Does Calorie Label Really Help With Healthy Eating Habits?

Calorie labelling of food labelling on menus and food packaging has been introduced in many countries. This is seen as a part of public health strategies to spread awareness around the consumption of food and its nutrition values and to combat chronic diseases. In England, rules mandate calorie disclosure on menus for restaurants, cafes, and takeaways with over 250 employees came into effect in 2022.

The United States Food and Drug Administration also announced that in the coming next few years, food manufacturers have to put nutritional labels on the front of packaged foods. This proposal by FDA comes in the content of chronic diseases and the need for combating the same. The front-of-package labels are required for "most packaged foods", said the announcement.

The labels will be called the "Nutrition box info", which would show customers whether products have low, medium, or high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

While these policies may have potentials, studies show otherwise.

A review of 25 studies, which was conducted in countries like the US, Canada, UK, and France assessed the effectiveness of calorie labelling in encouraging healthier food choices. The study found that calorie labelling led to a reduction of calorie consumption, though it was only a small reduction of 11 calories, which is around 1.8% in a 600-calorie meal.

Small, But Measurable Impact

Though modest, even if there are small changes in calorie intake, it can contribute to preventing gradual weight gain which happens over time. Especially helpful for people as they age. This therefore suggests that while labelling is not transformative, it could be a valuable tool in the larger fight against obesity and other chronic illnesses.

Does It Help?

For some, it sure does. As per BBC, a 27-year-old HR assistant Imara from Birmingham found this labelling really empowering. She said that it helped her stay on track with her weight-loss goals, while she can occasionally enjoy such meals whenever she is out with her family or friends.

While it is true that for those who are trying to manage their diet, labelling can actually help them feel a lot in control and being align with their weight objective. However, it’s important to note that not everyone interacts with calorie information the same way, which adds complexity to the policy's overall impact.

Experts also suggest that calorie labelling is not just one solution to all. There must be other measures like taxing sugary drinks, restrictions on unhealthy food marketing and reformulating food products in general to reduce calorie. The nutrition box strategy could only come to place when combined with other such strategies that can actually reflect public health.

As calorie labeling becomes more common, experts believe that the cumulative impacts will help to improve eating habits across communities. However, the policy's efficacy is dependent on ongoing consumer participation and additional measures.

Mental Health and Food Labels

Reading food labels is a good place to start, but it can be challenging for those with eating problems. People who have struggled with eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphia may find calorie counts on food packaging upsetting. It may encourage their negative behavior and lead them deeper into an unhealthy connection with food.