Calorie displays in cafes, restaurants and takeaway menus address health and obesity-related issues and encourage people to make “healthier choices” when eating out today (April 6). Will be introduced in the UK from.
The mandatory menu label was announced by the government in May 2021 and applies to large companies with more than 250 employees, but nutritionists are concerned about potential unhealthy behavior with food that it can cause. And face various reviews with eating disorder charities.
Tom Quinn, Foreign Minister of Beat, one of the UK’s leading eating disorder charities, said:
Labeling means that calories are displayed on physical and online menus, food delivery platforms, and food labels. This is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle obesity, hoping to allow more informed choices when people eat food or order takeaways. It has been introduced.
The government estimates that overweight and obesity-related health conditions cost the NHS about £ 6.1 billion annually. They add that nearly two-thirds (63%) of adults in the UK are overweight or obese, as is one in three children when they graduate from primary school.
It is estimated that one in three children graduating from primary school in the United Kingdom is overweight or obese.
(Getty Images)
Former Public Health Minister MP Jo Churchill said: That’s why we want everyone to have access to accurate information about the food and drinks we order. ”
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the impact of obesity on people’s health, and the government has introduced such measures to “ensure and maintain people’s healthier weight. It states that it will form a “building block” for “supporting and encouraging.” However, charities say that there has not been enough research to see if encouraging calorie counting makes a substantial difference.
Quinn is “extremely disappointed” by the government’s move to mandate a calorie display menu for the charity, despite evidence that it can cause anxiety and stress in people with eating disorders. “I add.
He continues. “It can increase the adherence to calorie restriction in people with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and increase the feeling of guilt in people with bulimia. There is also great evidence that the law will change the diet of the general public. Limited to. “
According to a study by Oxford University and the University of Cambridge, calorie labeling reduces the amount of calories burned by a person by only 12%, and according to a study by Vita Mojo and KamMedia, only 21% of consumers believe that labeling is positive. Impact on national obesity levels.
Rhiannon Lambert, author and founder of Rhitrition, a certified dietitian at Pho, is also worried about the potential impact of introducing mandatory calorie labels.
She may help make more informed decisions about what people are eating, but for people who already have an eating disorder or an eating disorder, the calories to the menu The introduction may only “worse” their situation, he says.
She adds:
“It’s important to remember that calories aren’t everything when it comes to the foods we consume. Calorie use is determined using old calculations that don’t take into account a person’s age, size, or physical activity level. This can be a problem because it can have a significant impact on a person’s daily calorie intake.
“You may want to use these numbers as a tool, but it’s important to remember that they are not the ultimate answer for defining a healthy lifestyle.”
“When it comes to the food we consume, calories aren’t everything,” said Pho nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert.
(Pho restaurant)
Fitness and nutrition expert Penny Weston agrees. She states: “This information may help the general public to clarify which is the healthier choice when eating out, but I don’t think the benefits are clear either.
“A healthy diet does more than just count calories. It helps in several ways, but it really depends on your own health and diet, so people should be obsessed with sticking to calorie restriction. There is none.
“Not all calories are the same in terms of how they are treated in the body and their impact on people’s health. For example, the calories in protein-rich foods help keep you full, but they are high in sugar. Processed foods may have similar calories, but have little nutritional value. “
It is estimated that 1.25 million people in the UK have eating disorders and that pandemics exacerbate the country’s mental health crisis. Quinn adds: “Beat has continuously urged the government to take an evidence-based approach in developing health policies, considering the impacts on people affected by eating disorders. This is part of the process. You should consult with an eating disorder clinician or specialist based on your experience at all stages. “
Ms. Lambert said, “Eating out, and eating out in general, is often about spending time, fun, and joy with friends and family. The option to see numbers should be available, but unhealthy relationships with food. Not needed for some people as it may help. “
