Calorie List would give diners a bit more to chew on...artic

Mangoaddict

Thought I'd share this article from the Oregonian from this weekend.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/portland_news/121703732021620.xml&coll=7&thispage=2

Mangoaddict

Thought I'd share this article from the Oregonian from this weekend.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/portland_news/121703732021620.xml&coll=7&thispage=2

Mangoaddict

Plan would let diners count calories on menu

A proposal for Portland and Multnomah County aims to boost consumer awareness and cut obesity


Sunday, July 27, 2008
ARTHUR GREGG SULZBERGER
The Oregonian Staff
Who would guess that a calorie-conscious McDonald's patron would be better off ordering four regular hamburgers (1,000 calories) than one large chocolate shake (1,160 calories)?

Or that picking up a blueberry muffin and large latte from Starbucks costs the same in calorie-burning treadmill hours as a five-piece order of extra crispy drumsticks at Kentucky Fried Chicken (both about 800 calories)?

The guessing game could end soon for restaurant-goers with a proposed new rule requiring about 90 chains throughout Portland and Multnomah County to post calorie counts on their menus and ordering boards -- right beside their pastrami subs, large onion rings and chocolate-glazed doughnuts with sprinkles.

"It's a huge step in our ability to manage weight," said Mel Rader, a member of the Oregon Nutritional Policy Alliance.

Americans dine out more frequently than ever, eating meals that are on average larger and less healthful than those cooked at home. Studies show that despite spending almost half of their food dollars in restaurants, consumers have little idea of the nutritional value of what they're eating.

Menu labeling, supporters contend, would arm consumers with the information they need to make more healthful decisions at a time of an alarming rise in obesity rates. It would also put Multnomah County -- with its burgeoning reputation as an epicurean hot spot of local, sustainable and healthful food -- at the front of a growing national trend toward consumer awareness. Only three other big cities do the same.

The list of affected restaurants -- those with at least 15 outlets nationwide -- takes in the usual fast-food suspects, but also high-end places such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, specialty stores such as Ben & Jerry's and homegrown spots such as McMenamins. Together, the companies have more than 500 outlets here.

"It's not telling people what they should eat, it's not preventing them from eating things that are unhealthy," said County Commissioner Jeff Cogen. "It's giving people the information so they can make decisions for themselves."

Cogen is sponsoring the menu rule after more than a year of study by local health experts, but he is still working to line up support among his colleagues for a vote Thursday on the plan. The Board of Commissioners serves as the county's public health agency.

In addition to prominently posting calories, the restaurants also would have to provide additional nutritional data on request detailing the fat, sodium and carbohydrate content of their food. (Specials on the menu for less than 60 days would be exempt from the