- Fast food chain says the fries have 30 per cent less fat than regular versions
- Newly-designed batter means the potato will absorb less oil, company says
- Fries are crinkle-cut so that staff can tell the difference when serving
- But small portion of Satisfries has just 8 fewer calories than standard one
By
Anna Hodgekiss
09:31 EST, 4 March 2014
|
13:09 EST, 4 March 2014
Burger King has launched ‘diet chips’ in a bid to target health conscious consumers.
The fast-food chain says the new ‘Satisfries’, as they are called, contain 30 per cent less fat than standard fries.
The UK and Ireland launch comes just six months after the lower fat fries were introduced in the U.S. and Canada.
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‘Healthy option’: The new Burger King ‘Satisfries’
(left) are said to have 30 per cent less fat than regular fries. A
small portion of regular Burger King fries (right) contains 222
calories, while Satisfries have 214
The company has worked with chip producer McCain to develop a new coating to block out more vegetable oil during frying.
‘We will offer our guests a
new fat-reduced option without compromising on taste,’ said Bianca
Shen, VP Marketing and Communications, Europe, Middle East
Africa, in a statement.
‘Insight shows that guests are increasingly looking for reduced fat products… and Satisfries are the first French fries to offer guests a reduced fat option.
‘The difference is that the Satisfries recipe ensures that theÂ
French fries absorb less fat during frying – offering a great tasting
French fry that is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the nside.’
Yet some would argue it was barely worth swapping – a small portion of Satisfries has just eight fewer calories than standard one, with 214 rather than 222
Yet some would argue it was barely worth swapping – a small portion of Satisfries has just eight fewer calories than standard one, with 214 rather than 222.
Burger King has been trying to revamp its image in recent years, adding choices like cranberry apple salads and mango smoothies to its menus.
The fries – which will cost up to 20p more – will be made in the same fryers and cooked for the same length of time.
But
executives refuse to say how ingredients in the oil-repellant recipe
have changed and insist McCain will not supply the ‘diet’ chips to any
other fast-food chain.
Burger
King insists the secret ingredient is so effective it cuts calories
even though the new shape means there is a larger surface area for each
fry.
The new chips will be available in 1,800 outlets, priced from £1.39.
Last year McDonalds released a yolk-free version of its Egg McMuffin as a ‘healthy option’ in the U.S.
The Egg White Delight is made with a wholegrain muffin and contains 260 calories compared to the 300 in a regular Egg McMuffin.
The move was intended to address criticism that fast food chains contribute to rising obesity rates.
How the different types of Burger King chips compare
BUT HOW DO SATISFRIES TASTE?
When the lower fat fries launched in the U.S., MailOnline staff there performed a taste test…
‘The full-fat fries definitely have more flavor than the new
low-calorie option,’ said one online journalist, who decided to stick
with the regular version despite its 340 calories.
‘I know it
isn’t good for you but when you’re going for fast food fries, you have
to go all out and get the full effect by having them loaded up with salt
and grease,’ she added.
A senior editor agreed. ‘The crinkly
don’t hold a candle to the regular. If they were 50 per cent fewer
calories they MAY be worth eating, but they are no substitute. Also they
are not salty enough,’ she said.
Another reporter, who believes
Burger King ‘has always had the worst fast food French fries,’ thinks
the new low-calorie option is ‘even worse’.
‘They have a more
potato-y flavour, but not in a good way. They are mushy and soggy on the
inside and pale and limp on the outside,’ he said. ‘And who really
wants to save calories at Burger King, anyway?’
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Donnylad,
Doncaster, United Kingdom,
moments ago
Haha, And people will fall for this too. A lot minus 30% still equals a lot. The only think you could reasonably call “Diet Chips†would be “no chipsâ€.
Hot-Hunk Jake,
Chelsea_London, United Kingdom,
moments ago
Less fat, less taste. What a silly gimmick. Fat is good for you and necessary.
Ishka,
London, United Kingdom,
moments ago
Still loads of fat, though.
Morrisseys Quiff,
Manfester, United Kingdom,
8 minutes ago
if they are half the fat im going to have twice as much ..nom nom nom
tony,
London,
14 minutes ago
Why would you eat fries if you are not slim ? If you are a few pounds overweight just have a salad without dressing for goodness sake
Affirmation,
Newcastle, United Kingdom,
26 minutes ago
Buy anything fast food, oh hell even food that has an advert, and you know what you’re about to put your body through.
mrwulf,
Cornwall,
33 minutes ago
Just another clever marketing ploy to dupe people into believing it is a healthier option..shameful!
Louisa-Jane,
London,
35 minutes ago
8 fewer calories? Not worth shouting about really, is it?
Bristol Expat now NZ,
wellington, New Zealand,
38 minutes ago
1) since when do fast food chains.chips EVER look that appetising?
2) crinkle cut chips are by FAR the most unhealthy, as they have a larger surface area which means more fat/oil is abke to cling to it. If they wanted to cut down the fat even more then they would use straight cut ‘fat size proper’ chips not string fries or crinkle cut
Deena,
London,
38 minutes ago
The Burger King fries (on the right) they dont sell those ones any more, the chips now are fatter ones.
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