Former Fat Families host Steve Miller wants information on calories to be made compulsory on menus across the UK.
It comes after a study found putting calories on food menus could prevent more than 9,000 deaths in England.
But according to Miller, making the information more accessible would be a “useful tool” in the battle against obesity in Britain, which he believes is spiralling out of control.
“We’re talking about putting in very small characters on a menu how many calories are in a dish to help people manage their weight”, he said on GB News.
Steve Miller wants calories on menus
GB NEWS / GETTY
“I think that is very constructive. In the UK, we are gargantuan gannets and we do need to stop, look and listen a little bit more.
“On a menu, just having the calories there to give us guidance, I think we’re being drama queens if we think that will cause eating disorders.
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The matter was debated on GB News
GB NEWS
“Obesity is an eating disorder and with 25 per cent of the population now very fat, maybe we need these sorts of measures.
“We need to be more in people’s faces about these things.”
Under a flagship initiative, the Government forced large restaurants across England to label every meal with its calorie count to clamp down on obesity in April 2022.
Businesses that fail to comply face fines of £2,500.
Now there are calls to expand the initiative and include smaller restaurants in the scheme after the study found potentially significant benefits.
Miller was joined on GB News by mental health ambassador Samantha Crilly, who is concerned such a move could have crippling effects and promote food disorders.
“They’ve tried to tackle one issue and not tackled the other”, he said.
“People with anorexia are trying to get away from calories, to have it shoved in their face is difficult for them.
“One option would be to have a menu with calories and one without.
“I do think for people with food disorders, it is the worst thing they could have done.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
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