Over the last few years we have acclimated to seeing calories next to our favorite food items. At first it seemed to deter some people, but eventually you just shrugged it off and ate it because you wanted that personal-size Uno pizza that is like a 1,400 calories. (Not me, because I just can't, but I know there are people out there that do.)
So if this doesn't deter people like everyone hoped, what's next? Displaying how much exercise would be required to burn it off. A new study tested this idea and found that when restaurant menus listed the amount of brisk walking required to work off each dish diners we less likely to overeat.
Personally, I don't like to think about what is required to burn it off after I eat. I think that just makes eating less enjoyable and more guilt ridden. Yes, there are times when I over indulge and think "I am so going to need to run an extra mile tomorrow," or I might switch a yoga day for something more intense, but I don't like to think about it until after I am completely satisfied with myself.
I know I am a rare breed who enjoys exercising for the endorphins I feel during and after, but come on no one is going to learn to enjoy a healthy lifestyle if we keep making it a chore or a punishment.
You have to separate the guilt from eating. That is the only way you overcome food demons or avoid creating new ones.