Energy Content of Main Meals in Major UK Restaurant Chains

Understanding the calorie (energy) content of meals can help diners make healthier choices. Below is a snapshot of the average kilocalorie (kcal) values for popular main dishes offered by some of the biggest restaurant brands operating across the United Kingdom.

McDonalds

Meal	Energy (kcal)	Portion Size
Big Mac	508	219g
ChickenMelt	460	210g
FiletOFish	380	190g
Veggie Deluxe (plantbased)	370	200g

Wagamama

Meal	Energy (kcal)	Portion Size
Katsu Curry (chicken)	690	500g
Ramen (pork)	560	460g
Steak & Mushroom Ramen	620	480g
Vegetable Katsu Don	540	460g

Pizza Express

Meal	Energy (kcal)	Portion Size
Margherita (12inch)	1,150	450g
Pollo (12inch)	1,260	470g
Veggie Delight (12inch)	1,040	440g
Garlic & Herb Crusted Salmon (main)	560	260g

Greggs

Meal	Energy (kcal)	Portion Size
Chicken Bake	570	310g
Steak Bake	560	310g
Spicy Sausage Roll	470	250g
Vegetarian Sausage Roll	420	250g

Nandos

Meal	Energy (kcal)	Portion Size
Half Chicken (Medium)	690	350g
Chicken Breast (Large)	560	340g
Spicy King Wings (8 pcs)	740	380g
Grilled Halloumi Salad	450	260g

Key Takeaways

• Fastfood giants such as McDonalds typically keep mainmeal calories between 350kcal and 520kcal, though larger combo meals can push total intake much higher.
• Asianinspired chains like Wagamama serve portions that are richer in energy (500700kcal) because of hearty sauces and noodles.
• Pizzafocused restaurants have the highest perdish energy values, often exceeding 1,000kcal for a full 12inch pizza.
• Bakerystyle outlets (Greggs) sit in the midrange, with baked savoury items around 420570kcal.
• Grilledchicken chains (Nandos) provide a good protein source, but portion size still matters; a halfchicken can be near 700kcal.

All calorie numbers are based on the most recent publicly available nutrition information (2024) and refer to the standard serving sizes listed on each brands website. Variations may occur depending on optional extras, sauces, or regional recipes.