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Fitness & Health

16th Nov 2015

If you’re fond of eating from Indian takeaways in Ireland, we have some worrying news

It’s not exactly the healthiest

Conor Heneghan

Might make you think twice about ordering that curry.

A typical Indian takeaway meal can contain more than an adult’s daily requirement of calories and twice their recommended maximum level of fat.

That’s according to a new report by safefood after research carried out by Ulster University in the latest in a series of studies on popular takeaway foods in Ireland.

The study revealed that a typical Indian takeaway meal consisting of a starter, main course and pilau rice can contain far more calories than an adult’s total daily requirements and enough food for two people.

The typical meal can also contain twice the daily recommended maximum level of fat and very high levels of salt, while some varieties of naan bread were found to contain almost a third of an adult’s total daily calorie requirement.

naan

280 Indian food samples from 36 outlets across the island of Ireland were analysed and found:

  • Major differences in the portion size of starters sold, with a five-fold difference among Onion Bhajis and an eight-fold difference in portions of Chicken Pakoras.
  • The average portion of rice contained enough for two people and an average portion of Pilau Rice contained almost 500 calories.
  • Salt levels were considerably high; on average, all starter dishes contained one third of an adult’s total GDA for salt.
  • All main courses tested contained more than half of an adults’ total guideline daily amount of salt (6g).
  • An average portion of Peshwari Naan bread contained significantly more energy, total and saturated fat than plain naan; some samples had as much as 168% of an adults total guideline daily amount for saturated fat.
  • Less than 10% of outlets provided healthier options for their Indian takeaway service.

People that eat Indian takeaway meals were probably aware that they were getting a big feed, but the findings are certainly worrying from a health perspective.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, Director Human Health & Nutrition with safefood said: “While traditional meals in India are low in fat, high in fibre and rich in fruit and vegetables, chefs here have adapted their recipes to suit local tastebuds favouring foods high in fat and salt and serving bigger portions.

“These dishes have become very popular, but the Indian dishes tested in this survey were less than healthy.”