Why Food Labels That Specify How Much Exercise It Takes to Burn Calories Are a Bad Idea

Why Food Labels That Specify How Much Exercise It Takes to Burn Calories Are a Bad Idea A new study found that adding physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labels to food helped reduce the amount of calories people consumed. Researchers looked at data from 15 other studies and found that having PACE labels led to eating 65 fewer calories per meal. The intention behind PACE labeling is that it could give people a more concrete understanding of calories. But a low-calorie choice does not necessarily mean a healthier choice. Deciding whether a food is 'worth it' isn't just a matter of counting calories. There are plenty of factors that determine how much time it takes to burn a set number of calories, and they vary from person to person. An obsession with calories can also take the joy out of eating and in many cases leads to disordered eating. The benefits of exercise go beyond just calories burned, and should not be used as a punishment for eating something that contains calories.