My name is Christina and last December was the first time I was able to eat a meal in a restaurant with my family following my 22y battle with an eating disorder.

Today, the UK Government announced its strategy to combat obesity by making it a legal requirement to label calories on menus in most large restaurants. This is a devastating move for the 1.4 million people in the UK who have an eating disorder and their loved ones. 

Eating disorders are often about numbers, calories and restriction. While there is some limited benefit in giving people an awareness of what they are eating in some circumstances, this move makes eating out socially difficult and distressing for many eating disorder sufferers. It is an integral part of recovery for sufferers to try to return to 'normal' eating & eat out socially. Having calories labelled with no alternative means that I, and many others, will struggle to eat in restaurants with their loved ones and is a backwards step in recovery for many who have struggled to retrain their focus away from exact calories. 

I would like to ask the UK Government to consider alternative options to consider those with additional support needs around food, such as the use of QR codes or having separate pull outs or alternative format menus. I would like them to consult with BEAT and other eating disorder experts to come up with a solution that both helps to fit in with their strategy to combat obesity and also considers the needs of those with eating disorders.