South Africa has developed a big fitness movement over the past few years. We often see gyms filled, cyclists riding next to the road and park runs and racing events reaching thousands of participants. Even so, South Africa has munched its way onto the list of top obese countries in the world. We have a high obesity rate of 28.30%.
Fast food in South Africa is a booming market. Perhaps it’s because grocery shopping is becoming so expensive and we’re working harder, which is leaving us with less time to cook. The problem with fast food chains, otherwise known as quick-service restaurants (QSR), is that they often produce cheap highly processed food. This food is high in added sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, cholesterol and carbs. And, don’t be fooled by the “healthier options” on the menu. These are often just as unhealthy.
List of unhealthiest fast food in South Africa
According to BusinessTech, here are some of the most unhealthiest fast food in South Africa:
Fully loaded dagwood with chips from Wimpy
Your waistline is LOVING IT – a bit too much.
- 5 236 kilojoules
- 69g of fat
- 76 g of carbs
- 1 926 mg of sodium
It makes up yo 60% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA). So if you eat this for breakfast, you may have to cut back on eating much more for the rest of the day.
Honey Duck from Simply Asia
This local Thai food outlet offers a few lower kilojoule meals. However, their honey duck is high in kilojoules and fat.
- 5 514 kilojoules
- 85g of fat
- 85 g of carbs
- 389 mg of sodium
It makes up to 63% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Streetwise 5 from KFC
This greasy meal is finger-licking good, until you realise that you’re putting 830 kilojoules into your mouth for every piece of chicken you eat.
- 5 456 kilojoules
- 64g of fat
- 85 g of carbs
- 3 260 mg of sodium
It makes up to 63% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Good Life Meal from FishAways
Don’t be deceived. Fish is not always the healthier option. FishAways’s Good Life Meal, which combines a medium hake, rice, chips, calamari strips and coleslaw, is 6 397 kilojoules.
- 6 397 kilojoules
- 92 g of fat
- 61 g of carbs
It makes up to 74% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Triple Whopper Meal XL from Burger King
The Triple Whopper is 4 610 kilojoules alone! Add a Pepsi and large coke and you’re consuming a very heavy meal!
- 7 290 kilojoules
- 68 g of fat
- 168 g of carbs
- 2030 mg of sodium
It makes up to 84% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Big Tasty Meal Supersize from McDonald’s
It’s no hidden secret that McDonalds is extremely unhealthy… The Big Tasty Meal Supersize will definitely leave you feeling a lot heavier.
- 9 259 kilojoules
- 110 g of fat
- 244 g of carbs
- 1 928 mg of sodium
It makes up to 106% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Chicken Mayo and Feta Pizza (thick base, large) from Roman’s Pizza
South Africans LOVE Roman’s Pizza, especially because they offer double-pizzas. Beware of their chicken Mayo and Feta Pizza. A single slice is 1 227 kilojoules.
- 9 815 kilojoules
- 109 g of fat
- 214 g of carbs
- 5 060 mg of sodium
It makes up to 113% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Mighty King Steer Burger from Steers
The Mighty King Steer Burger, which has three patties, is quite a hefty burger. It’s a meal fit for three kings!
- 10 677 kilojoules
- 170 g of fat
- 130 g of carbs
- 6 447 mg of sodium
It makes up to 123% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Meat Lover’s Large, (pan base) from Pizza Hut
At almost 2000 kilojoules per slice, you may want to rethink eating an entire Meat Lover’s pizza alone.
- 15 731 kilojoules
- 216 g of fat
- 296g of carbs
- 7 760 mg of sodium
It makes up to 181% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Meaty Cram Decker from Debonairs
This is the most kilojoule-heavy pizza, triple-stacked and stuffed with cheese griller sausages.
- 19 880 kilojoules
- 183 of fat
- 540 g of carbs
- 6 134 mg of sodium
It makes up to 229 % of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
You may also want to read: https://sabest.co.za/2019/11/4-outdoor-restaurants-in-pretoria-to-visit-this-spring/
