Picnics can see Britons swallow two days' fat

Published on Wednesday 30 July 2008 22:19

A TYPICAL British picnic contains as much fat as a person is recommended to eat over two days, the latest research claims.

An alfresco meal which includes Scotch eggs, pork pies as well as sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls, a slice of cake and fizzy drinks would take the equivalent of a brisk eight-hour walk to work off, according to a study from vegetarian brand Quorn.

A picnic can contain around 2,600 calories and 176g of fat, the researchers claimed. Government guidelines suggest no more than 70g of fat a day for women and 95g for men is healthy.

The style of the meal – a series of snacks leisurely spread out over a two-hour period or longer – also means it is easier to eat more.

A healthy picnic can include strawberries, humus, chicken and potato salad, the study advised.