Calories in many UK restaurant chain dishes are far too high

A new study published in BMJ Open found that the calorie content of starters, sides and deserts served in many popular UK restaurant chains are far too high. The researchers included popular restaurant and take away chains with 50 or more outlets across the UK.

Researchers analyzed the calories in 1009 dishes made up of 212 starters, 318 sides and 479 deserts. They found an average of 488 kcal for starters, 397.5 kcal for sides and 430.6 kcal for deserts.

The study from the University of Liverpool was led by Dr Magdalena Muc Da Encarnacao and Dr Eric Robinson. Dr Muc Da Encarnacao said, “The average energy content of sides, starters and deserts sold in major UK restaurants is high. One in four starters and one in five sides and deserts in UK chain restaurants exceed the recommended energy intake for an entire meal.” Dr Eric Robinson added, “The foods we are being served across the food sector have far too many calories in them and it is not surprising there is an obesity problem in the UK. The food industry need to act more responsibly and reduce the number of dishes they’re serving containing shockingly high calories. However it’s unlikely that they will do this without pressure and the government need to get serious about obesity.”