NUTRITION

Sticker Shock

New York City officials begin enforcing a new rule requiring restaurants to post calorie counts, and some New Yorkers find the news hard to digest.

By Susanna Schrobsdorff | Newsweek Web Exclusive

May 8, 2008 | Updated: 11:42 a.m. ET May 8, 2008

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Discuss

Posted By: sandrinemonique @ 05/15/2008 2:34:59 AM

Comment: I think its a great idea!! I like to be able to make informed choces about what I choose to eat. This will force restaurants to offer a variety of low-calorie/low fat foods. i am much more likely to choose a restaurant that gives me this optoin then one that doesn't. I think, however, that it is important to also list the average daily calorie intake necessary as many people don't really know what they should be eating in terms of calories per day.
Posted By: sandrinemonique @ 05/15/2008 2:31:25 AM

Comment: I think its great to put the calorie counts on the menu as it allows people to make informed choices about that they eat. I tend to choose restaurants that provide nutrtitional information over those that don't. But, if this is going to be the new trend I think it would be helpful for people to know what an average daily intake should be. Perhaps this should be listed as well...otherwise people just look at those calories without knowing what it really means.
Posted By: skinnyminny2 @ 05/13/2008 8:44:10 AM

Comment: One CAN eat out and be careful, and often there ARE healthy options. I do this all the time. It's called a large vegetable salad, water and an apple (or other fresh fruit). 250-300 calories, tops. I feel satisfied and in control.
Starbuck doesn't need to equatehigh-calorie coffees. There's a sugar-free, non fat latte. Subway has a 250 calorie veggie sub. The point is that whereever you go, you can make the choice. It's not that hard.
Posted By: DodgerFan @ 05/12/2008 4:15:51 PM

Comment: The New York law is a good start, but it remains to be seen if this results in a statistically significant improvement in weight management. In order for this to happen, people need to be convinced that there are actaully very few healthy options when it comes to eating out, and people need to face the harsh reality that real sacrifices must be made in order to achieve a better dietary outcome.

Although not perfect, the USDA food pyramid does provide a workable concept that should be fairly effective for most people. And looking at the cold, hard numbers (2600 calories per day for a 6-0 180-lb male getting less than 30 minutes vigorous exercise per day, 1800 calories per day for a 5-4 125-lb female), there is no realistic scenario in which a person can eat out more than two or three times a week and stay within the caloric guidelines. Unless they practically starve themselves once they get home. But then they run the risk of deficiencies of important nutrients that are probably missing from the fast food or restaurant meal.

Eating out, including Starbucks, should be regarded as an occasional treat, maybe twice a week or so, at the most. Anything more than that makes it very difficult to stay within a reasonable calorie budget. Until people come to accept this, our nation's weight problem will probably continue unabated. We probably need to see a huge return of the good ol' brown bag lunch. But how can the brown bag lunch compete with burgers, tacos, pizzas, and all the other delicious choices offered by the fast food industry? No contest, the fast food will win every time. Which doesn't bode well for our nation's health.
Posted By: sandikaye1369 @ 05/12/2008 1:13:38 PM

Comment: I think it is an awesome idea/law that needs to go in to effect nationwide for anyone that serves food or beverage. I am pretty active myself (resistance and cariod training no less that 3 times a week) and I really do my best to make the best possible choices. I have said on many occasion when out at a restaurant that it would be so nice if the nutritional content ( if nothing else the calorie count) was listed on the menu. People can definately make better choices if they are properly informed. When I know ahead of time that I will be going out for a meal I make great use of the restaurant websites and i choose what I will eat according to the nutritional content listed. we are not always in a situation where we can get on the internet and look these things up, however. so to recap~ it would be a very good idea to make the nutritional content/calorie counts readily available to those of us that truly care about our health, the people that don't care will continue to overlook the information but i think in the long run we would definately see a change in the waiste line of America.
Posted By: skinnyminny2 @ 05/11/2008 12:20:58 PM

Comment: Yes I'm an athlete. Long distance runner so the lighter I am the better it is for me (50-60 miles/week). I don't feel unhealthy, I never get tired or fatigue and can fit anywhere. My resting heart rate ranges from the 40s to the 50s depending on stress level.
Posted By: skinnyminny2 @ 05/09/2008 4:53:34 PM

Comment: Most people are in denial as to how many calories are in their convenience foods. They simply don't want to hear it. In order to be skinny, one needs to overestimate the calories in something, not underestimate. Never, ever drink sugared bevereages. Never eat anything with a cream sauce. Never eat anything fried. If it's dense and has sugar in it, it's bad (like that 610 calorie cookie!). I follow this religiously and am 112 lb at 5'8". That cheeseburger or cookie is NOT worth it, I'll take the vegetable salad with a viniagrette thank you very much.
- Posted By: tri-gal6 @ 05/10/2008 23:02:03
  
  Comment: I agree that most people do not realize the enormous amount of calories in many restaurant and convenience foods. However, people cannot just be told to stop eating things that are bad for them. They must learn to make good choices, and learn what those choices are. You did suggest some notoriously bad items to skip(especially sugary items), but not everyone can avoid temptation at all times. It is more important to focus on portion control while learning what is healthy and what is not and to encourage activity for an overall more healthy lifestyle.
  
  Also, while I applaud your strong will power, I must point out that you technically fall in the category of underweight, which puts your health at many of the same risks as those who are overweight or obese. As I mentioned before, it is important to stress to our population (especially children) that the main focus should not be on what size/how skinny you are, but that you are active, make healthy food choices and make a conscious effort to maintain your "healthy weight" as suggested by BMI calculators. (Unless of course you are a serious athlete and therefore have substantial muscle mass, or are at the extremes of height. Don't even get me started on how inaccurate the calculators are in those cases!)
  
  For the record, I am a 5'9" female who weighs 158 pounds and runs triathlons. I eat a balanced diet, avoid foods/drinks with more than 10g of sugar, make good choices when I eat out, consider myself in excellent shape, but sometimes still need A cookie or ONE (or two) slices of pizza now and then.