The sun is scorching the skies in Ireland as we embrace the good weather and break out the BBQs.

Nothing says summer like frying up some burgers and sausages outside on the grill - but you'll be surprised by the amount of calories in just one meal.

Research from Weight Watchers shows that the average person consumes a shocking 3,200 calories at each barbecue they go to, with a third admitting to noshing on triple their normal amount of food every time they dine outdoors.

The researchers think that the heavy amount of calories is down to the lack of structure in BBQ meals.

Unlike normal dinners, there's no sitting down with one plate of food but people are encouraged to pass around different plates and mill around, picking at everything there is.

Before you know it, you've scoffed down three burgers and a whole bowl of potato salad - and normally even one burger and chips meal has you stuffed!

Cooking sausages on barbecue

Not only that but BBQs tend to drag on quite a bit, they're eating events that last for hours.

And just like most Irish people, we feel guilty if we don't eat one of everything that the cook has made and keep the party going.

This then leads to us consuming three times the average amount of food we would with any other meal.

42% of those surveyed by Weight Watchers admitted to eating an average of six meat items (meaning burgers or hot dogs) at each BBQ.

Which isn’t just alarming in terms of calories – we’re also consuming dangerously high amounts of fat.

If you're wondering just how much 3,200 calories are, it's the same amount as eating six Big Macs, which most people would never dream of eating on a normal day.

And that's not including the alcohol we're drinking with our food. So you can kiss that summer body goodbye if you are over indulging at the staff BBQ!

Weight Watchers also found that there are some other foods and drinks we're fond of at BBQs that have hidden fats.

These include:

  1. Halloumi
  2. Fizzy soft drinks
  3. Fruit juice
  4. Bitter beer (3.7% vol)
  5. Tomato ketchup
  6. BBQ sauce
  7. Ice cream
  8. Mackerel
  9. Sausage rolls
  10. Coleslaw
  11. Marinades

But don't let these numbers scare you off from having BBQs or feel like you have to cut down on what you're eating at every sunny grill fest you attend.

BBQs are meant to be fun and you're allowed overeat a little. Just try to be mindful of how much you're eating.

A good tip is to try schedule your BBQ at lunchtime rather than dinner, so any overeating will result in a smaller dinner.

If you want to know how to have a healthier BBQ, you can join Weight Watchers and find more information here.