Do You Really Want to Know?
Imagine you’re going out to eat. You’re in a restaurant looking over the menu with the delicious smells from the kitchen floating in the air all around you. How do you choose what to get? If you’re like me, you pick what you WANT.
(Well DUH, right? Who would get something they didn’t want?)
Not my point — I’m wondering, if the restaurant listed calories on their menu, would you be more likely to make a healthier choice?
Think about it for a second. Do you like the idea or not?
Some restaurants say they give this information on their websites or posted in their establishments and that should be enough. They even go so far as to say it would be “confusing” for people to give them a calorie count. (What?) But even though the information is available to you, did you know that a large milkshake has more calories than TWO Big Macs? Some combo meals have more calories than an adult needs in an ENTIRE DAY. Would knowing that make you think twice before you order?
West Virginia is listed as the second fattest state in the country by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We are the first generation in America whose children may have shorter life spans than us because of complications from obesity.
Just for kicks, watch us get fat on this map.
There is a bill currently being considered in West Virginia covering this very issue. Participating restaurants could use a specific logo to let consumers know their establishment provides nutrition information.
Well, what do you think? Would you want to know, or are you happier choosing on taste alone?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I think it’s a good idea to post the info in the restaurant.
My oldest son is really interested in health and diet, so we’ve actually been analyzing nutritional content on the foods we buy. Do you know how difficult it is to get this info in a lot of places? In one McDonalds’ we actually had to ask for a copy at the counter, and nobody knew where to find one. Someone finally brought a copy out to us and it was about 8 years old! A lot of the newer menu items weren’t even on it!
I’m really offended that some estabishments have actually stated that we as consumers would be “confused” by more info. Not terribly surprised… but offended, nonetheless.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I think that calorie counts should be on all menus and overhead order boards. They also should list the % daily requirement of salt (sodium) in their meals–it would likely exceed 100%!
The size of today’s combo meals is astounding! Being on the road, I sometimes eat fast food, and I have to argue with the counter person when I ask for a simple cheeseburger–no fries–and a small soft drink!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Drink Lite beer with your burgers. ; ) Bud has a lot of calories too!
February 15th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Sarah, pardon me whilst I respond to Bloggious-addled gotbob: MY burgers are (comparatively) low-fat, no salt, and best served with a (singular) real beer or ale (high calorie, but served instead of fries)–not Bud, Bud Light, or any other canned excuse for beer.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I agree that it should be posted right up there for all to see along with a visual of how much of your daily allotment you’re using up. Nothing like a visual to drive the point home. I am guilty of taking the kids through the drive-through too often. My kids aren’t overweight but what happens when they grow up and have to deal with a lifetime of bad habits? The implications are sobering.
Maggie Dokic
February 28th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I’ve done a lot of reading about health and nutrition when I was more on my kick of getting fit (working hard to get back on that horse BTW). I just don’t think that people really care … sadly. Here are three great books to read though that I found very informative on some of these issues (from an early jawa post).
http://not-my.blogspot.com/2006/07/inaugural-book-review-food-trifecta.html