Research reveals 93% of dinner meal deals surpass recommended calorie limits, with some containing over 1,500 calories

A study by the University of Birmingham has revealed that almost all supermarket “dine-in” meal deals surpass the UK government’s recommended limit of 600 calories per dinner. Out of the 85 meal deals analysed, a staggering 93% exceeded the calorie guideline, with the highest-calorie option reaching 1,526 calories.

These supermarket meal deals, typically marketed as a cost-effective alternative to dining out, offer a full meal for one or two people, including a main dish, side, dessert, and drinks. While they may be a budget-friendly option, the research highlights that they often fail to meet nutritional guidelines.

Dr Sheena Leek, the study’s lead researcher, commented, “What is healthy for our wallets is not necessarily healthy for our bodies.” The study examined meal deals across three major supermarket chains, finding significant variation in calorie content. At one chain, only 60.3% of the dinner deals exceeded the 600-calorie limit, while at another, nearly all (99.7%) surpassed it.

The average main dish in the meal deals accounted for 51.2% of the recommended calorie intake, but this varied from 39.6% to 78.3% across the stores. Side dishes and desserts consistently contributed between 30% and 50% of the total recommended calorie intake.

Introduced in 2016, the government’s One You campaign encourages healthier eating, with the 400-600-600 guideline advising adults to consume 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch, and 600 for dinner. However, Dr Leek noted that for time-constrained consumers, opting for a “dine-in” meal deal can easily lead to exceeding these recommendations.

The study also found that the inclusion of desserts and drinks significantly increased the calorie content of the meal deals, with the smallest-calorie deals containing only a main and a side dish. While convenient, the research suggests that these meal deals often make it difficult for individuals to adhere to the 600-calorie dinner target.