Aussie researchers say fast food lunch will take hours to burn off

Thinking about a fast food lunch? Well think again after Australian researchers found you'll have to exercise for hours after examining the kilojoule content of 229 small meals and snacks at 25 local fast food chains.

Topping the list released by researchers at the Sydney-based George Institute for Global Health on Wednesday is a Pork Nacho with Garlic Sauce product at a whopping 5005 Kilojoules per bowl, requiring a four hour and eight minute walk, a one hour and 48 minute run or a two hour and 25 minute bike ride.

Almost a quarter of the meals examined, including burgers, salads, sandwiches, burritos and pizzas exceeded 3,000 kilojoules, over a third of the average Australian's daily kilojoule requirement. The average Australian consumes just 8,700 kilojoules a day, and it's recommended no more than 2,000 kilojoules per meal should be eaten, which still requires a 90 minute walk to burn off.

"On average, Australians spend just over 30 minutes per day doing physical activity, which is not enough to burn off the kilojoules in many of these meals," Dr Kristina Petersen from the institute's Food Policy Division said in a statement.

A favourite among the fast foodies, Burger King's - known locally as Hungry Jacks - Ultimate Double Whopper boasted the most kilojoules in the burger category, requiring close to four hours of walking to burn it off.

If you care for a slice though, pizza from Dominos, Pizza Hut and Crust all came under the 1,300 kilojoule mark, but with serving sizes measured at just 100 grams, or one slice of pizza, workers will need to keep a close eye on how many slices are eaten.

For the office workers out there, where possible, bring food from home as you have more control of what and how much you are eating, Petersen said.

"If you buy food out, be aware of what you are eating," she said.

"Making small changes such as choosing menu items lower in kilojoules may help to prevent weight gain or achieve weight loss."

But if you think a simple salad will suffice, think again as they are laden with sauces and dressings which increase the amount of kilojoules, such as a small ancient grain peanut orange salad from local chain Sumo Salad, requiring a run of more than an hour to burn off. Endit