A recent survey suggests that displaying calorie information on restaurant menus could support recovery for individuals suffering from binge eating disorder (involves regularly eating a lot of food), while also helping them manage their eating habits more effectively.
In England, a regulation introduced in 2022 requires restaurants, takeaways, and cafés with more than 250 employees to display calorie counts on menus as part of efforts to reduce obesity and promote healthier food choices.
While the policy encourages healthier eating decisions among the general public, evidence also indicates that individuals with eating disorders may respond differently to calorie labelling, often opting for lower-calorie meals once the information is visible.
Researchers from University College London and King’s College London found that calorie labelling may be particularly beneficial for people with binge eating disorder, potentially aiding their recovery process.
According to Dr Nora Trompeter of the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, individuals with eating disorders have varied reactions to calorie labels, but those with binge eating disorder tend to find them more helpful in managing their condition.
