4,000 calories in one sitting. The new regulation has been implemented as a way to tackle the obesity crisis – with over 60% of British adults now rated as overweight or obese.But, it has come under fire from some sectors as they worry that it may affect people with restrictive eating disorders or cause undue anxiety in diners.We spoke to a number of nutritionists and health professionals to find out whether they think the new calorie menus are a positive move, or, whether they’re unnecessary or even harmful.
Check out their responses below… Registered Dietitian, and fitness expert for JustCBD, Nataly Komova said: “As a nutritionist I think the mandatory regulation of restaurants to indicate calorie amounts on the menus in the UK can have both positive and negative implications on people. “On the positive side, calorie counts can help counter obesity cases high in the UK.
The listing provides the consumer with healthy options to make regarding the number of calories. It might help in the fight against obesity in the long run, but not much is expected from this mandatory rule.“On the negative, calorie listing can trigger and worsen eating disorders among most people.
The idea of labelling calories on foods alone cannot effectively lower obesity as more needs to be done on the same. In my personal view, calorie listing will worsen eating disorders for people already with the condition as they might find it shaming and more difficult to eat out.“It’s not a healthy way of nutrition, as low calories don’t imply that you are getting the recommended amounts of nutrients and minerals.” Meanwhile, Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click, said: “They are useful for people that are able to understand nutrition and calories..