A Food Fight Over Calorie Counts

[Einy]

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...e+channel_news

[Momof3greatgirls]

I agree with the notion that the calories at fast food restaurants should be displayed. 2900 Calories for a tuna melt??? What the heck are they putting in that thing? A chocolate shake has more cal than 2 big macs? I think this would influence peoples choices at fast food restaurants.

[liv]

I think fastfood restaurants have been fairly good at posting their nutrition info. Most people expect 'fast food' to be high in calories. I would like to see restaurant and chain restraurants be more open. Some of them have appertizers on their menu that is way over 1500 calories.

[MrsBrittney]

I have to say that I feel people need to be a bit more accountable for their own health. I think its incredibely helpful that many places are now offering the nutritional information on their websites - it would be great if more restraunts followed in that approach.

But I also think that people need to be more responsible for themselves. We should all be very aware that fast food isn't a healthy option nor should it be a regular option. Most of us are capable of looking up an item on their online menu, or asking for their nutritional info before ordering.

Think of those of us on this WOE. If I can't be SURE the carb count in an item, I order something else or I don't eat out. I think people on any restricted WOE should use that same willpower and judgement.

I think it might deter a few folks from ordering items high in calories if info was posted, but I also don't think the food industry should be responsible for keeping us thin. That's OUR job, you know? Though a 2,090 tuna melt is NUTS! I'm fairly good at guesstimating calorie counts and even that would have thrown me off! It does make it tougher on people with very little knowledge of calories, carbs, fats, etc to judge for themselves - but not impossible for them to learn.

[MrsBrittney]

Oh! On the same note, a few years back when I was merely calorie counting, I went and ordered a minibon at Cinnabon. I asked the cashier if they had any nutritional brochures on hand I could view, and she remarked, "We don't make any. I think if people knew, it might hurt sales."

[UrbanShaman]

Originally Posted by MrsBrittney

I have to say that I feel people need to be a bit more accountable for their own health. I think its incredibely helpful that many places are now offering the nutritional information on their websites - it would be great if more restraunts followed in that approach.

But I also think that people need to be more responsible for themselves. We should all be very aware that fast food isn't a healthy option nor should it be a regular option. Most of us are capable of looking up an item on their online menu, or asking for their nutritional info before ordering.

Think of those of us on this WOE. If I can't be SURE the carb count in an item, I order something else or I don't eat out. I think people on any restricted WOE should use that same willpower and judgement.

I think it might deter a few folks from ordering items high in calories if info was posted, but I also don't think the food industry should be responsible for keeping us thin. That's OUR job, you know? Though a 2,090 tuna melt is NUTS! I'm fairly good at guesstimating calorie counts and even that would have thrown me off! It does make it tougher on people with very little knowledge of calories, carbs, fats, etc to judge for themselves - but not impossible for them to learn.

I agree wholeheartedly. I NEVER used to pay attention to nutritional information until i started considering Atkins and it was a real eyeopener. I was eating fast food two to three times a day and the amount of calories I was ingesting was heartstopping, literally so, had I kept it up. At any time I could have looked up that information and been more knowledgeable and accountable for my eating decisions but I didn't WANT to be. Fast food SHOULD be a last resort for anyone, not just those of us on a WOE. I know I won't inject my steak at home with sugary tenderizers or bathe it in carby sauces but I won't trust a restaurant to keep me on track. That's my job, and my responsibility.

[julirama723]

Wow! Interesting article.

I agree that we are responsible for our own decisions, but I also think that these companies need to have the nutritional information readily available for patrons. We have the right to know what we're eating without having to google every freaking ingredient. Fast Food isn't exactly fine dining--it's a place you're likely to go when you're pressed for time and have no other options. It's not a place you generally PLAN a visit to. So going online may be helpful if you know you're going somewhere, but what if you're on a group trip, or ordering in for a work function, or something else spur-of-the-moment?

I'd also like to see ingredients lists (for those who have food allergies) but geez, if they think the calorie counts are going to scare away business, wait till the customers see what's in their chicken sandwich...

[Einy]

Yes Momof3greatgirls, I wondered the same thing about the tuna melt! 2900 calories.. good lord.. This is a whole day meal by itself.

Well, I think we all have the right to eat in restaurants like everybody else and have the right to know what I am eating..

Having such law will of course open the consumer eyes to what they are eating.. that's for one. The other thing producers will start watching out what they stuff in their food since now they'll have to declare the calorie count.

I believe this law makes way more sense than getting escorted out of a restaurant because I am too fat to eat in there..

[Einy]

Quick correction.. Quiznos Tuna Melt is 2090 not 2900.

[Momof3greatgirls]

Check this out
Woudl you have guessed the veggie sub at over 1200 cal?
http://www.foodfacts.info/blog/2007/...n-finally.html