Salad or Big Mac? A burger may be the healthier option

Published on Wednesday 24 June 2009 21:50

SUPERMARKET shoppers have been warned that salads may not be the healthy option they appear after a survey found one contained more calories than a Big Mac and fries.

Morrisons' Atlantic Prawn Marie Rose Salad, priced 1.49, contains 855 calories and 66.3g fat – more than a McDonald's Big Mac and medium fries.

It is also nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of the fat a man should eat in a day and 94.7 per cent of a woman's recommended daily intake.

Consumer organisation Which? bought a selection of 20 pre-packed salads from Asda, Boots, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose to check on calories, fat, saturated fat and salt.

Which? editor Martyn Hocking said: "Many of the salads we looked at were surprisingly high in calories and fat. Mainly this was because they had mayonnaise or creamy sauces. These were often added generously."

Mr Hocking added: "This backs up what we've been saying for ages – a clear, consistent labelling scheme is important to help people spot how much fat, sugar and salt is in the food they're buying."