Calories are being shown on menus, but what does it mean for health?
A year ago, the government announced that large chain restaurants will be expected to print calorie counts on their menus. Pitched as part of their plan to tackle obesity in the UK, the move means any restaurant with over 250 employees had to reprint their menus last week.
With the law coming into effect, lots of people are questioning whether displaying the calorific value of meals could do more harm than good. We ask: what does it really mean for our health?
On the announcement of the policy, former Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said: “We aim to make it as easy as possible for people to make healthier food choices for themselves and their families, both in restaurants and at home. These measures form an important building block in our strategy to support and encourage people in achieving and maintaining a healthier weight.”
In a recent Public Health England Survey on calorie reduction, 79% of respondents said they think menus should include the number of calories in food and drink. Surely though we all need to understand what a calorie is before they are plastered all over the menus in some of our favourite restaurants.
What are calories?
Quite simply, they account for the amount of energy in an item of food or drink. This energy is essential for our bodies to function normally, we all use it to grow new cells, keep our bodies strong, and our brains functioning.
When we start to consume more calories than our bodies need or use, they begin to be stored as fat which can lead to people putting on excess weight.
In the UK, it is recommended that men stick to around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain healthy body weight. On the other hand, 2000kcal is recommended for women. However, these guidelines do not take into account the individual lifestyles, body shapes, and weights of people.
That’s why putting calorie measurements on menus could do a lot more than just make us think about our waistline.
What are the experts saying?
Yes, the move might reduce the £6.1 billion obesity cost that troubles the NHS each year but mental health charities and nutritionists are hitting back.
Speaking to the BBC, Beth Gripton a specialist eating disorder dietician says that the move will trigger relapses in people who have difficult relationships with food. She says: "If they're then faced with the numbers it will add to that challenge, add to the guilt and shame they already experience around eating, and be dangerous to someone who is trying to recover."
Experts aren’t the only ones trying to prove a point, medical studies are showing clear evidence against calorie counting too. Back in 2018, a study carried out by the University of Harvard found that only 9% of people picked healthier meals when they could see the count of each.
That said, the same study found that although customers didn’t change their diet, restaurants started to produce less calorific food. So, maybe this is more of a conundrum for restauranteurs than diners.
At this point, with the law already in place, there’s not much we can do to change it. However, the shift has incentivised the talkhealth team to go to more independent restaurants. So, support local eateries, stay healthy, and quit calorie counting if it doesn’t make you feel good.
If you want to learn more about healthy food choices, head over to our talkweight hub where you’ll find loads of great resources and advice.
Information contained in this Articles page has been written by talkhealth based on available medical evidence. The content however should never be considered a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek medical advice before changing your treatment routine. talkhealth does not endorse any specific products, brands or treatments.
Information written by the talkhealth team
Last revised: 7 April 2022
Next review: 7 April 2025
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