Are calories on menus doing more harm than good?

When you go to a restaurant, you may well be presented with a wide array of dishes, each printed on a menu alongside its calorie content. A chicken burger and fries may come to 1597 kilocalories. Swap the meat for a plant-based substitute, and it could rise to 1746 kcal. Opting for the vegan bacon ketchup adds another 300 kcal.

Since 2022, these calorie labels have been compulsory for any restaurant, café or takeaway chain in England with more than…