Calorie counts 'rarely influence' takeway choices

CALORIE labelling almost never affects which tempting takeaways we choose and are unlikely to make us eat more healthily, researchers say.

- By Josie Clarke

The majority of 1,040 adults in England — 77% — did not notice any calorie information during their most recent online buy. And of those who did, 71% said it had no bearing on their food choices.

Instead, they ranked taste and price most important, with healthiness and low carbon footprint least.

Current guidance says adults should have about 2,000 calories a day and a main meal should contain around 600.

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Eating out-of-home food, including takeaways, has frequently been linked to higher energy intake and poorer diet quality.