Whether consumed as a hangover cure or to complement a Netflix marathon, takeout is an integral part of many people’s weekends.
But a new study has issued a health warning for those taking part in this quintessentially British tradition, as findings suggest some takeaways contain more calories than the daily limit.
According to the NHS Eatwell guide, women should consume around 2,000 calories a day and men around 2,500, while the UK Government’s One You campaign urges adults to eat 400 calories at breakfast and 600 calories at lunch and dinner, with the rest covered by snacks .
Now new research shows that six in 10 takeaways exceed the recommended 600 calories for lunch and dinner, a trend which study authors have warned could be fueling Britain’s obesity crisis.
The study, published by social innovation agency Nesta, found that one in three meals bought from fast food outlets contained at least 1,300 calories – double the recommended figure for lunch and dinner.
On average, pizzas have the highest calorie content. Some contain almost all of the recommended daily allowance and contribute to 7.5% of all calories purchased in the UK.
Elsewhere, statistics show that around 60% of the UK population shop away from home (which means any prepared food or drink bought for immediate consumption and includes things like food sandwiches) at least once a week. About 7 million (11%) use it once a day.
How to cope with calorie navigation
When calorie labels were first introduced on menus in 2022, critics argued that the measure could trigger people with eating disorders (who obsess over the number of calories they consume) and promote distorted and disordered relationships with food and calories.
‘[Labelling calories on menus] can mean that someone with an eating disorder tries to split a portion, skip it altogether, or spend the rest of the day worrying about their overall calorie intake,” James Davis, a psychologist, personal trainer and sports nutritionist, previously told Metro. co.uk
“It could also trigger feelings of shame and anxiety because they’re used to controlling their calorie intake on their own and it can seem like a food choice out of their control.”
As such, navigating calories and food can be incredibly challenging for people who struggle with eating disorders or have a negative body image.
So is there a way to deal with navigating calories, especially when they’re presented on menus and takeaway menus?
Don’t get hung up on calorie counts
“Don’t worry too much about the calories in your menu choices – life is about enjoying life and it’s about balance – calories aren’t something you should worry about,” advised James.
“If you’re eating out every night, then yes, you should be more careful, but don’t get hung up on the occasional meal out and enjoy it.”
Learn about your own nutritional needs
If you want to consider the number of calories you take with you, it’s important to understand how it fits into your daily needs.
James said: “Be aware of your total daily calorie needs so you can make an informed choice from the menu, knowing how it fits into your day.”
Remember, calories aren’t everything
While it’s good to know how many calories you’re eating in certain circumstances, there’s a lot more to be gained by understanding the actual nutritional makeup of your food.
“The quality of the food we eat and the mix of macronutrients is also important,” concluded James.
“Your body will use 500 calories of raw organic spinach very differently than 500 calories of, say, baby jelly.
“Remember that the calories in one meal are not the be-all and end-all.
“Food type, quality, macronutrient composition all play a role as well.”
What to do if you are worried about yourself or a friend
If you or a loved one is struggling with disordered eating, first contact your GP or there are charities you can turn to:
Call or email the Beat Helpline
Call the mind helpline
Contact Overeaters Anonymous United Kingdom.
MORE: Summer variant of Covid prompts warning as cases rise in UK
MORE: Wimpy has been a fast food favorite for 70 years – I went to find out why Brits love it
MORE : Taylor Swift put this London kebab shop on the map – but is it really worth the hype?
Subscribe to our guide to what’s happening in London, trusted reviews, great deals and competitions. The best bits of London in your inbox
This page is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google’s privacy policy and terms of service apply.