The most fattening fast-food meals in SA

Article Source: www.businesstech.co.za – January 28, 2015

South Africans love their fast-food, so much so that we’ve eaten our way to becoming one of the most obese nations in the world.

The Lancet issued research by the Global Burden of Disease in 2014 listing the obesity ratings of 188 countries across the globe – and South Africa ranked highly, as one of the most obese nations.

According to the research report, 38.8% of all men over the age of 20 are considered overweight and obese – of these, 13.5% are categorised as obese.

For women, the figures are even worse – with 69.3% of women over the age of 20 considered overweight and obese, of which 42% obese.

While these are not the highest stats in the world (an ‘honour’ which belongs to nations such as the USA, and Mexico) this does make South Africa by far the fattest country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fast food, fatty meals

One of the most commonly cited reasons for South African’s growing obesity problem is the ‘westernisation’ and urbanisation of the population.

Fast-paced urban lifestyles don’t leave much room for physical activity, and increasingly put people into contact with fast-food, which often carries high fat, sugar and salt content.

While bodies vary, based on normal BMI the average man should ingest around 2,400 Calories (or kilocalories) a day, and the average woman around 2,000 Calories.

These meals listed below are the most fattening items from a number of popular South African fast-food chains which, in some cases, could fill the recommended daily intake (RDI) quota in one meal.

BusinessTech counts the calories of some of South Africa’s most loved fast-food meals.

Wimpy (Burgers)

Family-favourite, Wimpy has many high-calorie meals that exceed the double bacon and cheese burger, but grills and steaks are more for sit-in than fast-food take-away.

Double Bacon and cheese burger
Price	R72.00
Calories	765 kcal
Fat	55.2 g
Saturated fat	22.3 g
Cholesterol	181 mg
Sodium	1213 mg
% of RDI	35%

Kauai

Hawaiian-themed and health-focused Kauai offers many healthy meals and fitness-ready smoothies – but the chain’s peanut butter bomb (loaded with extra whey protein) isn’t shy to pack on the bulk.

Peanut butter bomb (650ml)
Price	R48.90
Calories	825 kcal
Fat	33 g
Saturated fat	6 g
Cholesterol	5 mg
Sodium	307 mg
% of RDI	38%

Steers

While the famed King Steer Burger (at 655 Calories), the chain’s double rack of ribs and medium chips menu option dethrones it as the heaviest offer.

Double rack of beef ribs and chips
Price	R129.99
Calories	1,112 kcal
Fat	54.0 g
Saturated fat	30.0 g
Sodium	2165 mg
% of RDI	51%

Nando’s

Nando’s, with its flame-grilled chicken is often touted as the healthier route to the deep-fried delights of KFC – but its half-chicken and wedges meal (up-sized of course), still packs a punch.

Half chicken and large wedges
Price	R83.80
Calories	1,132 kcal
Fat	60.0 g
Saturated fat	15.3 g
Cholesterol	212 mg
Sodium	1170 mg
% of RDI	51%

KFC

KFC’s Wicked Zinger box meal comes packed with a burger, Zinger wings, chips, mash and a coke. It is the heaviest meal for one on offer, if you can accept that no single person can finish a 3,665 Calorie 21-piece bucket all on their own.

Wicked Zinger Box meal
Price	R64.90
Calories	1,527 kcal
Fat	57.4 g
Saturated fat	20.5 g
Cholesterol	181 mg
Sodium	3928 mg
% of RDI	69%

Burger King

New old-comer to South Africa’s fast-food scene, Burger King had people literally queuing for hours to get their hands on its Whopper burger. Of course, it’s the chain’s Big King XXL burger meal – packing 955 Calories for the burger alone- which takes the prize.

Big King XXL meal
Price	R73.90
Calories	1,538 kcal
Fat	75.3 g
% of RDI	70%

McDonald’s

McDonald’s has received massive criticism for its high-fat meals over the years – and rightly so. The company’s biggest bite in South Africa takes the shape of a 865 Calorie McFeast Deluxe burger. Slap on the super-size chips and soda, and we’re looking at a 2,000 Calorie meal.

McFeast Deluxe XL meal
Price	R66.50
Calories	2,073 kcal
Fat	91.4 g
Saturated fat	43.2 g
Sodium	2181 mg
% of RDI	94%

Roman’s Pizza

Roman’s Pizza is a popular pizza take-out spot thanks in large part to its double-pizza prices. The chain sells its pizzas in twos, with both thin and thick base options. Technically you could double the information below, if you ate both pizzas on your own.

Chicken n’ Mayo & Feta Pizza – Large (pan base)
Price	R142.90
Calories	2,311 kcal (288 kcal per slice)
Fat	108.6 g
Saturated fat	51.2 g
Sodium	5389 mg
% of RDI	105%

Debonairs

It should come as no surprise that a pizza chain would take the top spot on this list – particularly when that pizza chain is Debonairs, which offers stuffed crusts, sausage-stuffed bases and, yes, the triple stack pizza.

Triple Decker Meat Pizza – Large
Price	R104.90
Calories	2,763 kcal (345 kcal per slice)
Fat	109.2 g
Saturated fat	68.1 g
Cholesterol	343 mg
Sodium	7454 mg
% of RDI	126%

Bonus – Cinnabon

While not technically a fast-food chain, Cinnabon has made a name for itself as being one of the heaviest pieces of doughy heaven you could ingest. One Cinnabon measures roughly the size of a fist, and accounts for half your RDI.

Caramel Pecan Cinnabon
Price	R27.90
Calories	1,080 kcal
Fat	50 g
Saturated fat	20 g
Cholesterol	25 mg
Sodium	960 mg
% of RDI	49%