It comes as the city has experienced an explosion of new outlets, culminating with popular Aussie chain Grill’d moving into Wagga Marketplace.

Brad Carroll, a previous franchisee of The Coffee Club, will run the new store.

It comes as latest figures from Murrumbidgee Local Health District show that rates of obesity are 10 per cent higher than the rest of the state, despite a decline in the number of residents being overweight. 

Ingrained Nutrition accredited nutritionist Peta Adams said while the burger chain offered a lot of healthier options, she warned Riverina residents to be wary of the kilojoules they were consuming.

“Grill’d offers the option of having traditional buns, gluten-free buns and lower GI, or lower carb buns,” Ms Adams said.

“But at the end of the day the kilojoule count (for a number of menu items) is similar to other chains – some are around 3000-4000 kilojoules.

“That is quite a lot for an average lunch option.”

The nutritionist pointed to Grill’d’s zucchini chips as an example of what could be perceived as a healthy option.

“The energy density is totally different (to what you may cook at home),”  she said.

However, Grill’d claims to set itself apart from other fast food restaurants by offering healthier options.

The company’s website breaks its food options down into categories, such as “low sugar”, “low carb” and “paleo” to educate consumers on what they are putting into their mouths. It also serves up all the nutritional information for each menu item.

Despite the health concerns, a Wagga mother claims fast food is fine for young ones – in moderation.

Julie Fisher said she takes her two kids for takeout twice a week and both, she claims, are fitter than the average child their age. 

“Everyone makes a big song and dance about fast food but providing your kids are eating right most of the time and getting their exercise, it definitely doesn’t hurt,” she said. 

“When they’re young, their metabolism burns through any food.”

Grill’d is set to move into the site of the old OPSM and Prouds stores on Baylis Street, sometime before September.