Calorie labeling on restaurant menus has been a requirement in the U.S. since 2018 and was introduced in the U.K. in 2022. The Food and Drug Administration mandated this information to be displayed on chain restaurant menus as a way to provide transparency to consumers about the nutritional content of the food they are consuming. While some people may prefer not to know the calorie count of their favorite treats like Starbucks Frappuccinos or Bloomin’ Onions from Outback Steakhouse, research suggests that calorie labels do have a small but noticeable impact on food choices.
A recent systematic review conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration found that calorie labels prompt people to select foods with an average of 1.8% fewer calories than they would without the labels. While this may seem like a modest change, small daily adjustments can have meaningful effects over the long term. For example, cutting just 24 calories a day could prevent weight gain over time. This is significant considering that a government report found that many people gain up to 20 pounds over a decade.
Christina Roberto, an associate professor of health policy, noted that while it is challenging to draw definitive conclusions about the average effect of calorie labeling due to the diversity of studies included in the review, there is evidence to suggest that calorie labeling influences consumer choices. She described calorie labeling policies as cost-effective and straightforward interventions that yield positive outcomes.
The Cochrane review included 25 studies on the effects of calorie labeling, with most taking place in restaurants, cafeterias, and supermarkets. The review also found that calorie labels may lead people to consume smaller portions of the food they select. However, more research is needed in real-world settings to confirm this finding. Additionally, the impact of calorie labels on alcoholic drinks remains inconclusive, as most countries do not require nutrition labels on such beverages.
While experts agree that calorie labels are a helpful tool for consumers, they stress that they are not a cure-all solution for addressing unhealthy eating habits. Other approaches, such as taxes on sugary drinks or marketing restrictions on unhealthy foods, should be implemented alongside calorie labeling to promote healthier choices. Overall, transparency through calorie labeling is seen as an important first step in empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their food choices. In recent years, there has been a growing debate among health experts about the effectiveness of calorie labels in shaping people’s food choices. While calorie information has long been considered a key factor in helping individuals make healthier decisions, some experts argue that it may not be the most relevant metric to focus on when it comes to improving overall health.
Giles Yeo, a geneticist at the University of Cambridge who specializes in the relationship between genes, food intake, and obesity, believes that calories are an outdated and ineffective form of information when it comes to promoting healthy eating habits. According to Yeo, calorie counts fail to provide crucial information about the nutritional content of food, such as protein, fiber, fat, or sodium. When faced with choices like a burrito bowl or a BLT at a restaurant, knowing more about the specific nutrients in each item can be more valuable than just focusing on calories.
To address these concerns, the FDA has proposed new labels for packaged foods that would highlight key nutritional components like saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium per serving. This shift reflects a broader effort to provide consumers with more meaningful information to guide their food choices and promote healthier eating habits.
Yeo also points out that calorie labels often target individuals who are already health-conscious, rather than those who may need the most guidance in making healthier choices. People who are on a tight budget may opt for cheap processed foods, which are often high in calories but lacking in essential nutrients. In order to promote equitable access to healthy food options, it is essential to consider how to make nutritious eating choices available to all members of society, regardless of their income level.
In light of these concerns, one potential solution could be to completely ban online advertisements for foods that are high in saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium. By limiting the marketing of unhealthy products, consumers may be less influenced by misleading or enticing promotions and more inclined to make informed decisions based on the actual nutritional value of the foods they choose to consume.
Ultimately, the goal is to empower individuals to make healthier choices by providing them with accurate and relevant information about the foods they eat. By shifting the focus away from calories and towards a more comprehensive understanding of nutritional content, we can help people make more informed decisions that support their overall health and well-being.
