Should Restaurants Put Calorie Counts On Their Menus?

Caitlyn Davey • July 8, 2025

There have been calls from the public to include calorie counts on menus for meals. But is this a good idea? It could mean more information for people to make educated decisions, but the ramifications on mental health could do far more harm than good according to James and Sean, Rebuild’s in-house nutritionists.Yes it could be helpful to those looking to make an educated decision on eating out, but going out for a meal is about more than calorie counting. James says, “It would make sense if everyone had the same mindset (in terms of eating better) then it could give people a little bit of guidance to what they are eating, therefore make people more mindful about their choices.” However, the pros seem to be outnumbered by the cons. Calorie counts and macros breakdown on menus could psychologically affect a vast number of people – those with eating disorders, those already struggling with health complications and those who’re overweight or underweight. Along with this, it’s also worth considering how some people may not be comfortable having the calories in their meals be a focal point of a meal with friends or family.“When you go to a restaurant, you go there because you want to enjoy your time with the person you're with or the group of people you're with as well as eat really good tasting food. Say you're already struggling with your own body image and you go to dinner with a bunch of people, and then you order something from the menu that's higher in calories than everyone else's, everyone then knows what you're eating, and even if they're not, you're going to feel that a little bit more judged,” says Sean. Coming from two coaches with plenty of nutritional and fitness related experience, they say food is more than just its calories.“Food is more than just a number, food is emotional, it is social. With food, like, 'I emotionally eat,' and well maybe this isn't sometimes a bad thing, at the same time, food is a wonderful thing. It's time where we can go and connect”, James adds. The duo also agree on how, despite being coaches who give a lot of value to calories - since they decide how we lose and gain weight, there is still a time and place for this.In the segment, Sean then delves a bit into why sometimes, it’s okay to not focus strictly on what to eat and what not to eat. He says, “If you're at a point where you're deciding if one meal is better than the other, then you're probably missing the bigger picture, one meal is not going to make you fatter or unhealthier, we're going to take the bigger picture approach.”“If you go to a restaurant and you're tossing up between one or two meals, but on the other side of that, you can have a really good time with your friends and family, then in my opinion, doesn't really matter what you choose, because we can do other things outside of that to either negate any possible negative effects from that meal,' he adds. As long as you’re working towards becoming healthier, you can always adjust your subsequent days or weeks to lose those calories, it’s those moments however, you shouldn’t lose out on. 

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July 22, 2025
If you live in Wynnum or Capalaba , chances are you’ve seen a bootcamp in action — high-intensity sessions in parks, with lots of burpees, sprints, and shouting. While bootcamps can be a fun way to get sweaty, there’s a reason more people are choosing structured strength training instead. At Rebuild, we often meet people who’ve jumped from one bootcamp to another, chasing results they never quite achieve, or can’t maintain. Here’s why strength training, not bootcamp-style fitness, is the smarter long-term approach for your health and body. 1. Progress Over Punishment Bootcamps often focus on burning calories and pushing people to their limits every session. It feels intense — but it’s usually random. There’s no plan beyond “go hard”. Strength training is different. It’s measured, progressive, and adaptable . Whether you’re lifting a barbell or doing bodyweight movements, the goal is to build skill, strength, and confidence over time. You're not punished for where you're at — you're coached toward where you want to be. 2. Stronger Muscles = Better Results Cardio-heavy bootcamps might help you lose weight quickly, but they rarely help you build muscle, and muscle is the key to long-term fat loss, strength, and mobility . When you train with resistance (weights, bands, or bodyweight), your body becomes more efficient. You burn more calories at rest, move better, and feel more capable in everyday life. And unlike bootcamps, strength training actually preserves lean mass while you're in a calorie deficit — which matters if your goal is body composition, not just weight loss. 3. Individual Coaching Matters Most bootcamps have one instructor yelling instructions to a big group. There’s rarely time to check your technique, let alone adjust for injuries, experience, or confidence levels. At Rebuild, our group sessions are coach-led and purpose-built . We take time to teach proper form, scale movements to your ability, and track your progress. You're not just surviving a workout — you’re learning how to move better and train smarter. 4. It’s Not Just About Today’s Workout Bootcamps often lack structure. You show up, do something exhausting, and leave. There’s no continuity or long-term planning. Strength training follows a programmed approach , meaning each week builds on the last. You’ll have sessions designed to improve specific movements and outcomes — whether that’s lifting more weight, increasing core strength, or mastering your first pull-up. That structure keeps you consistent, motivated, and injury-free. 5. Sustainability Over Shock Tactics If you’re tired of the “go hard or go home” mentality, strength training is for you. It’s adaptable to all ages, bodies, and goals . You’ll get fitter, stronger, and more confident — without burning out or breaking down. Ready to train with purpose? If you're looking for something better than a bootcamp in Wynnum or Capalaba , join us at Rebuild. We coach real people — not fitness models — to get real results. 📍 Structured training 📍 Expert coaches 📍 Community that has your back You don’t need to be fit to start. You just need to start.
July 22, 2025
A lot of people have completed a marathon but how many people have collapsed at 40km?

Sometimes you do everything right, and shit still doesn’t go to plan.
 Last weekend I ran in the Gold Coast Marathon, my first ever marathon. I trained properly, my body felt relatively good (all things considered when preparing to run 42.2km), I carb-loaded, and my race day nutrition was dialled in.
 I was ready.
 We set off. Jess and the kids met me at different points on the course with signs, the atmosphere was great. I loved seeing the kids with their signs. Pacing felt on point. The first 21km? Easy. I felt great. Maybe I should’ve drunk more water, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
 At 25km, I felt slower, but pace wise I was still holding well. I’d kept telling myself throughout the day "The race starts at 30km." And let me tell you, it does.
 By 30km, the sun was out, and I was starting to struggle. My watch started glitching so I had no real idea of my splits. I thought I was slowing down a lot (turns out I wasn’t), but the effort to keep the same pace suddenly felt 10x harder.
 I hadn’t taken on enough water. Usually, I can get away with lower fluids. Not this time. Dehydration crept in. hard.
 At 35km I was in survival mode, one foot in front of the other, flicking between moments of pain and little short lived waves of “let’s go.” But by 39km I was delirious. I could see the finish line, I hit the 40km mark (where I thought enjoyment might return to finish), and I collapsed.
 I was gone. Scary stuff.
 The last few hundred metres were a complete blur. All I remember is the crowd, the medics, and about five paramedics suddenly around me. I was vomiting, shaking, confused, in and out of it. I had this overwhelming, indescribable feeling, and honestly, for a moment, I thought I could die.
 My memory went. I couldn’t recall the day, the year, where I lived, or how to spell. I only knew who Jess and the kids were, and that I didn’t want them to see me with wires in me. 
 My temperature had hit 40°C. Blood pressure crashed. Thankfully, the medics and paramedics were incredible, I had a drip running into me within 10 to 15 minutes.
 As I already knew, I’m stubborn. I wanted to run it all. Not walk. Not stop and breathe and In hindsight, I should have. 
 Seems like my mind was just a bit stronger than my body on the day. I never thought I could push myself there in all honesty. 

Am I gutted? Of course, I was only 2km away but I gave it everything I had on that day. Heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration got me. 

I am always reminded here of the quote ‘The man in the arena’ look it up if you need. 
 Will I run 42.2km again? Yes, I feel I need to. 

Would I do things differently, now I’ve run 40km under race conditions? You bet, lessons learnt. Always lessons. Never be scared to not succeed. Be scared to never try in the first place. 
 We go again.
By Caitlyn Davey July 8, 2025
You Need To Earn The Right To Be Good At Something
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