Sandwiches sold on high streets in Britain contain alarming amounts of sugar and salt, with some exceeding the levels found in popular snacks like Krispy Kreme doughnuts and salt and vinegar crisps, according to a comprehensive analysis by MailOnline. The investigation included more than 100 sandwiches and baguettes from various chains such as Pret, Costa, and Caffe Nero, as well as supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The results showed that Sainsbury’s had the highest sugar content, with its brie, bacon, and chilli chutney sandwich containing 19.7g of sugar. Pret’s cheddar and pickle baguette, notorious for its high price, was also among the worst offenders with 18.6g of sugar. Tesco’s pulled beef and red Leicester sandwich had 11.3g of sugar, while its BBQ chicken, bacon, and cheese sandwich contained 10g. Baguettes generally had higher levels of salt and sugar compared to standard sandwiches due to their larger portion sizes.
The NHS recommends a maximum daily intake of 30g of free sugars, found in added sugars rather than those naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables. The government also advises that sugars should not make up more than 5% of a person’s daily calorie intake. Many of the sandwiches and baguettes examined in the analysis contained more than half of an adult’s recommended daily salt allowance. For instance, Pret’s ham and greve baguette contained 3.85g of salt, and its Italian prosciutto baguette contained 3.59g. Consuming excessive salt can lead to increased blood pressure and raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. The NHS recommends that children consume less salt than adults due to their underdeveloped kidneys.
However, there were some sandwiches with lower levels of sugar and salt. Tesco’s gluten-free chicken and bacon mayo sandwich had only 0.4g of sugar and 1.4g of salt. Caffe Nero’s free-range egg mayo sandwich contained 0.6g of sugar and 1.5g of salt, while Tesco’s gluten-free cheese and tomato sandwich had 0.7g of sugar and 1.24g of salt.
In addition to the sugar and salt content, some sandwiches exceeded the recommended daily calorie intake. Pret’s cheddar, mustard, and pickles sandwich contained the highest number of calories among the high street options, exceeding 600 calories. To put that into perspective, a Mars bar has 228 calories. Men are advised to consume a maximum of 2,500 calories per day, while women should stick to 2,000.
When asked for comment, Pret and Sainsbury’s emphasized their commitment to offering a diverse menu and providing customers with relevant nutritional information to make informed choices. Tesco stated that they have removed over 71 billion calories from their own-brand products since 2018, with a focus on reducing added sugar, salt, and fat. MailOnline reached out to Costa and Caffe Nero for comment, but no response has been received yet.
The NHS recommends a balanced diet that includes starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, bread, and pasta, along with at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily. It is also important to consume dairy or dairy alternatives, proteins from sources like beans, pulses, fish, eggs, and meat, and unsaturated oils in moderation. Limiting salt and saturated fat intake is crucial, and adults should drink 6-8 cups of water per day. This information is based on the NHS Eatwell Guide.
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