OVERINDULGE AT THE weekend? You might want to look away now.
New research has found that the average 12-inch pizza can contain more than the total recommended daily calorie intake for one day, according to a survey by SafeFood.
The high calorie count is particularly troublesome as more than 40 per cent of the population now eats pizza at least once a week, with over half of people choosing a 12 inch pizza and 1 in 5 choosing a ‘large’ pizza.
The research looked at 240 pizza from 60 different outlets and found that just 1 in 10 takeaway pizza outlets had a healthy option of some kind on the menu.
It also found that takeaway pizzas have higher calories, salt and fat compared to shop-bought pizzas.
Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan of SafeFood, which is responsible for promoting food safety in Ireland, urged consumers to choose thinner bases, more vegetables, less processed meats and lower fat cheese on their pizzas.
“It’s concerning that we don’t realise the high level of calories, salt and saturated fat that we’re consuming in the pizza – and that’s before you begin to consider the side orders like chips, wedges and garlic bread that we are frequently tempted to buy to accompany a pizza,” said Dr Foley-Nolan.
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