Calories on UK menus: what the numbers mean
If you've eaten at a chain restaurant in England recently, you've probably noticed calorie numbers next to the prices. Here's why they're there and how to make them useful.
Why calories appear on menus
Since 6 April 2022, businesses in England with 250 or more employees that sell food for people to eat straight away must show the calories in each item. That covers most restaurant, café, pub and takeaway chains, both in the restaurant and online.
Menus also have to include the statement that adults need around 2,000 kcal a day. Smaller independent restaurants don't have to show calories, so you'll mostly see them at bigger chains. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules, so menus there may not show them.
How to read the numbers
- The number is per item as served. A burger listed at 650 kcal usually means the burger alone, not the fries and drink.
- Look for "per portion" or "per serving". Sharing platters are sometimes given for the whole dish, so divide by the number of people sharing.
- Drinks count. A large milkshake or a sugary soft drink can add 300 kcal or more. Alcohol counts too: a pint of 4% beer is roughly 180 to 200 kcal.
- Sides and sauces add up. Dips, dressings and extra cheese are often listed separately.
Putting it in context
The NHS guide figures are about 2,000 kcal a day for women and 2,500 kcal for men. Your own needs depend on your size, age and how active you are, which you can estimate with our calorie calculator.
A common rule of thumb is around 400 kcal for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner, with room left for drinks and snacks. A single restaurant meal of 1,200 kcal isn't a problem on its own, but it's useful to know when you're deciding between dishes.
Easy swaps that don't feel like dieting
- Share a side instead of having one each.
- Choose a regular drink over a large, or switch to a sugar-free version.
- Ask for sauces and dressings on the side.
- Pick grilled over fried when the dish is otherwise the same.
- Check the menu before you go, when you're not hungry and rushed.
On EZ Menus, menu pages show calories wherever the restaurant publishes them, so you can compare dishes before you order.