Nutrition on the menu across the UK
9 April 2009
Eating a wide and varied diet that is low in saturated fat and has plenty of fruit and vegetables is also important. 
Dr Annabel Bentley, Assistant Medical Director, Bupa
Eighteen large catering companies and restaurants are to include calorie information on their menus from the end of April, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The list of participants includes high street names, in-store cafes and catering companies who provide food for a number of large company canteens. The FSA estimates that by June, more than 450 food outlets will have the calorie content of their foods on display.
Each of the companies involved in the scheme has agreed to display the calorie information for most food and drink they serve on menu boards, paper menus or on the edge of shelves. They will also ensure the information is clear and easily visible at the point where people choose their food.
The participating companies, along with a further 14 caterers and restaurants, have also signed a health commitment with the FSA to help customers make healthier food choices. The FSA estimate that this could positively influence up to 50 million customers each week.
The health commitments and the inclusion of calorie information on menus is a part of the Government's obesity strategy 'Healthy weight, healthy lives'.
However, Dr Annabel Bentley, Assistant Medical Director at Bupa cautions: "Giving people calorie information is just one part of helping them to choose a healthier lifestyle. Eating a wide and varied diet that is low in saturated fat and has plenty of fruit and vegetables is also important."
In England, one in four adults is obese, approximately twice as many as in 1993. Over 60 percent of the population in England is either overweight or obese.
Being overweight increases your risk of developing health problems such as heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some types of cancer. Excess weight also makes arthritis more likely and can make breathing and sleeping difficult.
The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have health problems.
| Companies who are including calorie information: |
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Related information
- Healthy eating - health factsheet
- Healthy weight for adults - health factsheet
- Obesity in children - health factsheet
- BMI calculator - health factsheet
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