High Street Salads, Sandwiches And Pasta Pots Contain More Calories And Fat Than Fast Food, Study Warns
These Salads And Sandwiches Contain More Fat Than Fast Food
PA/ The Huffington Post UK
|
If you're trying to eat healthy food or kickstart weight loss, you may well pick up a salad for your lunch.
But some high street salads and sandwiches contain more calories and fat than burgers and pizza, a survey has found.
Consumer group Which? has called for all manufacturers to use traffic light nutrition labelling and restaurants to display calorie content after finding that apparently healthy options are "no better than a burger".
The watchdog tested eight popular lunchtime meals including sandwiches, pastas and salads from high street shops to find that some contained surprisingly high amounts of fat, salt and sugar.
Caffe Nero's brie and bacon panini contained 624 calories, more than a McDonald's quarter pounder with cheese at 518 calories.
Open Image Modal
Caffè Nero's brie and bacon panini
The bacon and brie made the panini high in fat (24.1g), saturates (12g) and salt (3.2g), while caramelised onions added to the sugar content of 15.8g.
Three of the sandwiches tested contained more than three teaspoons of sugar - Pret's posh cheddar and pickle on artisan, Caffe Nero's brie and bacon panini and Gregg's Mexican chicken baguette.
Marks and Spencer's chicken and smoked bacon salad on soft multigrain contained 694 calories and 37.1 gram of fat - more than a Pizza Express classic Margherita containing 683 calories and 22.5g of fat.
Open Image Modal
Pret's posh cheddar and pickle on artisan
The study also found potentially unrealistic expectations about how much of each meal a consumer would eat in a single sitting.
Asda's 290g piri piri chicken pasta salad contained two thirds of the recommended daily fat intake at 46.5g and had more fat than a Burger King bacon and cheese whopper.
The packaging said the pot contained three servings, but Which? said it was more likely that someone would eat this by themselves.
And the Morrisons 330g tomato and basil chicken pasta stated that it contained seven servings, but Which? said one person could "easily" eat this for lunch while consuming more calories and fat than contained in a Burger King chicken royale with cheese.
Open Image Modal
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "People will be surprised to find some foods that many of us perceive to be a healthier choice are no better than a burger.
"We want all manufacturers to adopt traffic light nutrition labelling and restaurants to display information about calorie content of food, so consumers can see exactly what products contain."
A teaspoon of butter spread over a cracker or crispbread is a great to nip stodge and salt cravings in the bud - perfect for hangover days and when you're feeling stressed or tired. (credit:Donald Erickson via Getty Images)
Hummus With Crudites(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Packed with chickpeas, hummus is great for a healthy protein fix. Unlike sugar and refined carbs, protein will also keep you full for longer. A good afternoon snack if you're heading to the gym after work and need something to keep you going until evening. As it is pretty moreish, don't bring a whole tub into work - decant some into a small plastic container and serve it with crudites, olives or a couple of mini pitta breads. (credit:Michael Powell via Getty Images)
Toasted Spicy Seeds(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
There are times when only something crunchy will do. Seeds are a healthier alternative than crisps and lower in calories than nuts. But let's face it, on their own they can be pretty boring. Give them a Bombay Mix-style makeover by spreading them on a baking sheet, sprinkling with a selection of your favourite spices and a drizzle of rapeseed oil and toasting them in the oven. (credit:Sarka Babicka via Getty Images)
Roasted Sweet Potato(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Cut them into chunks, wedges or thin crisps, drizzle with oil and plenty of salt and cracked black pepper and roast in the oven. They'll not only fill the gap when you've got a hunger pang, they'll take the edge over your sweet craving, too - especially if you allow them to caramelise in the oven. (credit:Jason Loucas via Getty Images)
Oat Cakes(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
When you've got a hankering for biscuits, it's time to call in the oat cakes. They're pretty tasty on their own but they're not exactly Chocolate Hobnobs. For a sweet hit, smear with cream cheese and top with fruit. (credit:David Marsden via Getty Images)
Olives(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Olives are the perfect solution when you're feeling bored or stressed and you just want something to pick at. They also pack a salty punch so make a good alternative to crisps. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)
Falafel(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Yet again protein-packed chickpeas come to the rescue. But check the pack before you buy and make sure they're baked, not fried. Even better, make your own. (credit:Clive Streeter via Getty Images)
Edamame Beans(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
The bean of choice for supermodels and Victoria Beckham. Surely that's all you need to know. (credit:Hidehiro Kigawa via Getty Images)
Popcorn(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Staff kitchen got a microwave? You could do worse than keep a stash of pine kernels in your desk drawer. A cupful of plain popcorn with a teaspoon of oil will only cost you a measly 55 calories. Once you pop you can't stop. (credit:Melissa Ross via Getty Images)
Salad In A Jar(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Salad? In a jar? Yes, that's what we thought at first. But you know how you can't take salad to work unless you take the dressing in a separate container because it all goes soggy? Well, think about it - if you put your dressing in the bottom of a jar, pile all your salad on top, your salad stays fresh and crisp until you shake the jar to 'toss' it. Genius. (credit:Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Getty Images)