The 3,000 calorie binge during summer

by Taryn Davies | 14 August 2013

It's hard to say no to the food on offer at a BBQ

The average barbecue diner eats more than 3,000 calories in a single sitting, according to a survey.

That is the equivalent of a day and half’s worth of food for a woman - and is 500 calories more than a man’s daily limit.

Britons have gone barbecue crazy this summer, with 90% having enjoyed the outdoor meals. The majority of us say that we eat more at barbecues that we do at other meals.

Half of diners go back for seconds, more than a fifth a have thirds and 12% have fourths or even further helpings.

The results came in a survey of a 1,000 people by the diet company Forza Supplements.

By far the most popular barbecue dish is the beef burger, chosen by 32% of respondents. Next came sausages, kebabs, steak chicken drumsticks and lamb chops.

Just 4% of diners chose fish - the healthiest and least calorific option.

The calorie binge is made worse by the fattening snacks we serve with the meat. Nine out of ten people always serve fattening crisps, dips and potato salads with the main meal.

Almost half of us like to have ice cream as a dessert.

Lager was the most popular drink, followed by coke, rose, white wine, lemonade and water.

Forza found that the average barbecue helping consists of two sausages, one-and-a-half burgers and two chicken drumsticks. We then pile plates with sides of a baked potato, a helping of green salad, some pasta salad and several dollops of mayonnaise and other dressings.Most of us have not one but two desserts.

The average boozer drinks four bottles of lager or three glasses of wine. Those not drinking alcohol have at least three glasses of coke or lemonade.

Forza managing director Lee Smith said: "This summer has been the hottest since 2006, so we shouldn't complain.

"We've all been outside enjoying barbecues and they have taken a terrible toll on our waistlines.

"Although grilled meat and fish can be very healthy, most of us cancel out any benefits by eating far too much of it and we overindulge in fats and carbohydrates on the side.

"If you are a guest, you feel obliged to try all the options and are pressured by the host to eat more."

Supermarkets have seen a huge surge in sales of barbecue products this summer. Barbecue sales have doubled and sales of charcoal have gone up by 176%.

How those summer treats add up

Main course Calories

Beef burger 304

Pasta salad 278

Chicken drumstick 155

Pork sausage 151

Grilled salmon fillet 150

Potato salad 145

Mixed green salad 109

Baked potato 29

Drinks

Can of Stella 220