Calories on menus damaging for people with eating disorders, charity warns

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. My anorexia latches onto these numbers and dictates what I eat Survey respondent Some nine in 10 people said that seeing calorie counts affects their menu choices, with one respondent saying: “My anorexia latches onto these numbers and dictates what I eat: always the lowest-calorie option, making it even easier to lose the weight I can’t afford to lose.” Respondents also reported that measures put in place to mitigate harm, such as allowing restaurants to provide a calorie-free menu on request, cause embarrassment and encourage unwanted questions about their eating disorder. The survey found that seven in 10 do not think it is possible for calorie labelling on menus to be introduced in a way that does not pose risks to people living with eating disorders. Calorie counts on menus harm people with eating disorders – it's that simple Tom Quinn, Beat Tom Quinn, Beat’s director of external affairs, said: ‘It’s been a year and the results from the Government’s under-researched, arbitrary idea are clear to see. Calorie counts on menus harm people with eating disorders – it’s that simple.