find the nutritional value from restuarants that don't post

micheleld73

I can google and compare, but there are just some restaurants out there that won't show you what their nutritional values are. How would I go about getting it? Do I have to call corporate or something?!?

melsinct

I generally eat at independent places, not chains, and have zero chance of getting nutrition info. I just look up something similar in the database and choose that. Even when you have the info, it isn't 100% accurate so don't worry about doing some educated guessing.

ezwryder

I generally eat at independent places, not chains, and have zero chance of getting nutrition info. I just look up something similar in the database and choose that. Even when you have the info, it isn't 100% accurate so don't worry about doing some educated guessing.

I do the same. With a little practice you can break out a dish into its components, e.g. approx this much chicken, about that much rice, etc., BUT the drawback is whether a dish has other stuff lurking in it like butter, etc. So after figuring out the base components and entering those, I add a little fudge factor on top to account for the other potential calories. And, it's a guesstimate. I don't get too stressed if it isn't exact. That approach has worked well enough!

sr_maggie

I usually find something close in the database as well. If the restaurant has fewer than 20 locations, they are not req'd by law to provide nutrional labeling. I was pretty frustrated when I asked a local place and they didn't have the info, thinking that everyone had to. I found the info regarding the law at the FDA website:

http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/default.htm

waldo56

Well fortunately this is changing. One of the provisions of "Obamacare" is that all restaurants will have to list the nutritional value of their foods (plus delis, bakeries, etc....).

Doesn't do you much good right now, but that'll change over the next year as it is implimented.

Chief_Rocka

I look for a restaurant that serves a similar item.

JennedyJLD

I generally eat at independent places, not chains, and have zero chance of getting nutrition info. I just look up something similar in the database and choose that. Even when you have the info, it isn't 100% accurate so don't worry about doing some educated guessing.

This. Even at chain restaurants that DO post, entrees can be off by several hundred calories. The folks in the kitchen usually eyeball ingredients rather than weigh them out and follow exact measurements.

What's interesting - as of a couple of years ago, I thought all restaurants with five or more locations were supposed to make their nutrition info public. However, there are several big chains that don't, including Buffalo's Southwest Grille and Cracker Barrel.

micheleld73

Thanks everyone for responding. It's harder to be accountable when you don't have a number to locate. I tried to borrow similar recipes from other restaurants - but like someone said - a lot of times there are those hidden ingredients you just don't know about.

Chief_Rocka

Thanks everyone for responding. It's harder to be accountable when you don't have a number to locate. I tried to borrow similar recipes from other restaurants - but like someone said - a lot of times there are those hidden ingredients you just don't know about.

If it's any consolation, when nutritional values are available, they're probably off anyway.

WendyTerry420

Well fortunately this is changing. One of the provisions of "Obamacare" is that all restaurants will have to list the nutritional value of their foods (plus delis, bakeries, etc....).

Doesn't do you much good right now, but that'll change over the next year as it is implimented.

Oh, joy. If this is true, then I will be sad to see my local cafe close down for lack of funding. :frown:

acogg

When the new taxes kick in, who's going to be able to afford to go out and eat?

CalJur

Its the law in California so not an issue. Moreover, nearly every restaurant in America posts nutritional values online. If they do not then don't patronize them. Find what you want elsewhere.

acogg

Its the law in California so not an issue.

Isn't California broke? I don't think that was a good example.

Moreover, nearly every restaurant in America posts nutritional values online.

No, they don't.

alpine1994

Best guesstimate, enjoy your meal, and work out in the morning.

beckajw

Well fortunately this is changing. One of the provisions of "Obamacare" is that all restaurants will have to list the nutritional value of their foods (plus delis, bakeries, etc....).

Doesn't do you much good right now, but that'll change over the next year as it is implimented.

I don't think this is true. My understanding of SEC. 4205. is that chain restaurants with over 20 restaurants must disclose nutritional information.

RunsOnEspresso

Its the law in California so not an issue. Moreover, nearly every restaurant in America posts nutritional values online. If they do not then don't patronize them. Find what you want elsewhere.

For every restaurant in California? Because when I was there in September I ate at a lot of places who didn't have nutritional information on the menu or readily available (and could not find a website for them). Unless you have to ask, which I don't care that much to do.

I like to support local places... sometimes they don't even have a website so I'm not sure how they post nutritional values on line. I'm not going to stop going there over nutritional values when I can guess. I'm losing weight so I must not be guessing too bad.

Besides local places, I've had problems with some chain places not having nutritional values online. I did notice my local McD's put the calories on the drive thru board. It's kinda nice (although I try to look up info before I go out to eat).

ETA: Californa law is chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in California. That makes more sense then every restaurant.

RunsOnEspresso

Well fortunately this is changing. One of the provisions of "Obamacare" is that all restaurants will have to list the nutritional value of their foods (plus delis, bakeries, etc....).

Doesn't do you much good right now, but that'll change over the next year as it is implimented.

I don't think this is true. My understanding of SEC. 4205. is that chain restaurants with over 20 restaurants must disclose nutritional information.

That's my understanding too. In doing a quick google search, the federal one reads just like the California law with one exception: CA states 20 or more locations in CA, while federal just states 20 or more doing business under the same name.

GoldenGopherDad

I am always wondering this....thanks for asking...and thanks for all the great ideas everyone. Now I have a game plan!

YoungDoc2B

If you don't go out to eat often, just use it as a cheat meal and forget about trying to get exact calories.

ldrosophila

I generally eat at independent places, not chains, and have zero chance of getting nutrition info. I just look up something similar in the database and choose that. Even when you have the info, it isn't 100% accurate so don't worry about doing some educated guessing.

I do the same. With a little practice you can break out a dish into its components, e.g. approx this much chicken, about that much rice, etc., BUT the drawback is whether a dish has other stuff lurking in it like butter, etc. So after figuring out the base components and entering those, I add a little fudge factor on top to account for the other potential calories. And, it's a guesstimate. I don't get too stressed if it isn't exact. That approach has worked well enough!

Go with this and always add a little extra to account for the hidden butter and oils.

quirkytizzy

This. Even at chain restaurants that DO post, entrees can be off by several hundred calories. The folks in the kitchen usually eyeball ingredients rather than weigh them out and follow exact measurements.

What's interesting - as of a couple of years ago, I thought all restaurants with five or more locations were supposed to make their nutrition info public. However, there are several big chains that don't, including Buffalo's Southwest Grille and Cracker Barrel.

Omg I love Cracker Barrel. I haven't eaten there in a while, though - not since I started logging. I had no idea they didn't have their info! I'm going to have to switch eating their to my cheat day only now.

But better to have this info now than not. Thank you!

WendyTerry420

Well fortunately this is changing. One of the provisions of "Obamacare" is that all restaurants will have to list the nutritional value of their foods (plus delis, bakeries, etc....).

Doesn't do you much good right now, but that'll change over the next year as it is implimented.

I don't think this is true. My understanding of SEC. 4205. is that chain restaurants with over 20 restaurants must disclose nutritional information.

That's my understanding too. In doing a quick google search, the federal one reads just like the California law with one exception: CA states 20 or more locations in CA, while federal just states 20 or more doing business under the same name.

Thanks for looking that up, ladies. It didn't sound right. They wouldn't be able to enforce that on ever restaurant in the country.

WendyTerry420

I like to support local places... sometimes they don't even have a website so I'm not sure how they post nutritional values on line. I'm not going to stop going there over nutritional values when I can guess. I'm losing weight so I must not be guessing too bad.

Same here. My husband and me love our little cafe by our house. We eat there once a month or so, and I make a solid guess at the content. There is no chain that could compete with it.

cbbarge

I usually try to find something similar in the database and move on. I track pretty closely most of the time so I'm not stressing out over the accuracy of one meal.

cwolfman13

The only time I eat out anymore is if I'm allowing myself a "cheat." Have to do it from time to time for sanity purposes, but otherwise I generally prepare my own foods these days. I do what others do and just make my best educated guess based on the ingredients...sometimes I just don't bother logging it at all...same as I don't bother logging holiday meals. Of course, this should be and is a rarity for me. I no longer touch fast food, "cheat" or not.

bgelliott

I call them and ask them to fax it to me or go over it on the phone with me. I've had some that tell me they don't have the information but they will cook anything I want, however I want it so I can pretty much put together my meal and know what the calories, fat, carbs, etc. are!

zaph0d

It's a good exercise for you, as a dieter, to think about the ingredients that went into the dish and try to estimate the calories. After a while, you should get a knack for coming up with a rough ballpark of restaurant dishes that you order.

I'll often just quick-add around 1200 calories or so if I eat out and I'm too lazy to work out a better estimate.

dispatchbug

I try to find something similar and add about 15% more calories. I found that usually gives me little wiggle room.

acogg

We almost never ate out when I was a child. I didn't eat in a Chinese restaurant until I was an adult with children. My parents didn't allow soda pop into our house, Literally. Pop could be outside, even on the porch for a New Year treat. Dad and I had to had to drink it outside, I lived the healthy lifestyle as a child. When I was old enough to babysit, I would go to a junk food household and pig out. At the time, a hot dog or a bologne sandwich was a major treat. Now I can't tolerate pop. bologne or hot dogs, I am better at dieting because my mother forced me to be healther. Her voice is what I hear when trying to get healthier.

jmkmomm

Cheddars is another that have no nutritional info anywhere. But like the others I try to find common foods elswhere. I also am one of those that have watched Biggest Loser enough to know to ask how things are cooked an to ask for certain ingredients on the side or not at all. Drives my husband crazy. He knows what he wants even before he walks in the door. I look it over and ask for a special order.

neanderthin

Good thing the obesity epidemic has gone down over the last decade from nutrition disclosure in most large fast food restaurants. I hear any meal over 750 cals is gone soon. lol