Nutritional Profile of Local and Western Fast Foods Consumed in Bahrain

The aim of this study was to determine the proximate, mineral, and vitamin content of 16 commonly consumed fast foods (local and Western-based) in Bahrain. Samples were collected from several food outlets in Manama city, the capital of Bahrain, and analyzed using standard methods. In general, the findings revealed that local fast foods had higher cholesterol and energy content (ranging from 0–118 mg and 762–1796 kJ/100 g, respectively) compared to Western fast foods (ranging from 11–34 mg/100 g and 980–1172 kJ/100 g, respectively). Protein content was higher in most of the local fast foods compared to the Western fast foods (5.8–30.4 g/100 g and 10.3–17.9 g/100 g, respectively). Most of the minerals were higher in local fast foods, but calcium (16–153 mg/100 g) and phosphorous (54–273 mg/100 g) were higher in Western fast foods. Some of these foods had considerable levels of vitamin B₆ (0.03–0.25 mg/100 g), vitamin B₁₂ (0.1–2.3 μg/100 g), folacin (9.0–106 μg/100 g), and niacin (1.0–12.1 mg/100 g), while the rest of the vitamins were present to a lesser extent. Fat, energy, and sodium levels were also higher in local fast foods. It is evident that the conception that local fast foods are healthier than Western-based fast foods is inappropriate. Hence, nutrition education programmes need to focus on the nutritional aspects of both local and Western fast foods.