New food labels show how long it would take to 'burn off' that snack

If you knew how long you'd have to run to 'burn off' a chocolate bar, would you stop before snacking? 

This is a concept health experts in the UK want to float in a new food labeling system which shows how much physical activity you need to do to burn off calories contained in certain snack foods.

The Royal Society for Public Health (SPHERE) has suggested packaged treats like chocolate bars, potato chips, frozen pizza and nuts, display the exercise information.

Health food experts call for a new approach to food labeling, after a study shows promise it will make a difference when it comes to healthy food choices.

A standard chocolate bar would take around 22 minutes of running, or 44 minutes of walking to burn off.

The SPHERE says the "activity equivalent" symbols would make nutritional information simpler, more comprehensible, and repeatable to everyone, compared to the current numerical information. 

Their own research found that 63 per cent of people would support this food labeling system, with over half agreeing it would prompt positive changes around portion sizes, healthier choices and increasing exercise. 

However, New Zealand nutrition experts say the idea doesn't help educate people about making good food choices.

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While the labels may provide a visual insight to the consumer, dietitian Sarah Elliot of Food Savvy in Wellington says the system won't do much to battle obesity and could even cause trouble.

   

"I don't think consumers who should, or would, pay attention to food labeling would be motivated by this concept," she explains.

"We work heavily with clients who have eating disorders, and I feel it would be diabolical for them - it would feed in to their guilt when we are already trying to establish emotionally-balanced resolutions for them."

Nutritionist, naturalist and author Cliff Harvey says that we need to consider that labels are already becoming crowded with ineffective health messaging.

"While the calorific value of food versus movement is important, we consider it to be very limited," he says. "Studies show that a 'calorie is a calorie' is not the case, due to the large variability in how calories are used in the body."

Berk Parry, a nutritionist and healthy living enthusiast at Positively Nourished, says the labels may provide clarity and get people moving, but good nutrition is all about the context of food, and the understanding of a good diet being based on real and unprocessed food. 

"I would like to see more education and emphasis on reducing purchase and consumption of packaged foods, not providing potential justifications for having them," she says.

WORKING OFF THE CALORIES: 
* Quarter of large pizza = 449 calories: 1 hour 23 minutes of walking / 43 minutes of running
* Chicken and bacon sandwich = 445 calories: 1 hour 22 minutes of walking / 42 minutes of running
* Dry roasted peanuts (50g) = 296 calories: 54 minutes of walking / 28 minutes of running
* Medium mocha coffee = 290 calories: 53 minutes of walking / 28 minutes of running
* Blueberry muffin = 265 calories: 48 minutes of walking / 25 minutes of running
* Standard chocolate bar = 229 calories: 42 minutes of running / 22 minutes of running
* Packet of chippies = 171 calories: 31 minutes of walking / 16 minutes of running
* Sugary soft drink (330ml can) = 138 calories: 26 minutes of walking / 13 minutes of running