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.

   午安。我在墨爾本經營一家小小的義大利餐廳，我還有一個女兒，她曾經飽受飲食障礙的困擾。所以這個話題對我來說是切身相關的。今天，我會解釋為什麼我並不認同每份選單都應該標註卡路里。

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，我們先把事實說清楚。美國要求擁有二十家或以上門店的連鎖餐廳標註卡路里，英格蘭要求擁有二百五十名或以上員工的企業標註。兩個國家都沒有強制要求所有小餐廳這樣做。

   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.

   我的第一個擔憂是為了有飲食障礙的人。對我女兒來說，如果每份選單上都有數字，外出吃飯會變得壓力大得多。和朋友吃一頓飯，可能會變成一道數學題。

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，卡路里並不能說明全部。比如，堅果的卡路里很高，但它們也富含有益的營養。只關注一個數字，可能會讓人們選擇那些看起來清淡、但並沒有營養的食物。

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。我們的廚師每週都會根據新鮮的食材更換選單。為每道新菜計算卡路里需要時間和金錢，而小餐廳往往兩樣都缺。

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.

   公平地說，我同意人們應該能夠找到這些資訊。很多顧客想要這些資訊，我也尊重這一點。我的問題在於我們怎樣提供它，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.

   這是我的替代方案。餐廳可以準備一份單獨的、附有卡路里資訊的選單，或者向任何詢問的人提供這些資訊。這樣，想看數字的人可以看到，而會因數字受到傷害的人也可以避開。

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.

   總之，卡路里資訊應該能夠獲取，但不應該強制印在每份選單上。讓我們給顧客選擇的權利，包括選擇不看的權利。謝謝大家。