Munchy box
{{Short description|Inexpensive takeaway fast-food from the United Kingdom}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Munchy box
| image = Munchy Box.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = A munchy box: clockwise from the top: pizza, french fries, pakora (vegetable (left) and chicken (right)), a tub of sauce, salad, and doner meat
| alternate_name =
| country = Scotland
| region =
| creator =
| course =
| type = Fast food
| served =
| main_ingredient = Kebab meat, fried chicken, pizza, chicken tikka, samosas, onion rings, chow mein, pakora, naan, garlic bread, coleslaw
| variations =
| calories =
| other =
}}
A munchy box or munchie box is an inexpensive fast-food product sold from takeaway restaurants, primarily in Scotland and Glasgow in particular, but also in many other parts from Aberdeen to Rothesay. They are also now sold by many takeaways across the UK and Ireland. It consists of an assortment of fast foods served in a large pizza box.
Ingredients and nutrition
The contents of a traditional munchy box vary but may typically include kebab meat, chicken tikka, samosas, chow mein noodles, pakora, naan, and other fast foods and sauces such as curry sauce. There is sometimes a salad item and, invariably, chips or fried rice. While it is not clear whether a munchy box is intended to be consumed as a meal for one, there has been concern of the health implications if it is consumed as such.{{cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3q5kk/i-destroyed-my-insides-by-eating-a-5000-calorie-box-full-of-fried-food | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118195015/https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3q5kk/i-destroyed-my-insides-by-eating-a-5000-calorie-box-full-of-fried-food | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 18, 2020 | title=I Destroyed My Insides by Eating a 5,000-Calorie Box Full of Fried Food | publisher=Vice (magazine) | accessdate=28 November 2020 | author=6 September 2018}} A less traditional munchie box may also include a pizza, chicken nuggets, garlic bread, mozzarella sticks and coleslaw.
There have been reports of healthier options of munchy boxes. The healthy option might be composed of tortillas, cherry tomatoes, a salad, boiled eggs, sliced gammon, raw red onions, nachos, chicken mayo, a sprinkling of cheese and other healthy foods. Sushi is sometimes included in the healthier option.{{Cite web|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/14506429.seaside-cafe-goes-viral-with-healthy-munchie-box/|title=Seaside cafe goes viral with healthy munchie box|website=Glasgow Times}}
Criticism
The combination of very large portions and low prices has made the munchy box popular; however, its contents, consisting mostly of deep fried or fatty foods, have led to health concerns among some Scottish politicians and health campaigners, particularly if consumed by children. Glasgow City Council has undertaken nutritional analysis of munchy boxes on sale in the west of Scotland with the intention of encouraging restaurants to include healthier ingredients and reduce portion sizes.{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/heart-attack-in-a-lunchbox-is-this-your-child-s-school-snack-1-1437887|title=Heart attack in a lunchbox – is this your child's school snack?|website=The Scotsman|accessdate=12 February 2019}}
See also
{{portal|Food}}
- Halal snack pack
- Kapsalon
- Scottish cuisine
- Glasgow effect
- Bento
- Spice bag – a fast food dish popular in Ireland inspired by Asian cuisine
- Garbage Plate
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://23x.net/5/what-is-a-munchy-box.html What is a Munchy Box?]
{{Scottish cuisine}}
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