FlyerTalk Forums - Printing calorie counts on menus

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Printing calorie counts on menus

I find this trend of posting the calories next to a menu item annoying for two reasons, it makes me feel guilty about something that I am going to order anyways, plus I have heard from multiple sources that these calorie counts are on average 20% below the true caloric content.

Any thoughts?

if an understated calorie count is making you feel guilty then you probably shouldn't eat it. I think calorie counts are good accountability.

Soon enough, every restaurant chain with at least 20 locations will have to print them on menus, thanks to the health care law. It also applies to vending machines.

http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-r...us-are-now-law

I generally know what I'm going to order before I arrive at a restaurant, so the calorie counts don't do much for me.

Studies have found that having calorie counts printed on menus doesn't do much, if anything, to curb overeating.

http://www.ift.org/food-technology/d...aistlines.aspx

Quote:

recent study from NYU researchers (International Journal of Obesity) examined whether teenagers, notably heavy fast-food habitués, were reading the calorie info posted at restaurants. They found no difference in food choice before and after calorie labeling. After comparing the buying habits of 349 children and adolescents in New York and New Jersey, labels had no effect on their purchases.

http://healthbistro.lifescript.com/2...nt-menus-work/

Quote:

City by city, state by state, menu calorie labeling is fast becoming the law of the land. No doubt, Americans love their fast food. Most public-health experts believe that overeating is best managed with education. If we could just give people the right nutritional information at the time of their food selection, they’ll make healthier meal choices.

However, studies have largely failed to show that posting calorie information will reduce the amount of unhealthful calories consumed. Now, a Washington State study confirms the lack of effectiveness of mandatory menu labeling. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, reports that the total number of sales and average calories per order were the same, regardless of whether the restaurant labeled its menu.

I'm very happy to see the calorie counts because it gives me an idea of what I'm eating. Restaurants frequently put lots of extra stuff in food that you wouldn't put in if you were making it at home, thus making restaurant meals much higher calorie than you'd think.

I like the idea. Not long ago I was exiting an airport (I believe it was BOS) and needed change. I walked into a chain bakery and was about to buy a muffin - then saw it was pushing 500 calories. I passed on the muffin.

If they bother you ignore them.

If however you believe your Cheesecake Factory Farmhouse Burger is a healthy selection because after all how bad can a burger be, you may welcome learning it's got 1,990 calories, and 4,579 mg of sodium

Some are accurate, some are not, but if a restaurant is off, there's a good chance everything is under estimated, so you can at least compare the choices on the menu and make a healthier decision.

But most people choose to believe they are inaccurate, so they order that Farmhouse Burger anyways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2fan (Post 16796468)

The dirty little secret about muffins and bagels: you might as well have a slice of cake.