I think this is a GREAT idea. I used to work at a chain coffee shop and it was hard to resist telling healthy-looking people just how bad their daily drink was -- because they probably had no idea (not that I did, but I wanted to!)
General rule of thumb at coffee shops: if you want to keep your calories in check, the following are your ONLY options - coffee (with or without skim/2% milk), tea, a skim latte, a skim cappuccino, an americano, or straight espresso. Of course, any sugar-free flavor shots are guilt-free.
And that's all, folks. No mochas. No smoothies. No fancy blended drinks (Frappuccino Light is OK, but stick with a grande or tall). Even if you order your white mocha with skim and no whip, it still has enough calories to be considered an indulgent treat, not breakfast. As far as bakery items, the only thing typically under 200 calories is biscotti. I was shocked when I found out just how bad this stuff was...but hey, it makes deciding what to order easier.
Full Disclosure
Would a national law requiring calorie counts on chain restaurant menus help curb the obesity epidemic, or would we stay in 'Dining Denial'?
Member Comments
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Posted By: kheila @ 11/24/2008 12:39:41 AM
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Posted By: AnAverageAmerican @ 11/21/2008 4:43:47 PM
Instead of putting calories on the menu, restaurants should be required to supply all ingredients, as well as where the food comes from. People are fat because they our consuming large volumes of processed, chemically laden food. Also, the nutritional information on packages coincides with the rise in obesity, so what proof do they have that listing the calories really work. Apparently it does not.
This nonsense is just a way to make restaurants responsible for something the consumer should be responsible for. Every time there is an ???epidemic??? it becomes the job of business owners to babysit consumers.
Eat whole food and exercise, the formula hasn't changed for being healthy. -
Posted By: JC23 @ 11/20/2008 5:06:16 PM
To realistically minded's comment, let me say this...... "You are what you eat." Nutrition 80% Exercise 20%
Although working out has its undeniable health benefits, eating a healthy diet and not exceeding your necessary caloric requirements plays the biggest role in fat loss, muscle gain, and everything in between. See your local gym treadmill or elliptical machine for an example of people who think just working out (mainly cardio) and not changing their eating habits will attribute to fat loss.
To expand on the article, the people who choose to ignore the nutritional facts provided at these restaurants either A) don't have a weight problem and don???t care about their health or B) Have a weight problem and just don???t care that they are fat. While adding these facts to menus wont bring an end to obesity, the epidemic in America is largely attributed to consuming more calories than needed to maintain your weight coupled with the ever increasing lack of exercise.
Im sure myself ,and other health conscious individuals, are looking forward to seeing nutritional facts at chain restaurants. For the percentage of the population that want to turn a blind eye and continue to expand their waistline, there are a lot of us who want to do the opposite and now we have better knowledge and can easily spot the healthiest options when we eat out at any of these chains. . -
Posted By: realistically.minded @ 11/20/2008 12:00:00 PM
what's also interesting to consider is that folks in the USA not only have a problem with consumption but also with a lack of exercise. it'd be interesting to consider where the dollars spent would be more effective -- in posting caloric information at each eatery across the country or in a nationwide wellness program that reinforces the importance of exercise and daily movement. don't get me wrong-- eating healthfully is amazing, can make you feel so good, can change your life, etc. but it's only part of the solution. exercise is part 2.
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Posted By: Always_Jada @ 11/17/2008 12:39:58 AM
You have got to be kidding me?!!! Are people so out of touch about what they shove in their mouths that we need the government to mandate calories on menus. The government has better things to do than worry about how much calories are in french fries. We all know everything is in moderation is best.
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Posted By: Mesothelin @ 11/16/2008 11:34:23 AM
@ Skinny
Hi, Don't you think that more information easily available is better than no information at all? I like it when I can make my own decisions and it helps when I don't have to pull out by calorie count book at the store.-
Posted By: skinnyminny2 @ 11/20/2008 1:58:43 AM
Of course some info is better than none. But there's an easier way without having to refer to a guide (which, sadly, I have memorized).
An easy rule is that suff loaded with cheese, cream sauces, fried foods and oil dressings are bad. A hamburger alone is not 'bad', but add cheese, some weird creamy sauce, fries and that jacks up the fat and calories big time.
I stick with salads, lean protein, viniagrette dressings and steamed or fresh vegetables. But to each their own--it's just not that hard to figure is all--not as complicated as it seems.
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Posted By: Mesothelin @ 11/16/2008 11:31:30 AM
@ MICKEY
Hi, No one is saying you can't buy/eat it. Just buy/eat it if you want to. I personally love the idea! What better way to keep your diet on track than having the information in front of you! No excuses then. :) -
Posted By: MICKYmouse @ 11/16/2008 2:23:35 AM
welcome to communist america where you are not free to eat as you like.
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Posted By: skinnyminny2 @ 11/15/2008 4:30:57 PM
This will not fix anything because obesity is caused my more than the variable of eating out. It's also a combination of lack of activity, lack of meal planning, etc.
We didn't evolve sitting at a desk with a convenience store or supermarket on every block, so of course the body responds by getting fat to the inactivity and sugary, high fat conveneince food.
I suppose it's a good idea but honestly, people are dumb. If they don't think that big mac and fries might have close to 1,000 calories they're just stupid. -
Posted By: rif242242 @ 11/15/2008 2:11:40 AM
yah brien tell that to people in Ethiopia. im sure it will reduce famine. it's easy to say when you have so much around you. oh how so much you sound like marie antionette when she said "let them eat cake" . but please go tell people in ethiopia and kenya "let them eat soy"
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Posted By: Brien Comerford @ 11/14/2008 8:28:30 PM
I do know that a national law mandating vegetarianism would reduce global warming, environmental crises, famine, deforestation, obesity and cruelty against animals.
Brien Comerford -
Posted By: Hipoint @ 11/14/2008 7:05:03 PM
This info is posted on the Resaturant's website in 9 out of 10 cases. If you REALLY want to know the calorie count.... You'll find it !
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Posted By: rif242242 @ 11/14/2008 5:11:27 PM
I believe that it should be a law to show the caloric value of every meal. I strive to keep a 2,000 calorie diet, and it's near impossible to do without some kind of guide, because you can't hit a restaurants website while you're trying to order. The proportions of the meals offered at most fast food restaraunts are absurd and if people can see the calories in each meal it gives them a tool to keep a healthy diet. It definately makes people more concious of the decisions they're making. If you want to eat a triple cheeseburger despite knowing it contains 1,500 calories more power to you. If this even saves one life why shouldn't it be there?
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Posted By: Laurah614 @ 11/14/2008 4:57:46 PM
I think if they made food more expensive depending on the calorie count THAT would have a more significant impact!
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Posted By: kshortSD @ 11/14/2008 4:47:26 PM
The ideal scenario, in my opinion, is to have nutrititional information available to those who want it. Personally, I've gotten in the habit of checking restaurants' websites before I go so I have time to figure out the healthiest option ahead of time. However, I would rather not see calorie counts posted on EVERYTHING. Sometimes I don't want to know. :)
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Posted By: JoanR @ 11/14/2008 4:46:39 PM
Not only should there be a calorie indicator on all restaurant food, but we need legislation criminalizing caloric intake beyond prescribed levels and a federal department employing 30 million inspectors to enforce it.As it turns out, there will be a lot of job seekers now that we are in an Obama market. I always knew I could get with the liberal swing of things if I really tried.
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Posted By: wiseowl2 @ 11/14/2008 3:22:31 PM
You know there are somethings I know isn't good for me. I just leave that alone. When I eat a hamburger I want a good hamburger not imitation etc. If I need to count calories, I probably don't need it. We need to help small business in stead of putting most work on them
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Posted By: kshortSD @ 11/14/2008 4:50:37 PM
You're right about that. People know that a burger and fries is not healthy. It's pretty much common knowledge that if you want to order something healthy at a restaurant, you order grilled chicken or fish with veggies. But it is nice to know the calorie counts of certain mystery items like baked goods at Starbucks, in my opinion. I always check the calorie counts because, for example, a simple sandwich at Starbucks could have 600 calories, while they also offer a turkey sandwich that's under 200 calories.
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Posted By: HummingbirdCyborg @ 11/15/2008 1:18:52 PM
We have a basic idea of what's healthy and what's not. Few people are unaware that vegetables with their high fiber and nutrients and often fewer calories per mass are more healthy, but most people just don't realize exactly HOW terrible for you that some fast food is.
The idea behind this is to empower the consumer when it comes to what they are putting into their body.
If we didn't have a terrible, terrible obesity epidemic that costs our healthcare system billions of dollars every year, I might be able to buy the protecting small business argument, but most of these laws only target large chains that can afford the costs easily.
Of course, in the end, if people want to be serious about nutrition, they need to learn more about nutrition and to learn to cook. I swear that I can make food that anybody would rather eat than anything that you can get at any fast food restaurant that is WAY, WAY more healthy than anything that you can get at a fast food establishment.
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Posted By: CGinSC @ 11/14/2008 3:01:22 PM
It's about time! I am so tired of too many establishments having vague information -- or weasling out of it by saying, "Oh tell the chef to prepare it this way...." NO! Be honest with me -- even if I choose not to eat there because nothing on the menu fits into my food lifestyle, I'll think more highly of you and maybe even recommend your fare to my friends. I'd rather know than hazard a guess (and put my health and wellbeing in hazard, too!)
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Posted By: CGinSC @ 11/14/2008 2:59:03 PM
GOOD! It's about time. I watch my food intake, and there are plenty of places that are very vague about their menu items. I'd rather know what my options are -- even if it includes walking out the door and going elsewhere! Can't come soon enough!
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Posted By: TheVigil @ 11/14/2008 1:25:23 PM
I know I sure do the "I don't want to know" thing a lot (I don't really eat at chain restaurants however, so I may stay in denial.
What I really need is a calorie count list for my refrigerator door...not a bad idea maybe! -
Posted By: TheVigil @ 11/14/2008 1:23:37 PM
Yes. Good stuff. I fully support it.
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Posted By: homeschooler @ 11/14/2008 1:14:53 PM
I think this is FANTASTIC!!! People are in need of a reality check.
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Posted By: cleoj @ 11/14/2008 12:46:17 PM
I think it's a great idea, bring it on! It would certainly deter me from purchasing the foods that have a higher caloric (and other) content. If it doesn't deter me from going to the restaurant, I will at least purchase something healthier when faced with the stark reality of how bad what I want is!
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