Calories on Every Menu? Why I'm Not Convinced

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1. 01Calories on Every Menu?

   Good afternoon. I own a small Italian restaurant in Melbourne, and I also have a daughter who once struggled with an eating disorder. So this topic is personal for me. Today, I'll explain why I'm not convinced that every menu should show calories.

   下午好。我在墨尔本经营一家小小的意大利餐厅，我还有一个女儿，她曾经饱受饮食障碍的困扰。所以这个话题对我来说是切身相关的。今天，我会解释为什么我并不认同每份菜单都应该标注卡路里。

2. 02What Other Countries Require

   First, let's be clear about the facts. The United States requires calorie labels in chains with twenty or more locations, and England requires them in businesses with two hundred and fifty or more employees. Neither country forces them on every small restaurant.

   首先，我们先把事实说清楚。美国要求拥有二十家或以上门店的连锁餐厅标注卡路里，英格兰要求拥有二百五十名或以上员工的企业标注。两个国家都没有强制要求所有小餐厅这样做。

   Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "Menu Labeling Requirements"; The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021

3. 03Concern 1: People With Eating Disorders

   My first concern is for people with eating disorders. For my daughter, seeing numbers on every menu would have made eating out much more stressful. A meal with friends could turn into a math problem.

   我的第一个担忧是为了有饮食障碍的人。对我女儿来说，如果每份菜单上都有数字，外出吃饭会变得压力大得多。和朋友吃一顿饭，可能会变成一道数学题。

4. 04Concern 2: One Number Isn't Health

   Second, calories don't tell the whole story. Nuts are high in calories, for example, but they're also full of good nutrients. Focusing on one number may push people toward choices that look light but aren't nutritious.

   第二，卡路里并不能说明全部。比如，坚果的卡路里很高，但它们也富含有益的营养。只关注一个数字，可能会让人们选择那些看起来清淡、但并没有营养的食物。

5. 05Concern 3: The Cost for Small Kitchens

   Third, cost. My chef changes the menu every week based on what's fresh. Calculating calories for every new dish takes time and money that small restaurants often don't have.

   第三，是成本。我们的厨师每周都会根据新鲜的食材更换菜单。为每道新菜计算卡路里需要时间和金钱，而小餐厅往往两样都缺。

6. 06Where I Agree

   To be fair, I agree that people should be able to find this information. Many customers want it, and I respect that. My question is how we share it, not whether we share it.

   公平地说，我同意人们应该能够找到这些信息。很多顾客想要这些信息，我也尊重这一点。我的问题在于我们怎样提供它，而不是要不要提供它。

7. 07A Better Way

   Here's my alternative. Restaurants could offer a separate menu with calorie information, or give it to anyone who asks. That way, people who want the numbers can see them, and people who are hurt by them can avoid them.

   这是我的替代方案。餐厅可以准备一份单独的、附有卡路里信息的菜单，或者向任何询问的人提供这些信息。这样，想看数字的人可以看到，而会因数字受到伤害的人也可以避开。

8. 08Conclusion

   In conclusion, calorie information should be available, but not forced onto every menu. Let's give customers a choice, including the choice not to look. Thank you.

   总之，卡路里信息应该能够获取，但不应该强制印在每份菜单上。让我们给顾客选择的权利，包括选择不看的权利。谢谢大家。