Kilojoules on the menu

An illustration of a burger meal deal showing a burger, can of soft drink and fries - 4960kj in total

This includes fast food or chain restaurants that sell things like burgers, pizza, fried chicken, pasta, sushi and noodles. It also applies to drink, café and bakery chains.

From 1 May 2018, large Victorian fast food and supermarket chains are required to display the kilojoule content of ready-to-eat food and drinks on their menus and food tags. They will also need to show the average adult daily energy intake, which is 8,700kJ.

The average fast food meal may contain over half the kilojoules needed for the day. You may be eating far too many kilojoules without realising it. Kilojoule labelling will make it easier for you to make healthier food choices when eating out and taking away food and drinks.

This includes fast food or chain restaurants that sell things like burgers, pizza, fried chicken, pasta, sushi and noodles. It also applies to drink, café and bakery chains.

Kilojoules on the menu

How many kilojoules have you had today?

Kilojoule labelling is now on the menu of large food chain businesses – both in-store and online. A kilojoule (like a calorie) is a measure of energy in food. On average, people eat and drink around 8700 kilojoules a day, however we're all different.

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Kilojoules on the menu (45 seconds)

How many kilojoules have you had today? Kilojoules are the metric equivalent of calories.

On average people eat and drink around eight thousand seven hundred kilojoules a day.

To help you out, we’ve put kilojoules on the menu.

One take-away meal could contain around 5000 kilojoules, which is over half your daily intake. It doesn’t leave much for the rest of the day!

Large chain food outlets must now display the kilojoules of ready-to-eat food and drinks on menus and food tags.

It all adds up, so look for kilojoules on the menu and check before you choose.

Check before you choose

Learn more about weight management and healthy eating

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Men's nutrition needs

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Food labels

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Energy in food (kilojoules and calories)

In Australia, we use kilojoules (kJ) to measure how much energy people get from consuming a food or drink. A kilojoule is a unit of measure of energy, in the same way that kilometres measure distance. Food energy used to be measured in Calories (Cal) and some countries still use those units.

Body mass index (BMI)

It is normal for your body to store energy as fat. However, too much or too little body fat can increase your risk of illness and disease, depending on where your body stores it.

Body mass index calculator for adults

Body Mass Index is used to estimate your total amount of fat. It is only an approximate measure of the best weight for your health. This calculator is designed for men and women over the age of 18.

Weight loss - a healthy approach

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet and being physically active is the best way to stay healthy and help reduce your risk of disease. To maintain a stable weight, your energy (kilojoule) intake needs to equal the energy you use.

Weight loss and fad diets

You may be looking for a fast way to lose weight and there's no shortage of 'fad diets' around. These 'diets' may provide short-term results, but they are difficult to sustain and, ultimately, they deprive you of the essential nutrients that only balanced eating can offer.

Body mass index calculator for children and teenagers

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Growth charts for children

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Growth and development - primary school children

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Growth and weight changes in teenagers

The end of a growth spurt may trigger a drop in appetite, so don't immediately assume that your child is trying to lose weight.

Overweight children - healthy lifestyle tips

You can help your child to develop healthy patterns for life and avoid obesity.

Body image and diets

Some people diet because they have a poor body image, not because they want to be a healthy weight.

Food and your life stages

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How to eat healthily

A good balance between exercise and food intake is important to maintain a healthy body weight.

Food labels

Food labels carry useful information to help you make good choices about food.

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Healthy eating – what to put on your plate

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Cholesterol - healthy eating tips

Replacing foods that contain saturated fats with foods that contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats will help to lower your cholesterol.

Eating tips for babies

First foods for babies can be prepared easily and cheaply at home without salt, seasonings and sweeteners.

Eating tips for preschoolers

Children are able to decide how much food they need for activity and growth if allowed to eat according to their appetite.

Eating tips for school children

Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children, so offer nutritious as well as high energy snacks.

Healthy eating – school lunches

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