BATTLE OF THE BULGE

MEALS in restaurants are often unhealthier than takeaways.

Expensive dishes often have “excessive” calories which are fuelling the nation’s obesity crisis, say health experts.

Researchers analysed thousands of meals from places such as Hungry Horse, Nandos, Pizza Express and McDonald’s.

Public Health England said meals should not exceed 600 calories.

But the University of Liverpool study revealed that restaurant dishes had an average of 1,033 calories while fast-food takeaways had 751 calories.

Researcher Dr Eric Robinson said the results were “shocking” but probably even underestimated the calories consumed in restaurants.

He said: “Our analysis did not include drinks, starters, desserts or side orders.”

The study examined more than 13,500 meals at 21 sitdown restaurants and six fast-food chains.

It discovered that only one in 10 meals was classed as healthy, or contained fewer than 600 calories.

Hungry Horse restaurants had the highest average with 1,358 calories.

Chains including Flaming Grill, Stone House and Sizzling Pubs had an average of 1,200 calories per meal.

Dr Robinson said: “The food industry needs to act more responsibly.”

A Hungry Horse spokesman said: “We have been working hard to increase lower calorie options.”