Cathal Barry
Not long after reports about the dangers of eating processed meats died down had the media provided further cause for concern.
New research apparently found that a typical Indian takeaway meal of a starter, main course and pilau rice can contain far more calories than an adult’s total daily requirements.
The study of 280 Indian food samples from 36 outlets across Ireland, carried out by Ulster University on behalf of Safefood, the food safety promotion board, found that many Indian meals contain enough food for two people with approximately twice their recommended maximum level of fat and high levels of salt.
The news generated much discussion on air and in print with people apparently shocked at such ‘revelations’. Should it really have come as such a surprise? Of course not.
Everybody is aware, or at least should be aware, that eating certain types of ‘fast’ food are generally laden with calories and bad for your health. They are something to be enjoyed on occasion, never regularly. So it shouldn’t really have been such a bombshell.
Nevertheless, there is plenty to take away (excuse the pun) from the study in terms of how to go about ‘pigging out’ to a lesser extent when ordering a take away in the future.
As for the main dish, the study found that the average portion of chicken tikka masala contained 1,249 calories, almost two-thirds of the guideline daily amount (GDA) of 2,000 calories. A chicken korma had roughly the same amount of calories (1,248) while a chicken jalfrezi had 721 calories.
The reason chicken jalfrezi has close to half the number of calories than that of the chicken tikka masala or chicken korma is primarily due to it being a tomato based, compared to the other cream based dishes. So perhaps try to avoid the creamier options in future.
There is also no need to finish all the sauce, of which there is generally a surplus – just use enough to give your dish the required flavour.
Portion size is another thing to keep in mind when getting a take away and always eat it from a plate which will give you a better indication of the size of your meal.
The study found that the average portion of rice contained enough for two people and an average portion of pilau rice contained almost 500 calories, so make sure you share!
The one thing to really be aware of, however, is the side dishes on offer. An Indian take away would hardly be complete without a serving of naan bread, but bear in mind that such an indulgence really should be treated like a desert. After all, the study found that the average portion of peshwari naan bread contained 748 calories – so, it’s definitely one to be divided up!
Safefood has recommended that the public consider Indian takeaway meals as an occasional food and one portion should ideally be shared between two people.
I think that’s wise.