25/06/2009

Some Supermarket Salads 'Have More Fat Than A Big Mac'

A number of salads available in supermarkets contain more fat that a Big Mac and fries, a new survey published has found.

Researchers from Which? Magazine studied 20 salads from major outlets and discovered many contained a large proportion of the daily intake of fat.

The Smedleys Atlantic Prawn Marie Rose Salad, which is sold in a number of supermarkets, including Morrisons, contains 855 calories and 66.3g fat - 70% of the fat a man should eat in a day.

However, a Big Mac and medium portion of fried from McDonalds contains 820 calories and 40g of fat.

Meanwhile, Asda's Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad contains 43g of fat, which is nearly as much as six Cadbury's Crème eggs.

Marks and Spencer's Pasta with Tomato & Basil Chicken, which came in a slightly larger portion, contained 760 calories and 46g of fat - nearly 70% of a woman's daily intake of fat and half of a man's.

Which? Editor Martyn Hocking said: "If you thought your High Street salad was healthy, you could be in for a surprise.

"We have found large differences between the amount of fat, salt and calories in pre-packaged salads. Check the label or you could end up with egg on your face.

"Many of the salads we looked at were surprisingly high in calories and fat. Mainly this was because they had mayonnaise or creamy sauces. The ingredient lists showed these were often added generously."

The survey did, however, praise Sainsbury's and its Rainbow Salad for containing soya beans and lentils - a good source of protein - and also its Thai Chicken Noodle for being low in salt and fats.

(JM/BMcC)

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