Would calories posted on food menus change your order?
Would seeing the calories change what you ordered? It did for me!
On vacation I was surprised when we walked into a California In-N-Out to find all the calories posted on the menu.
I usually get the burger protein style (meaning wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun), but I never knew how many calories it was saving me. It was a bunch. The posted calories also made me reconsider what I ordered for the kids. (Walsh asked for the double-double which weighed in at 670 calories! That’s like a third to a fourth of all the calories he should have in one day!)
Later in the trip we ate a Panda Express and seeing the calories completely changed what I ordered. It was great to feel like I made a healthier choice.
California has a state law that requires restaurants with more than 20 locations to post calories on the menu.
I found online that a federal law about posting calories was supposed to go into effect but I don’t think it did because we don’t have it where I live and I don’t think Georgia does either.
I wish the federal law would go into effect. I think knowing the calories just makes us smarter consumers.
What do you think? Do you want to the calories you are about to consume? Or would you rather eat in ignorant bliss? (But really people you know the double cheeseburger isn’t low-cal!) Would it change what you ordered to know?
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63 comments Add your comment
oneofeach4me
August 1st, 2012
10:34 am
Like Techmom, me and hubby ALWAYS share the entree. The portions are usually too much for me anyway, so splitting it just means there is no take-home and it is much cheaper. Plus, we are then splitting the calorie content.
I always look up the nutritional content online before I go to a PLANNED meal. However, what I realized is that when we were on vacation, and stopping somewhere to eat we had not been before, I had no idea what the nutritional values were, yet tried to order based on what I “thought” was the healthier choice (which is also usually the most expensive). So I would say that yes, having the stuff posted would alter what I choose off the menu, for me and my children. Sometimes fast food is a fleeting thought and action and it’s probably not a good idea to look up nutritional content on the internet using your phone while you are driving.
Dennis
August 1st, 2012
10:55 am
We saw the calorie counts at Chipotle in Seattle last month on vacation. With their style food, it was ranges that covered a really broad segment. Oddly for a trip where we drove more than 1100 miles, we ate only 2 meals that we would consider fast food or quick serve.
Calorie counts are really just a band-aid solution. Until consumers start getting some basic understanding of food quality and nutritional density, it’s a single data point that doesn’t have much information behind it.
What’s a better meal? 1000 calories from buns and french fries, or 1000 calories from salmon and fresh vegetables cooked in butter and a salad with avocado and a dressing made from real olive oil?
I don’t count calories – I eat until I’m full and then stop. I probably eat 2500-3000 calories a day, but none of it comes from snack foods, processed foods or grains. I’m in my mid 30’s, just under six feet tall and 144 pounds.
Techmom
August 1st, 2012
10:58 am
TWG – did you set the wrong date/time for your topic for today?
Blogger this
August 1st, 2012
11:39 am
I love it when restaurants list the nutritional information on their menus, but I don’t feel it is the government place to mandate this. Let businesses run their businesses.
iRun
August 1st, 2012
12:41 pm
Wow, you 6-footers at 167 and 144 are some skinny guys. Go eat a bunch of cheesburgers! You need to gain some weight!
I am ALL for any government intrusion that helps the consumer to be more informed.
As for me, absolutely listing calorie content helps me pick a healthier selection. I only eat fast food when I am on a long road trip, but we eat out at a local restaurant once a week. I am a long distance runner, so on the day I ran 15 miles (usually a Saturday and the day we eat out) I feel like I can splurge, but on the days I only run 3 or 5 then I’d feel more inclined to inspect the calorie content and choose a lighter option.
Fan of this blog
August 1st, 2012
2:20 pm
Theresa are you OK? You havent done a blog for today? My co-worker keeps saying you are having an affair and that is why you have been late with blogs but I know she is making that up I do hope you are OK.
Dennis
August 1st, 2012
9:17 pm
@iRun….I’ve been trying to put on 6-10 pounds of muscle for months but I’ve only gained a couple of pounds. All of my dairy intake is full fat (whole milk, whole milk yogurt, real butter, heavy whipping cream as a cooking ingredient) and I’ll use animal fats in cooking, eat whole avocados, and just generally never go hungry. I’ve been at that for the better part of 6 months along with regular (with the last 3 weeks excluded) weight lifting.
jay
August 2nd, 2012
2:59 am
http://www.fatsecret.com.
The best website I’ve found that helps you track your daily calories, monitor weight, and track progress. They even have an app for blackberry and adroid smartphones.
Karma
August 2nd, 2012
7:36 am
What?, shes having an affair, that’s why no blogs?
Don Abernethy
August 2nd, 2012
8:32 am
I would like to see other things disclosed like salt content and sugar content.
Don Abernethy
August 2nd, 2012
8:34 am
Why do I get a “Duplicate statement” when I have never commented on this subject. AJC has a way of not allowing free speech when it does not line up with the paper’s views.
Beer Lover
August 2nd, 2012
9:47 am
I can see both sides on whether the government should mandate a nutritional disclosure. I too research a place before I get there so I can have an idea of what the healthy choices may be. If a restaurant voluntarily provides this information than I would think that people who care would gravitate to them.
On the other hand, there are so many over weight people who could benefit by having the information available because they wouldn’t have looked on their own. Obesity is a public health concern and I have to side with any effort that informs consumers, whether they make the most of it or not.
CTPAT
August 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
I would love it if all restaurants here had calorie choices. I try to keep track of mine and feel as if I do an ok job of selecting healthier choices, but it would make things easier if that information was just right there. I don’t think it’s ever wrong to give people more information so that they can make informed choices. Will it change all people’s behavior? No — telling people the dangers of cigarettes didn’t stop them from smoking, but I think it would influence some.