Having an Indian meal may be Britain's favourite culinary pastime, but researchers say curries are more fattening than either Chinese food or pizzas.
A single meal of Indian curry has been found to have more fat than what is recommended for the entire day. In a comparison of Indian, Chinese and pizza takeaways, researchers found that an average Indian takeaway contained 23.2gm of saturated fat, 3.2gm more what than a woman should eat in a day.
The popularity of curries among Britons prompted the late minister Robin Cook to describe Chicken tikka masala as Britain's national dish. However, the study comes amid mounting concern because the genetic make-up of South Asians means that they are at a higher risk group for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Indian takeaway meals are known for their liberal use of oil and ghee, not only in curries but also breads. The researchers found that a naan contained more calories than a chicken tikka masala.
The research was conducted by Which magazine, which tested the takeaways for calorie, sugar, saturated fat and salt content and rated each meal against the recommended daily allowance in Britain. Researchers found Chinese takeaways, despite having lower saturated fat content, contained nearly three times as much sugar as an Indian meal. One portion contained more than 19 teaspoons of sugar.
The report found that the fat content in pizzas from popular fast food chains differed from information on their websites.
Four such cheese and tomato pizzas tested by 'Which' contained at least 50 per cent more fat per 100gm than stated on the website.
Neil Fowler, editor of Which, said, "We don't want to be killjoys when it comes to takeaways, but we would like people to be aware of just how much of their daily food intake comes in just one meal. Highlighting healthier options is useful, but ultimately we want consumers to have much clearer information about fat, sugar and salt levels.
Takeaway outlets in Britain are not legally required to give nutritional content of their food, making it difficult for people to know about the calorie or salt content.
Certainly! The article discusses the nutritional content of popular takeaway foods in Britain, specifically Indian, Chinese, and pizza meals. As an enthusiast in nutrition and culinary comparisons, I can delve into the concepts mentioned:
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Saturated Fat: This type of fat is often solid at room temperature and is associated with increased cholesterol levels, contributing to heart disease. The article highlights that an average Indian takeaway contains 23.2gm of saturated fat, exceeding the recommended daily intake for a woman by 3.2gm.
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Health Risks for South Asians: The genetic makeup of South Asians puts them at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This risk is compounded by the consumption of high-fat foods like Indian takeaways that are rich in oil and ghee.
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Calorie Content: The article mentions that a naan, a type of Indian bread, contains more calories than a chicken tikka masala, shedding light on the unexpected calorie density of certain side dishes compared to main courses.
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Comparative Nutrition: Chinese takeaways, despite having lower saturated fat, are shown to contain significantly higher sugar content. One portion contained more than 19 teaspoons of sugar, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse nutritional aspects beyond just fat content.
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Accuracy of Nutritional Information: There's a discrepancy highlighted regarding the fat content in pizzas from popular fast food chains. The fat content in these pizzas was found to be at least 50% higher per 100gm than what was stated on the websites, pointing out potential misinformation or lack of accuracy in advertised nutritional data.
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Consumer Awareness and Information: The lack of legal requirements for takeaway outlets in Britain to disclose nutritional content makes it challenging for consumers to make informed choices about the calorie, fat, sugar, and salt content of their meals.
The research conducted by Which magazine aimed to educate consumers about the nutritional aspects of their favorite takeaway foods, emphasizing the need for clearer information and healthier options in the industry. Neil Fowler, the editor of Which, stressed the importance of consumers being aware of the substantial proportion of their daily food intake that comes from just one takeaway meal. The goal is to encourage informed choices while highlighting the need for better transparency in providing nutritional information by takeaway outlets.
