Nutritional experts reveal the UK's unhealthiest high street breakfasts

Study reveals there is little difference between fast food chains and 'higher-end outlets' such as Pret

Jacob Furedi
Wednesday 14 September 2016 07:45 EDT
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A full English breakfast
A full English breakfast ( Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

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A team of health analysts have revealed the unhealthiest high street chain breakfast in the UK.

Dr Wayne Osborne and health website Treated.com labelled Wetherspoons’ Large Breakfast as the most calorific, boasting 1531 calories.

The survey sampled eleven high street chains, including McDonald’s, Pret a Manger and Starbucks.

The most calorific high street breakfasts
The most calorific high street breakfasts (Treated.com)

The number of calories in Wetherspoons' Large Breakfast represents just over 60 per cent of man’s daily reference intake (DRI), and 75 per cent of a woman’s.

Harvester’s Ultimate Breakfast Bap came second with 1307 calories, while Wimpy’s All Day Breakfast was third with 900 calories.

Wetherspoons’ Large Breakfast also contained the most salt, with a staggering 18.3 grams.

The most salty high street breakfasts
The most salty high street breakfasts (Treated.com)

As this was triple a man’s DRI, Dr Osborne commented: “We're tempted to speculate that an error has been made somewhere in the compilation of their new nutritional information… just because this is such a huge figure.”

Harvester’s Belgian Waffles contained the most sugar, with 77.4 grams.

Obesity rates in the UK have increased from 14 per cent in 1993 to 26 per cent in 2014, according to a NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSIC) report.

The report also noted 65 per cent of men and 59 per cent of women were either overweight or obese.

Surprisingly, the Treated.com study noted there was little difference between “what we might perceive as ‘higher end’ outlets” and other brands.

“In fact there’s less than 120 calories between 4th placed McDonald’s item and 8th placed Pret a Manger’s item, with Greggs, Burger King and Costa,” Dr Osborne explained.

Despite the seemingly unhealthy nature of the breakfasts, the study praised the high street chains’ willingness to publish the nutritional content of their meals.

Dr Osborne also highlighted the chains did offer considerably healthier options than those analysed in the study.

“Transparency with consumers when it comes to nutrition is vital; and in this respect, the 11 chains below seem to be leading the way,” the report said.

Commenting on the results, Dr Osborne advised: “We would suggest that it’s ultimately more beneficial to eat breakfast out in moderation; to prepare your own food at home wherever possible, utilising a range of fresh produce, and only rely on eating breakfast out as an occasional treat.”

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