Menus required to state calories per. dish

I think that most of us are quite well aware of what healthy eating is. I, for one, choose exactly what I fancy when we eat out, though - regardless of calorie content, so won't be reading about it!

Nor me, I wonder how restaurants feel about this.

The rise in obesity is in part because some people do not know the calorie content of food.

I know it is not a restaurant, however, I recently saw that a McDonald's salad is 780 calories yet a Big Mac is 680 calories. How many people would have the salad thinking they are making a good choice.

Well they’ve had a year to get used to since it was announced in 2021.

You should find answers to your questions on the GovUK website.

www.gov.uk/government/news/calorie-labelling-on-menus-to-be-introduced-in-cafes-restaurants-and-takeaways

A lot of them already do this. I like it. I like eating out now and then but don't want to consume thousands of calories.

Totaly agree with you hazel93.
A pointless thing to do.

Same here Kate and I must admit a lot are a shock. I’ve always known about calories, but I would have under estimated many dishes. It helps to make a choice if you are watching your weight.

Sometimes they are a shock BlueSky. I like to know how many calories I'm having then I can cut down accordingly for the rest of the day. I still enjoy tasty meals/lunches.

Exactly Kate!

I get the thinking behind it, but it wouldn't make a shred of difference to me. On the rare occasions that I do eat out, I want to enjoy my meal without giving a thought to the calories involved.

I like being able to see the calories because it took me a long time to lose the extra weight I was carrying. I weigh up in my mind the chosen meal and think if it is worth the calories. If the answer is yes, I enjoy eating without any problem.

A lot of commercial places already have to provide calorie and nutritional information and the new ruling just means that places with employees higher than 250 people will now have to also state calories (I'm presume chain type pub chains etc who have set sort of menus)

I really don't understand why it is so upsetting. Lots of people who are watching their weight already check and decide what they are they going to have prior to going out. Some people have specific dietary needs. No one is going to force feed you salad.

I do not eat out often enough for the occasional large calorie value meal do me harm.

I do not pig out and rarely have a pudding, because I do not have a sweet tooth and most dessrt menus leave me cold.

Our daughter checks the calories on everything, even if they're not listed. She has some sort of app. She's not obsessed but some years ago she was very overweight and extremely unhappy. She lost four and a half stone by herself, no gastric whatevers and no slimming clubs. She is just careful now. She still has lots of treats.

Losing and keeping off 4 and half stone is amazing

I agree Jane This was about 18 years ago. She has put a little bit back on but nothing to speak of.

Of course the odd meal out should be enjoyed without worrying about the long term effects.

However, I do think it is a good idea for the regular diners, or take-away eaters to be reminded what there frequent orders contain. If you are ordering in food a couple of times a week (and many people do it even more often) the calorie count can often be more than your entire daily needs.

Those who don't want to know can easily ignore it.

Like others I have lost weight - 2 stone, 8 years ago and I have not put it on again. I mentally gauge my intake of food and know when I am over doing it. Occasional days do not worry me and anyway after a 'heavy' day I usally am not hungry the following day, so will skip breakfast and have a small lunch without really thinking.

I find it helpful when trying to make a healthy choice. Its amazing how many extra calories are added on by a dribble of oil here and there . If I am going out for a celebration meal I would just have what I liked but if its a mid week can't be bothered to cook meal its helpful
However do I think it will impact on the nations health and obesity - not at all!!

It's only for businesses with 250 or more employees, basically the chains, so it's not an imposition on small cafes or restaurants.

I think it's a good idea - it could go some way to tackling obesity and improving quality.

A lot of chain restaurants do very little cooking as such, a lot of stuff is bought in and reheated. They might demand products from their suppliers that are not loaded with hydrogenated fats and bulking agents, etc.

I think it’s a great idea. It given people food for thought. Excuse the pun.

I would only give it attention if I was prevaricating between two dishes on the menu. The lower calories would then decide my selection.

The chain restaurants are able to do this already because they don't cook all the meals from scratch and don't serve vegetables eg potatoes in serving dishes - many meals have been pre-planned and reheated.

It won't be so easy for restaurants where all the the food is freshly and individually cooked.

Callistemon21

The chain restaurants are able to do this already because they don't cook all the meals from scratch and don't serve vegetables eg potatoes in serving dishes - many meals have been pre-planned and reheated.

It won't be so easy for restaurants where all the the food is freshly and individually cooked.

How many of those restaurants where all the food is freshly and individually cooked have more than 250 employees? My guess is not many, so it won't affect them.