How meal deals can be more calorific than a Big Mac and fries
How meal deals can be more calorific than a Big Mac and fries: Researchers analyse 550,000 sandwich, drink and snack combos sold on high street… so how bad is YOUR favourite?
- Meal deals contain 660 calories on average, Birmingham University study found
- The most calorific combinations have 1,200 calories, MailOnline analysis shows
- Researchers warned majority ‘won’t be aware’ of the calories in their lunch
Meal deals are a staple on the high street, offering a main, drink and snack for just a few pounds.
But the lunchtime options, a go-to for millions of Brits every day, contain an average of 660 calories — exceeding recommendations from health chiefs that lunch should only contain 600, a study has found.
And the most calorific combinations can contain above 1,200 calories, according to MailOnline’s analysis of offerings at six chains.
Researchers warned the majority ‘won’t be aware’ of how many calories are tucked in their lunch.
Chains like Tesco offer a meal deal for £3.90, making it cheaper than buying the main, snack and drink separately.
The most calorific combinations can contain above 1,200 calories — more than a Big Mac, regular fries and Coca Cola from McDonald’s, which has 1,000 calories — according to MailOnline’s analysis
Studies suggest they are popular because they are convenient, cheap and a treat.
But researchers at the University of Birmingham warned that these promotions may be encouraging people to eat too much and therefore fuelling the obesity epidemic.
They called for the promotion to only apply to healthy options.
Around two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or obese, while one in three 10 and 11-year-olds are obese.
A Government campaign launched in 2016 to tackle the UK’s ever-growing waistline recommends a 400-600-600 approach to mealtimes.
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS
• Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain
• Thirty grams of fibre a day. This is the same as eating all of the following: Five portions of fruit and vegetables, two whole-wheat cereal biscuits, two thick slices of wholemeal bread and a large baked potato with the skin on
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks), choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including two portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts
• Drink six to eight cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
Under this plan, Brits would consume 400 calories at breakfast and 600 at each of lunch and dinner, along with a couple of 200-calorie snacks.
But the researchers, led by senior marketing lecturer Dr Sheena Leek, warned Brits may struggle to follow this advice if they are eating meal deals.
Their analysis looked at 614 products available at eight supermarket chains and high street retailers, none of which were named.
Out of these options, 548,643 different combinations — which cost between £3 and £3.50 — could be selected.
The findings, published in the Journal of Marketing Management, revealed only 23 per cent fell within the Government’s 600-calorie recommendation.
The most calorific meal deal option spotted by the researchers had 1,329 calories — more than twice the level of calories people are told to eat at lunch. It was not named, however.
At the other end of the scale, there were 290 in the least calorific option.
On average, meal deals have 660 calories — 10 per cent higher than advised — according to the analysis.
Triple sandwiches, with an average of 657 calories, and baguettes, which had 528 on average, were the worst offenders.
Chocolate bars and crisps, with an average of 190 and 181 calories, respectively, were the most calorific snacks.
Smoothies were the most calorific drink (143, on average), followed by energy drinks (127, on average).
There were also limited fruit options available as part of meal deals, the team noted.
Dr Leek said that while meal deals are ‘one of the most common and attractive lunch options for working people’, their calorie content makes it ‘incredibly hard’ for combating obesity and encouraging healthy eating.
She told The Telegraph: ‘Most people won’t be aware of how many calories are in their lunch when they only have 30 minutes or so to grab something to eat and get back to the office or on the road.’
Dr Leek said food manufactures could reformulate recipes to tackle the problem, shops could stop selling the worst-offending items and the Government could issue new guidance or legislation.
She added: ‘Currently, and ultimately it is up to the individual to decide what to buy for their lunch.
‘But if the most attractively priced options are the unhealthiest, does that really make it a fair choice?’
MailOnline analysed around 170 mains, 160 drinks and 200 snacks available as meal deals at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op and Pret.
It looked at the most calorific sandwiches across the chains and paid them with some of the worst snacks and drinks available, according to their websites.
The most calorific meal contained 1,230 calories — more than a Big Mac, regular fries and Coca Cola from McDonald’s, which has 1,000 calories.
This option, available at Tesco, includes its Cheese Triple Sandwich — which comes with cheese and tomato, cheese and onion and cheese and pickle (618).
It would also involve picking citrus-flavoured fizzy Mountain Dew (236) and a Twix Xtra White Chocolate (376).
The next worst-offender is Sainsbury’s most calorific combination.
It includes a Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney Sandwich (580), a Muller Frijj Chocolate Milkshake (304) and a KitKat Chunky Duo (338) — which has a massive 1,222 calories in total.
This is more than a Big Mac, regular fries and Coca Cola from McDonald’s, which has 1,000 calories.
At Co-op, selecting its Southern Style Fried Chicken Wrap (495), with a bottle of Mountain Dew (236) and a Bounty Trio Coconut Chocolate Bar (417) was one of the least healthy combinations, equating to 1,148 calories.
This is around the same as a medium Hawaiian pizza from Pizza Hut (1,210).
Those who choose a Chicken, Bacon & Sweetcorn Pasta Salad (548), KitKat Chunky Duo (338) and Coca Cola (210) from Asda would be having its most calorific combination.
Together, these options have 1,096 calories in total — more than a Chicken Katsu Curry from Wagamama (998 calories).
Brits buying a meal deal from Morrisons could consume 1,061 calories if they choose its Chicken Caesar Wrap (493), a Cadbury Double Decker Duo Chocolate Bar (342) and a Coca-Cola Cherry (226).
The meal is comparable to a Double Chicken Burger, along with a portion of PERi-Salted Chips and Coleslaw at Nando’s.
Pret’s meal deal — the only one not to offer a drink — costs £5 for a baguette and crisps or popcorn.
Its Posh Cheddar & Pickle Baguette (651) and Sea Salt Crisps (213) is the combination that has the most calories (864).
| Sandwich | Calories |
|---|---|
| Tesco Cheese Triple Sandwich | 618 |
| Tesco Sausage Bacon & & Egg Triple | 570 |
| Tesco Chicken Triple Sandwich | 521 |
| Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich | 504 |
| Tesco Smoked Ham And Mature Cheddar Sub | 488 |
| Tesco Roast Chicken Bacon & Stuffing Sandwich | 483 |
| Tesco Free Range Egg Mayonnaise Sandwich | 481 |
| Tesco Roast Chicken Mozzarella & Pesto Sandwich 223G | 468 |
| Tesco Egg & Bacon Sandwich | 452 |
| Tesco Cheese & Pickle Sandwich | 450 |
| Tesco Bbq Chicken, Bacon & Cheese Sandwich | 449 |
| Tesco Pulled Beef & Red Leicester Sandwich | 436 |
| Tesco Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich | 435 |
| Tesco Cheese & Onion Sandwich | 432 |
| Tesco Plant Chef Falafel Houmous Wrap | 425 |
| Tesco Chicken Tikka With Onion Bhaji Wrap | 425 |
| Tesco Southern Fried Chicken Wrap (C) | 421 |
| Tesco Smoked Bacon & Ketchup Sandwich | 418 |
| Tesco Chicken Bacon & Lettuce Sandwich | 418 |
| Tesco Deli Meat Feast Sub | 417 |
| Tesco Bbq Chicken Wrap | 417 |
| Tesco Roast Chicken & Stuffing Sandwich | 411 |
| Tesco Ploughmans Sandwich | 408 |
| Tesco Smoked Ham & Cheddar Sandwich | 405 |
| Tesco Chicken Salad Sub | 402 |
| Tesco Chicken & Chorizo Sandwich | 394 |
| Tesco Southern Fried Chicken Sub | 391 |
| Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub | 387 |
| Tesco Ham, Cheese Coleslaw Sandwich | 381 |
| Tesco Ham, Cheese Coleslaw Sandwich | 381 |
| Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich | 361 |
| Tesco Hoisin Duck Wrap | 361 |
| Tesco Cheese Sandwich No Mayonnaise | 359 |
| Tesco Tikka Chicken & Mango Chutney Sandwich | 359 |
| Tesco Plant Chef Roasted Vegetable & Pesto Wrap | 354 |
| Tesco Plant Chef Houmous Harissa Vegetable Sandwich | 353 |
| Tesco Egg & Cress Sandwich | 353 |
| Tesco Chicken & Bacon Mayonnaise Sandwich | 338 |
| Tesco Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 335 |
| Tesco Tuna & Cucumber Sandwich | 327 |
| Tesco Smoked Ham & Mustard Sandwich | 325 |
| Tesco Tuna Crunch Sandwich | 323 |
| Tesco Prawn Mayonnaise Sandwich | 318 |
| Tesco Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 317 |
| Tesco Salmon With Sriracha Mayonnaise & Onions 143G | 288 |
| Tesco Just Ham Sandwich | 248 |
| Tesco Hoisin Duck Sushi 57G | 82 |
| Sainsbury’s Brie, Bacon & Chilli Chutney Sandwich | 580 |
| Sainsbury’s Vegan Falafel & Houmous Wrap | 549 |
| Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Southern Fried No Chicken Wrap | 548 |
| Sainsbury’s Southern Fried Chicken Wrap | 546 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap | 519 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Ham & Cheese Sub Roll | 506 |
| Sainsbury’s Mozzarella, Tomato, Mayonnaise & Basil Pesto Tortilla Wrap | 498 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Cheddar, Red Leicester & Red Onion Sandwich | 484 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Tomato & Basil Chicken Pasta Salad 300g | 474 |
| Sainsbury’s All Day Breakfast Sandwich | 472 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Southern Fried Chicken Pasta Salad 300g | 469 |
| Sainsbury’s Bacon & Free Range Egg Sandwich | 465 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Tuna & Sweetcorn Pasta Salad 300g | 463 |
| Sainsbury’s Red Leicester Ploughmans Sandwich | 457 |
| Sainsbury’s Bacon Butty with Tomato Sauce Sandwich | 457 |
| Sainsbury’s Cheese & Tomato Pasta Salad Pot 300g | 453 |
| Sainsbury’s Chicken Salad Sandwich | 438 |
| Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Vegan No Chicken Caesar Wrap | 433 |
| Sainsbury’s Oakwood Smoked Ham & Cheddar Sandwich | 427 |
| Sainsbury’s Chicken & Maple Cured Bacon Sandwich | 416 |
| Sainsbury’s Vegan Mexican Style Bean Wrap | 415 |
| Sainsbury’s Chicken Wth Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing Sandwich | 414 |
| Sainsbury’s Maple Cured Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich | 408 |
| Sainsbury’s Cheese Sandwich, No Mayo | 397 |
| Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Vegan Hoisin No Duck Wrap | 396 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese on Oatmeal Bread | 387 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Prawn Layered Pasta Salad 300g | 379 |
| Sainsbury’s Seafood Cocktail Sandwich | 377 |
| Sainsbury’s Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 370 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Spicy Chicken Pasta Salad 275g | 369 |
| Sainsbury’s Beef, Horseradish Mayonnaise Sandwich | 366 |
| Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Vacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwiches | 365 |
| Sainsbury’s Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 362 |
| Sainsbury’s Egg & Cress Sandwich | 359 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Vegan Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad 225g | 338 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad 225g | 335 |
| Sainsbury’s Prawn Mayo Sandwich | 329 |
| Sainsbury’s Tuna Mayo Sandwich | 318 |
| Sainsbury’s Smoked Ham & Mustard Sandwich | 307 |
| Sainsbury’s Ham Sandwich, No Mayo | 272 |
| Sainsbury’s On the Go Fish Sushi Selection 150g | 260 |
| Sainsbury’s Potato & Egg Salad 300g | 244 |
| Sainsbury’s Vegetable Sushi Medium 148g | 237 |
| Sainsbury’s Chicken Ceasar Salad | 205 |
| ASDA Chicken, Bacon & Sweetcorn Pasta Salad | 548 |
| ASDA Cheese & Tomato Pasta | 539 |
| ASDA Ham & Cheese with West Country Mature Cheddar Roll | 514 |
| ASDA Cheese & Onion Sandwich | 508 |
| ASDA Chicken & Bacon with Beechwood Smoked Bacon Roll | 506 |
| ASDA Cheddar Ploughman’s with West Country Mature Cheddar Roll | 493 |
| ASDA BLT Sandwich | 489 |
| ASDA Cheese & Tomato Sandwich | 466 |
| ASDA Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap | 459 |
| ASDA Chicken & Bacon Sandwich | 425 |
| ASDA Ham & Cheese Sandwich | 419 |
| ASDA Cheddar Cheese Sandwich | 418 |
| ASDA Southern Fried Chicken Wrap | 413 |
| ASDA Shredded Duck with Hoisin Sauce Wrap | 387 |
| ASDA Chickenless Tikka & Onion Bhaji Wrap | 386 |
| ASDA Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 383 |
| ASDA Chicken Salad Sandwich | 382 |
| ASDA OMV! Deliciously Vegan VLT Sandwich | 380 |
| ASDA Prawn Mayonnaise Sandwich | 369 |
| ASDA Egg & Cress Sandwich | 353 |
| ASDA OMV! Deliciously Vegan No Prawn Cocktail Sandwich | 321 |
| ASDA Fish Sushi Selection | 232 |
| Morrisons Chicken Caesar Wrap | 493 |
| Morrisons Katsu Chicken Wrap | 484 |
| Morrisons Mexican Bean Wrap | 456 |
| Morrisons Chicken & Bacon Sandwich | 431 |
| Morrisons Cheese And Onion Sandwich | 411 |
| Morrisons Southern Fried Chicken Wrap | 411 |
| Morrisons Cheese & Pickle Sandwich | 405 |
| Morrisons Ham & Cheese Sandwich | 396 |
| Morrisons Deep Filled Blt Sandwich | 390 |
| Morrisons Chicken & Stuffing Sandwich | 366 |
| Morrisons Gluten Free Chicken Sandwich | 364 |
| Morrisons Plant Revolution No Hoisin Duck Wrap | 360 |
| Morrisons Egg Mayo & Cress Sandwich | 360 |
| Morrisons Chicken Salad Sandwich | 348 |
| Morrisons Chicken Tikka Sandwich | 347 |
| Morrisons Buffalo Chicken Sandwich | 333 |
| Morrisons Nourish Korean Chicken Sandwich | 314 |
| Morrisons Vegan BLT | 313 |
| Morrisons Prawn Mayonnaise Sandwich | 304 |
| Morrisons Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 299 |
| Co-op American Menu Southern Style Fried Chicken with Coleslaw & BBQ Sauce on a Chilli Wrap | 495 |
| Co-op Egg & Bacon Sandwich | 474 |
| Co-op Greek Menu Halloumi Salad Wrap | 474 |
| Co-op GRO Chick’n & Stuffin’ | 465 |
| Co-op Spinach & Pine Nut Falafel Wrap | 434 |
| Co-op Chicken & Bacon with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 425 |
| Co-op Hoisin Duck | 416 |
| Co-op Ham & Cheese | 411 |
| Co-op Tuna Crunch Sub Roll | 411 |
| Co-op Mexican Style Bean & Cheese White Tortilla Wrap | 409 |
| Co-op Ham & Cheese with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 403 |
| Co-op Egg & Cress with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 399 |
| Co-op Chicken & Stuffing with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 395 |
| Co-op Bacon Lettuce & Tomato with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 379 |
| Co-op Simply Cheddar Cheese with Mayonnaise on White Bread | 372 |
| Co-op Tuna & Sweetcorn with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 340 |
| Co-op British Chicken with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 325 |
| Co-op Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich | 309 |
| Co-op Simply Cheese & Red Onion with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 296 |
| Co-op Tuna with Mayonnaise on White Bread | 296 |
| Co-op Prawns with Mayonnaise on Malted Bread | 294 |
| Pret Posh Cheddar & Pickle Baguette | 651 |
| Pret Chicken Caesar Bacon Baguette | 596 |
| Pret Wiltshire-Cured Ham & Greve | 596 |
| Pret Chicken Salad Baguette | 595 |
| Pret Avo, Olive & Toms Baguette | 553 |
| Pret Italian Prosciutto Baguette | 546 |
| Pret Ham & Cheese | 530 |
| Pret Chicken Salad | 520 |
| Pret Tuna Mayo Baguette | 514 |
| Pret Mature Cheddar & Pickle | 506 |
| Pret BLT | 506 |
| Pret Plant Ploughmans Baguette | 496 |
| Pret Brie, Tomato & Basil Baguette | 450 |
| Pret Houmous & Veg | 380 |
| Pret Ham Salad | 378 |
| Pret Egg Mayo | 372 |
| Pret Tuna & Cucumber | 370 |
| Pret Slim Pole & Line Caught Tuna Mayo & Cucumber | 257 |