No to upsizing - methodology

Calorie information was taken from a range of retailers and ‘Out of home’ (OOH) business websites, dependent upon the upsizing scenario. Out of home includes all food eaten outside the home and on the go, for example from restaurants, cafes and supermarket meal deals,  in addition to any takeaway and home delivered food.

The sample of ‘OOH’ businesses was based on the FSS Informed decisions publication.
The calorie counts are the additional amount consumed as a result of upsizing or upselling when buying various food/drinks. They do not represent the total amount of calories consumed. The calories are average values based on a variety of products currently available on the market. 

For example:

  • Adding marshmallows and cream to hot chocolate will increase the number of calories by 158.
  • By choosing to buy a fast food meal, made up of a cheeseburger, fries and sugary drink you will consume an extra 454 calories than if you only had a cheeseburger.
Scenario Average number of additional calories consumed
A ‘grab-bag’ of crisps instead of standard size 85
Adding a dessert (e.g. sticky toffee pudding) 705
Adding a garlic bread as a starter or side 380
Adding a packet of crisps and a sugary drink to a sandwich 285
Adding a portion of onion rings*** 234
Adding ice cream to a dessert 127
Adding marshmallows and cream to hot chocolate 158
Adding Biscuit/confectionery item on a train to cup of tea 208
Buying a chocolate brownie in a coffee shop with your coffee 346
Buying a large bar of chocolate with your newspaper 1005
Buying a large sugary fizzy drink* 351
Going from medium to large latte 62
Going from single cheeseburger to a meal deal with reg fries and regular fizzy drink 454
Going from small to large Popcorn (Sweet): 689
Adding fries to a meal** 295
Adding an individual/starter portion of nachos**** 825
Adding a portion of garlic bread with cheese***** 528
Buying a cinnamon swirl to have with your coffee 341

*Based on cinema measures of fizzy drinks

**Based on ‘quick service’ burger restaurants

***Based on ‘quick service’ burger restaurants

****Based on an individual/starter portion

*****Described as bread/starter/side/accompaniment/add on