Calories on menus - Government Nannying?

1234568»

Replies

  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,051 Member
    I love that this did turn into a debate, but hate that it happened after I had to get back to work (and then forgot abt it) :(

    ok, time to get reading!
  • lady6starlight
    lady6starlight Posts: 127 Member
    I live in New York City where the calorie listings are mandatory for any restaurant with more than 30 locations (I think). It has been very helpful. Before, I'd order items that SOUNDED healthy without realizing how full of calories they actually were.

    I also think it helps business. For example, if I go to a restaurant when I'm on a diet and don't know the calorie content of anything, I may just leave and go somewhere else. Seeing the numbers encourages me to stay and make a purchase.
  • mayeast
    mayeast Posts: 26 Member
    I think that it is hard for small cafes that make on the premises, they would have to weight every part of everything they make or risk fines, easier for large chains that mass produce. I should think most people can figure a cheese mayo sandwich is high cal than salad sandwich, and that a cream scone is going to pack some cals. For me it is not the way forward.
  • mayeast
    mayeast Posts: 26 Member
    I think that it is hard for small cafes that make on the premises, they would have to weight every part of everything they make or risk fines, easier for large chains that mass produce. I should think most people can figure a cheese mayo sandwich is high cal than salad sandwich, and that a cream scone is going to pack some cals. For me it is not the way forward.
  • karlaterp
    karlaterp Posts: 2 Member
    but how can you choose responsibly if you don't have valid information.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,630 Member
    Hey everyone,

    So Toronto Public Health board has a current push to provide calorie and sodium info on menu lists. They've made this trendy lil site to help promote their cause:
    http://www.savvydiner.ca/

    I'm totally for this because I feel that it would allow us to make better decisions at the point of purchase (therefore allowing us to take better control of our diets/lives), but after going through the site and reading some local public opinions on this as well, apparently there's a healthy stock of people who think this is another form of the government control and babysitting.

    I feel asking this on MFP is kind of preaching to the choir, but I've seen some great debates on here so wondering what your opinions are.

    Should restaurants be forced to provide their calorie/sodium information in such a highly visible manner, or is this another case of the government sticking their nose where it doesn't belong?

    I find it useful when the calorie amounts are next to the food on the menu, at least I have some idea what the amount could be rather than a complete hit and miss guess.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I don't think it's government interference... I think of it as the logical extension of nutritional information on packaged foods.

    Where I live, large chain restaurants (McDonalds, Friday's, etc.) have to list calorie information on their menus. I find it very helpful in watching what I am eating (and I even did before starting on MFP). I've actually become so used to it that I miss it when I am traveling.

    It would be nice, however, if restaurants would do this for all menu items voluntarily. I've noticed that McDonald's lists calories on their menus more often than not, and I read that Starbucks was going to start doing the same.

    Starbucks already does do that in England, where I live. We have some chain restaurants/pubs that do it too.

    I find it useful. It's good to know what you're eating and drinking. People should be aware.
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
    Calorie listings can be helpful but it takes more info to actually be helpful to me. I would need a complete list of ingredients. The macros would also be helpful to me.

    Anything so high in sodium that it might be unhealthy would not be likely to make my short list of aceptable meal options when dining out so I am not concerned about that. I eat very few processed foods and that is where people get into trouble with sodium.
  • angelique_redhead
    angelique_redhead Posts: 782 Member
    Should restaurants be forced? No.
    Should restaurants choose to provide? Up to them, but if their customers want it, then yes.
    Should the data be trusted? Ask anyone who has worked in a restaurant kitchen, NO. Keep in mind, your average oil ladle is a 2oz ladle... Really think that 450 calorie three egg scramble is really *just* 450 cals? :laugh:

    THIS! I'd really like some kind of clue what I'm eating. I was able to get calorie information off Outback's Website and someone had already plugged it into MFP. It was VERY helpful. I was able to budget my calories for the day BEFORE I went out to eat. I loved being able to do that.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    Restaurants with multiple locations who adhere to strict guidelines in terms of recipes and serving size could maybe be in the neighbourhood of accurate, but for small establishments it isn't practical. I don't think it would be even close to accurate, so it would be a waste of time and money.
  • MercuryBlue
    MercuryBlue Posts: 886 Member
    Playing devil's advocate here. . . if the government where you lives offers you health care be it universal or age/poverty related (Medicare/Medicaid) shouldn't that goverment take steps that help minimize the costs associated with your future health care needs?? Doesn't it make sense for them to try to stave off expenses in medical costs by providing people with ample opportunities to make informed/best practice choices?

    I'm not a "big" government fan.

    However, when we sit back and rely on the government to provide us with health care, we have to expect they will take steps to soften the blow of costs.

    "We' (used collectively and not personally inclusively) expect our government to take care of so much, yet get riled when they step in to make necessary changes to mitigate future losses/expenses.

    Calories on menus.

    I think you make a great point, and I also think that this is where I'm seeing the biggest divide in this conversation. It appears to me that the majority of those who oppose this are American, whereas Canadians and people from European nations generally are supportive of it. Canada, being a nation with socialized healthcare, frequently takes steps to improve the health and well-being of its citizens, thereby reducing the demand for healthcare related to preventative illness/disease. For example, there are many programs out there that focus on prenatal and neonatal nutrition, providing education about fitness and nutrition for families of young children, offering assistance for individuals looking to quit smoking, fitness tax credits, etc. While Canada is in many ways similar to the US, and obesity rates have climbed along with theirs, one in four Canadians is obese compared to one in three Americans. To Canadians, this level of "government nannying" is a frequent (and polarizing) topic of discussion; however, generally speaking, Canadians are used to (and generally more accepting) of "interference" from the government if it is in the interests of public health and/or safety. Americans (generally speaking- it varies, of course, from state to state) tend to prefer to let the market drive itself, and believe that people will simply refrain from conducting business with individuals or corporations that they do not approve of.

    At it's core, it does somewhat come down to a Socialism Vs. Capitalism debate; as a result, it's not one that people are likely to agree upon any time in the near future.

    With that in mind, I fully support the requirements that bigger establishments (with the exception of small, locally-owned businesses) provide nutritional information to their customers, who can then use that information to make healthier choices. Or not, if they prefer. Contrary to what some may think, choosing what to eat is not always a matter of "common sense", as an individual may not possess the knowledge needed to distinguish between meals. Customers at restaurants may have no idea how the food is prepared (baked or fried? Covered in butter? What about sauces?), what a serving size looks like, or where unhealthy additions to the recipe may be hiding. It's not uncommon to find salads in restaurants that have a higher caloric content than entrees such as steaks or burgers.

    (EDIT: Apologies for the thread necromancy. How on earth did I wander in here after so long? ;) )