheJasperCo said:
I can't be the only one who's never full after getting a 'meal' from a fast food place. For someone with my appetite, a Whopper or Fillet o' Fish is like a snack.

Not saying restaurants are healthier, but it depends on what you're comparing: A large pizza and a side with a glass of wine versus a Happy Meal? Of course the pizza will be more calorific. And more expensive to boot.

As a Happy Meal is for kids, perhaps that wasn't the ideal comparison!

Machiavelli · Dec 13, 2018

Triggaaar said:
All they need is to make restaurants include the calorie count on the menus, so we can make more informed decisions.

Nonsense. This would be a boon for the corporates, and imperil the independents and, in particular, the best of them that do things like re-write menus on a daily basis according to what's the best value and quality produce that's available.

Stat Brother · Dec 13, 2018

TheJasperCo said:
I can't be the only one who's never full after getting a 'meal' from a fast food place. For someone with my appetite, a Whopper or Fillet o' Fish is like a snack.

Not saying restaurants are healthier, but it depends on what you're comparing: A large pizza and a side with a glass of wine versus a Happy Meal? Of course the pizza will be more calorific. And more expensive to boot.

Next time have a Bender in a Bun, that'll fill you right up.

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[Food] Restaurant meals are higher calories than fast food outlets

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