Dessert bars are the trendiest new addition to high streets up and down the country, and they’re growing faster in the UK than coffee shops.
But a nutritionist has revealed that some of the indulgent sweet treats these pudding havens sell are shockingly calorific.
One waffle topped with banana, caramel sauce and Nutella contains more than 1,000 calories.
With one in five 10 and 11 year olds now classified as obese in the UK, experts are asking: are these bars partly responsible?
This Banoffee and Nutella waffle sold at dessert bar chain Kaspa’s contains a whopping 1,040 calories, according to nutritionist Amanda Ursell
Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer discovers how unhealthy the desserts on offer at these parlours can be when he asks nutritionist Amanda Ursell to count up the calories in some of them on tonight’s Tricks of the Restaurant Trade on Channel 4.
She reveals that a Banoffee and Nutella waffle sold at dessert bar chain Kaspa’s contains a whopping 1,040 calories.
A similar Nutty Banoffle waffle sold at Creams, which also has branches all over the UK, contains 948 calories and a whopping 63g of sugar.
The NHS recommends adults and children over the age of 11 only eat a maximum of 30g of added sugars a day.
A Banutella waffle at Treatz bars contains 727 calories, according to Amanda Ursell
Another dessert parlour chain, Treatz, also sells a similar Banutella waffle, which contains 727 calories, according to Amanda Ursell.
None of the chains display their nutritional information on websites and don’t reveal how many calories are in all their desserts, unlike most chain restaurants, the show claims.
Amanda tells Simon: ‘They surprised me to be honest.’
She adds: ‘You can have a good old, slap up roast dinner for those kind of calories, and that’s with a pudding.
Simon Rimmer asks nutritionist Amanda Ursell to reveal how many calories are in some indulgent treats at three popular dessert bars on Tricks of the Restaurant Trade
‘When you put it in that kind of context, it’s just unnecessary, and I feel those people, their business is built on the image of excess.’
To burn off a 1,000-calorie waffle, Simon reveals you would have to dance non-stop for three hours, or run for 12 miles.
He asks teenagers if knowing how many calories the treats contain beforehand would put them off ordering one.
One girl said it wouldn’t put her off if she wasn’t eating at a dessert bar frequently, but if she did, then she would pay attention to the calories and sugar in each treat.
Simon tells the audience: ‘I’m torn about how I feel. If kids are using dessert bars two or three times a week, it’s really bad news for their health.
‘But everybody deserves an occasional treat. Let’s not blame the dessert bars. Let’s focus on educating our youth about moderation and balance.’
Handley Amos, the CEO of Creams, said: ‘At Creams, we’ve always positioned ourselves as a place for special celebrations.
‘Our core product is gelato: a healthier alternative to industrially produced ice cream. Desserts eaten occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet are a fantastic way to socialise, and Creams provides a much needed alternative venue to bars for young people to congregate and socialise.
‘Our recently revised menu consists of fresh fruit toppings options, fruit smoothies and also an entirely new and separate kids menu, which has halved the portion sizes of our desserts, giving parents and guardians choice when choosing desserts for children that are in keeping with a balanced diet.
‘We are also currently exploring savoury options and a gluten free waffle mix for 2018, as well as the use of Stevia and even lower fat versions of gelato using dairy free methods.’
Treatz and Kaspa’s have been asked for comment.