Here in New York City, for more than a year now, diners at any chain restaurant have been able to see plainly how many calories are in their food before they ever place their order. Restaurants are required by law to post the calorie counts for all their menu items directly on the menu board, just as visibly as they might list the price.
The law was intended not so much to make that information available but rather to shove in your face. Though nutrition information has always been available for fast food joints on the web or behind the counter, it was given only to those who specifically seek it out. Here, the target is those who wouldn't normally think twice about the health consequences of what they're eating. Give them the answer to a question they didn't ask, and maybe they'll take notice.
But does it work? Apparently not. An NYU researcher
found that while a quarter of diners said they noticed the calories counts and that it influenced their decisions, the overall number of calories served didn't budge. (Shrug.)
Do you take note of nutritional value when you're eating out? Would your dining habits change if it were put right in front of you?
Recommend
Comments (68)
i dont even order unless I know the calorie amount.
When I moved to NYC I first found this very convenient, but later found it to be a buzz kill. I'd be like YES I'm going to eat something delicious tonight!...then see the day's worth of calories in it and either not get what I really wanted or regret eating it afterward. I don't think the nutrition facts should be required to be on the menu or anything, but I think they should be readily available upon request.
I know it would because many times I've started to purchase something at the grocery store only to read the label and put it back on the shelf!
It might make a little difference . . . Or if it's a sit-down restaurant I might eat less and take more home.
No, I care about the fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol.
It wouldn't affect my decision.
I'd probably rather not know, but I should.
if i was rewarding myself or had a hard day the calories wouldn't bother me so much. however, on an average day, yes, i would like to know how many calories are in my food. ingredients would be nice too, but that's a long list.
It'd affect how I eat; I'd eat the things with the most fat and calories. Of course, there's easier and safer ways to gain weight, but that seems to be the fastest.
It depends. I care more about the fat, sugar, sodium and other ingredients than I do about calories. On rare occassion, I do opt not to get something, but it is usually b/c the taste of te food isn't worth the calories.
Nope. It doesn't change too much for me. I don't care all that much.
@DaRkFaiRy314@xanga - same here
No, price is more of an issue to me. Although I did try the PB&C shake from cold stone since men's health said it was the worst drink in America at over 2000 calories.
I would love to be able to have that info. right in front of me! It would save a lot of work.
I actually check nutrition info. online before eating out. It helps me to make good choices and avoid eating really impulsively. My husband also likes to know before, because usually it takes forever for them to check or they don't have the info. there.
Yes, but what sucks is that I don't go online to check the caloric intake of Homemade food. pack a whopping amount of calories, but we humans prefer not to know.. Too lazy to, too.
I stopped eating Big Macs and all those burgers after reading how much calories they have.
To be honest, it wouldn't make a difference for me - I'd still order whatever I wanted.
1) Calories are only part of the picture- if you want to be healthy and not just reduce calories, you'll want to know sodium, sugar, fiber, protein, etc., as well.
2) I think the focus should be on promoting healthy menu choices to the health conscious and those in need of weight loss rather than just posting calories across the board.
3) If more health oriented businesses would step up the plate and help restaurants promote these healthier items, the restaurants will be more inclined to offer and promote them. This is a real win-win for all involved as well as the dining public.
Chris McNeil, founderFitMenu Restaurant Nutrition and Healthy Dining
@DaRkFaiRy314@xanga - same!
Nope.
i don;t eat high-cal foods. if i do eat them, i purge. simple as that.
definitely
of course!
Obviously.
I always make sure I know at least approximately how many calories I'm eating. We don't have this law in Chicago, but if I'm going to eat at McDonald's, for example, I'll check the nutritional facts online then decide what I'll eat based on that. It helps a bit that I'm a vegetarian. Â Worst case senario: Side salad for me!
i wouldnt want to know the amount of calories. i just eat what i think it is the right amount for me.