Friday, 03 September 2010
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Tightening a Grip on Fat America: Now Counting Calories in Airplanes and Movie Theaters
News from WSJ Online.
It's not just the restaurants that are required to post calories next to their menu. Very soon, airplanes and movie theaters will be marking up the calories of their food and beverages.
According to WSJ, part of the USA healthcare plan in March has extended to other chains besides obvious dining establishments such as corporate restaurants and Starbucks. This is so that customers have the option of making healthier choices before purchasing their grub.
Even convenience stores may also be swept into calorie counting in the hopes of empowering American customers the knowledge of what they are actually putting into their mouth.
I, personally, am all for this idea of increasing awareness of what we buy and eat. I've been to Starbucks quite often and made decisions based off of the calorie signs posted next to their baked desserts (No more cheesecakes and cookies for me!). By putting signs and numbers next to items, I not only have price information but also health information before buying something.
I find it interesting to see a future where every food item are labeled with calorie information.
Imagine going into a bar and having the bartender inform you the drink you are about to savor is so-so-and-so calories. Oh my gosh! This might even get the drunks to think twice in healthier living!
Your daily dose of questions:
How do you feel about seeing calories in theaters and convenience stores? Will seeing calories next to your popcorn dissuade you from buying it the next time you go to the movies? Do you think posting calories will help people eat healthier? Is ignorance bliss?
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About the Author
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- From: Sandy
- About Me: Amateur food critc. Especially partial to desserts and medium-rare steak.
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Comments (44)
i'm a huge fan of this considering I count calories each day. This will make it so much easier to choose what to buy and know the amount of calories to add to my calorie count, or to just completely refrain from eating it in the first place.
What a load of crap.
You know, back in the day people ate huge meals and were skinny as all get-out. Lots of fat and carbs. Now more people are fat than ever, but more people are eating "diet food" and counting calories than ever.
Honestly, if it looks like that, you probably shouldn't be eating it anyway....
It's not just about calories. It's about the source of those calories as well.
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - And the fact that people back then exercised a lot too and now no one does it anymore..
yayyy!
@Hinase@xanga - No arguments from me. There is absolutely no excuse for people to not get their exercise, though. I'm a busy grad student and I still get plenty of exercise - strength training 3x week, 5-mile runs 2x week, and a two-hour session of swing dance 1x week.
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - Exactly..you take swing dance? That's awesome..I so wanna do something like that lol
@Hinase@xanga - Absolutely. It's a lot of fun - and don't underestimate its exercise value - I'm EXHAUSTED after a night of dance.
I lucked out, ISU has a swing club. I was sitting around the house bored one night and noticed they were having an open dance at the local microbrewery. Being one to never turn my nose up at an excuse to grab a couple of beers, I went and checked it out. I've fallen in love and haven't looked back.
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - I don't doubt it. It looks exhausting but fun..I would have to try and find a place that does that lol
I think it's a fantastic idea!
Health is not based on if the food is low in calories. Its all about nutrition, not "I ate only 500 calories today in refined and processed low fat foods"
Get a grip, this is doing more harm than good! And personally I've experienced that counting calories can lead to very strict regulations on eating that make life a living hell.
Meh, I'm still going to have popcorn when I go to the movies.
This is completely unnecessary. Whatever happened to common sense, self-discipline, and exercise? I hate seeing calorie postings when I go out and make a rare indulgence.
Calories may not be the ONLY important factor, but it sure is a step in the right direction.
Maybe this doesn't sound like a good idea, to those who are thin and fit and don't need it. But there are those of us trying to lose weight, who would like to know that information. Would it completely stop me from ever indulging? absolutely not. But on the occassions where I don't have room for a high calorie and fat meal, knowing that information would be helpful. I really don't see why so many people think this is a bad idea. Especially if they don't personally need it. Then just don't pay attention, if you already have the perfect diet and lifestyle.
And for the record, I try and eat well at home and I exercise.... and I still think this is a fantastic idea. It would still be helpful.
I think you can pretty much estimate how many calories are in a large tub of popcorn, but you should know already that it's not good for you! I personally love the movie theatre fake butter even though I KNOW it's bad for me and has enough sodium to last me all week. Regardless, you can still make a more informed decision. I mean, no one is making you eat movie theatre concessions. I usually don't even go to the movies but when I do, I rarely get anything to eat.
Love it. I want to see how many calories something has NOW, not two days later when I look it up on the internet as an afterthought.
I agree to this but only to an extent. I think that alot of the world does have weight issues and some people to have eating disorders such as bulimea or anorexia. This world wants you to believe that being thin is okay but sometimes being a little bit chubby is also okay and thats what people should accept. Its not about the fact that theres size 0 its the fact you should feel good with yourself so this might be good idea in awareness of what we eat but it also might scare ALOT of people to being to thin. So i'm for and against this
This is a bull of bunch.
Well...it's a good idea I guess. It does depend on discipline because some people are just going to ignore it. Besides it's not all about calories. You have to look at the saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, etc. You have to look at the serving size to.
While I don't mind it...it's definitely going to make me a little more paranoid.
i love this idea but I'm afraid that most americans will not even give the number a thought (I'm sure most of them have no knowledge about what the heck a calorie even is or does!!)---i sure hope it smacks a brain into our heads though!
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - swing dancing is super fun
Well honestly, there are people that argue that those with eating disorders might be scared to be too thin...Â
My argument is that if it's unhealthy food, it's better to know just HOW unhealthy it is. Besides, if kids with anorexia see it, they'll refuse to eat it; if binge-happy people eat it, they'll probably throw it up knowing it's unhealthy (not trying to be offensive, just saying.) It's more beneficial to people susceptible to severe weight gain or people who are easily tempted. -_- Most of theater-goers like to sit and eat while a movie's playing.Â
i like how calories are posted in restaurants, but i hate it in movie theaters. i don't go to the movies often so when i do, i want to treat myself! it makes that one night of indulgence really stressful
it's a good idea, but I don't think it'll fix the problem.
@Brilliant_Innocence@xanga - I am totally with you.
I didn't expect such a negative reaction to this cause. :(
I believe this step will make food manufacturers more conscious of the decisions they will be putting out to the market. Requiring companies to expose the calories of their food content may encourage them to put out healthier options for their consumers.
Call me dumb but I never fathomed a chocolate chip cookie from Starbucks would be ~600 calories! Now, I'm glad I know that information so that I can make a healthier decision! Maybe now that this information is out there, Starbucks will put an effort to put healthier (low-calorie) alternatives for their snacks. Just a thought. :P
Ummm why would anyone get stressed out over seeing the calories posted at the movie theater? Oh, poor you.. maybe you have worse issues going on if something like that ruins your night of "indulgence" lmao. I think it's a good idea/helpful although I doubt anyone will care, McD's already posts their calories and it hasn't effected their business at all.