The Lighter Side of Life with Kate Mason: Gutting new addition to the calorific meals menu

Going out for a slap-up meal is one of life’s little luxuries.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Nov 2015, 11:00 BST
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver answers questions in front of the Health Select Committee at the House of Commons, London in the subject of Child Obesity Pic: PA WireCelebrity chef Jamie Oliver answers questions in front of the Health Select Committee at the House of Commons, London in the subject of Child Obesity Pic: PA Wire
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver answers questions in front of the Health Select Committee at the House of Commons, London in the subject of Child Obesity Pic: PA Wire

There’s nothing better than treating yourself to a nice three courser at the end of a hectic week.

It used to be I’d start the weekend off with a clubbing session until 4am but now I’ve hit the big 30 more often than not it’s a meal and a few glasses of wine. Crazy I know.

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On such occasions counting the calories is the last thing on my mind.

It’s one of those scenarios where the waiter asks if you want dessert. You look expectantly round the table at your fellow diners before uttering those fatal words “we’ll just have a look” ... knowing full well you’ll end up ordering one.

So imagine my horror when I went out for a meal recently and there was an unwelcome addition on the menu – the calories!

I reeled in horror as I realised the gourmet burger I had my eye on would cost me practically the entire recommended daily calorie intake.

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And then there was the pulled pork sandwich. I broke out in a cold sweat as I considered how many hours it would take at the gym to burn off the 1,000 plus calories

This crazy new addition is making its way across the pond after new regulations were introduced making it mandatory for chains with more than 20 outlets across the US to post calories on their menus by December 2016.

The gut wrenching move is aimed at slashing obesity levels and making diners more aware of what they are eating.

I get the philosophy behind it but I don’t want to know that there’s 550 calories in my sticky toffee pudding if I have it with custard but 650 if I have it with ice cream - If I want my steamed sponge with ice cream I will not be shamed into changing my mind by the blasted calorie count!

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Eating out is about being naughty and having a cheat day and I for one have had about all I can stomach of this preachy healthy eating stuff.

Take chef Jamie Oliver, who is more than happy to slather everything in goose fat in his cook books, but has suddenly turned into some healthy eating messiah.

I know you’re trying to help with your turkey twizzler banning ways and quest to remove all the best things from the school dinner menu but I’ve had enough of it.

No offence, Jamie (above), but maybe you should practice what you preach. You don’t get a double chin like that by living on salads.