Does the public agree? The new addition of calories on menus

A major part of travel is exploring the local cuisine. On Wednesday the 6th of April 2022, the UK government enforced a new law, making restaurants, cafes and takeaways add calories onto their menus.

Credit: Manchester Evening News. Close up if calories on a menu

This new law has divided the nation.

Beat Eating Disorders is a UK based charity, that tweeted: “We’re extremely disappointed that the government is making calories on menus mandatory in England from 6 April. We know it causes anxiety for people affected by eating disorders. We know it can increase fixations on restricting calories for anyone with anorexia or bulimia.” @BeatED.

Credit: @BeatED via Twitter. Click Tweet to read more.

The government has enforced this new law to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health. They claim that it allows the public to make more conscious decisions when eating out. However, many people have spoken out and said that the addition of calories on menus could be harmful to those who suffer from eating disorders. In addition, it could provide a gateway for people to develop unhealthy relationships with food

"It can also the be the final push *into* an ED. If a person is restricting or on some sort of fasting regime, having all these calories suddenly exposed to them could give that ED voice the authority to start skipping meals, one here, one there, then two, three etc."

@DaveRatcliff.

Credit: @DaveRatcliff via Twitter. Click the tweet to read more.

On the other hand, many people think that adding the calories onto menus is a positive change and is helpful to public health.

“I love this initiative. I want to know what I’m eating. I was shocked at how many calories I was consuming on a daily. Information is power & for those who wish to understand what they are eating in order to manage their health; this is a godsend.” @CharlDavidxx.

Credit: @CharlDavidxx via Twitter. Click tweet to read more.

It will be interesting to discover whether the government’s new law will help make the nation healthier.

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