the calorie labeling Coffee, restaurant and takeaway menus will be launched from today (April 6) in England in the hope of tackling health and obesity-related issues and encouraging the public to make “healthier choices” when eating out.
Mandatory menu labeling was announced by the government in May 2021 and will apply to larger businesses with 250 or more employees, but has faced mixed reviews with nutritionists and eating disorder charities concerned about potential unhealthy behaviors towards food. what could cause.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs for one of the UK’s leading eating disorder charities, Defeatsays, “We know from the people we support that adding calories to menus can contribute to worsening harmful thoughts and behaviors related to eating disorders.”
Labeling legislation will mean calories will be displayed to customers on physical and online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels. It is being introduced as part of a broader government strategy to tackle obesity in the hope of ensuring people make more informed decisions when eating out or ordering takeaways.
The government estimates that overweight and obesity-related health conditions cost the NHS around £6.1 billion each year. They add that nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of adults in England are overweight or obese, as are one in three children by the time they finish primary school.
It is estimated that one in three children completing primary school in England is overweight or obese.
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Former Minister for Public Health MP Jo Churchill says: “Our aim is 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. That’s why we want to make sure everyone has access to accurate information about the food and drink We order.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic Highlighting the impact obesity can have on people’s health, the government says introducing measures like these will form “building blocks” to “support and encourage people to achieve and maintain a healthier weight”. But the charities say not enough research has been done to see if encouraging calorie counting will make a substantial difference.
Mr Quinn adds that the charity is “extremely disappointed” by the government’s decision to make calorie-labelled menus mandatory despite evidence that it can cause anxiety and stress for people with eating disorders.
He continues: “It can increase fixation on calorie restriction for people with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for people with binge eating disorder. There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changes in eating habits among the general population.”
A study conducted by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge found that calorie labeling reduced the number of calories consumed by a person. only 12 percentand a survey by Vita Mojo and Kam Media found that only 21 percent of consumers think labeling will have a positive effect on obesity levels in the country.
Rhiannon Lambert, certified nutritionist for Pho, Author and founder of Ritritionit is also concerned about the potential impact of introducing mandatory calorie labels.
She says that while it can help people make more informed decisions about what they’re eating, for people who already have an eating disorder or eating disorders, the introduction of calories on menus can only “exacerbate” their situation.
She adds: “It can further encourage negative thoughts and lead them to choose the lowest calorie option, when this may be below what the body requires to function optimally.
“It’s important to remember that calories aren’t everything when it comes to the food we eat. Calorie use can be problematic as it is determined by an outdated calculation, which does not take into account a person’s age, size, or physical activity levels, which can greatly influence a person’s daily caloric intake. a person.
“You may want to use these numbers as a tool, but it’s important to remember that they are not the definitive answer to defining a healthy lifestyle.”
“Calories aren’t everything when it comes to the foods we eat,” said Pho nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert.
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Expert in fitness and nutrition, penny weston, do you agree. She says: “The information may be helpful to members of the public in clarifying what the healthiest options are when eating out, but I would still say the benefits are unclear.”
“Eating healthy isn’t just about counting calories. While helpful in some ways, people shouldn’t obsess over meeting calorie limits, as it really depends on your own health and diet.
“All calories are not created equal in terms of how they are treated in the body and the effects on people’s health. For example, calories from high-protein foods will help keep you full longer, while sugary processed foods may have similar calories but little nutritional value.
An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder and the pandemic is exacerbating the country’s mental health crisis. Mr Quinn adds: “Beat has continually called on the government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policy. This should involve consulting physicians and experienced eating disorder experts at every stage of the process.”
Ms Lambert says that “eating out, and food in general, is often about spending time with friends and family, enjoying and enjoying. The option to view numbers should be available, but is not necessary for some people as it can foster an unhealthy relationship with food.”
