Restaurants with NO nutritional facts
NadiaMW
Posts: 5
What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
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Replies
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You could probably estimate to the best of your ability, and ask the waiter was they use when they cook it (like any oils) to make sure there's not too many hidden calories. You could also request that they start posting nutritional information - after all, since they're into making healthier foods, it shouldn't be too much to ask. You could be totes casual about it - ask it they have one, and when they say no, just be all "That's okay, but it would be totally awesome if you did in the future."0
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What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
Yes, it is being too anal, I think. When I go to a restaurant I know the kinds of things which will be good for me and those that won't. I don't need nutritional information.
I used to have a friend who said, "I wish restaurants had a calorie helpline that I could dial when I'm there!". Jesus, just choose wisely and enjoy the food. Not every meal should be about numbers.0 -
What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts?
All for it, because it usually means it's not a chain, and it won't be crap food.
If I'm ordering foie gras, it's not because I want to make sure it fits my macros or something similarly stupid. I have no problem with being responsible for myself, and knowing that what I order I may have to deconstruct if I want to log, and I don't need to be babied by a restauranteur playing at nutrition guru with their added data.
Furthermore, when I have my restaurant, if someone asks one of my staff for that data, I'll show them the door. I'm not here to tell you how to eat, I'm here to feed you.0 -
It is really your choice. If it bothers you to eat at a place that you can't figure out calorie levels...then simply don't eat there. I'm sure there are plenty of places to pick from with similar food that does have calorie values advertised.
I don't consider it being anal....I consider it making an informed decision. I don't usually frequent places that I can't figure out calories, not because I don't want to eat there...but because I simply don't have to.0 -
What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.0 -
What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.
Please cite this law. This would be news to me.0 -
My family goes to local restaurants more than the chain ones, and I usually just look up food closest to what I ordered in the databse, and log that. I don't let it bother me much. when I go out, I want to enjoy and not worry about analyzing my calories.0
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Just choose similar items from the MFP database. Nothing is exact, anyway -- even when eating at home or at a chain restaurant.0
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What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts?
All for it, because it usually means it's not a chain, and it won't be crap food.
If I'm ordering foie gras, it's not because I want to make sure it fits my macros or something similarly stupid. I have no problem with being responsible for myself, and knowing that what I order I may have to deconstruct if I want to log, and I don't need to be babied by a restauranteur playing at nutrition guru with their added data.
Furthermore, when I have my restaurant, if someone asks one of my staff for that data, I'll show them the door. I'm not here to tell you how to eat, I'm here to feed you.
on the flip side, sometimes people will ask because they might have a food allergy. like if you fry in peanut oil, that might not be good for someone with a peanut allergy. I have a friend who is allergic to shellfish. He ordered fries and forgot to ask if they fried the shrimp in the same oil. He found out after his lips swelled up that indeed, they did fry the shellfish in the same oil! Other customers might have sodium restrctions or things like that, would you turn those people away if they ask how much salt is used? You wouldn't be in business long...0 -
Certain states require restaurants to post on their menus. In California. I've seen many fast food places with the nute info on the menus. I was blown away by the calories at Sonic.0
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Only places with more than 20 locations need to post nutritional information, I believe.0
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To me it means that their salad is probably 1000 calories or more. Lol if I don't know I don't eat it. But look at it and use what you know. Is it lettuce, tomato, cucumber, maybe some carrots? It's ok. If it has fried onions, croutons, cheese, bacon bits(wood) and all that jazz, it not good. You know what a tortilla is worth, log what you see and hold the sauce.0
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I do my best to estimate what I'm having, or make sure I'm having something I can easily break down the ingredients to log. That being said, if this local restaurant targets healthy eaters, you would think they would give you some Nutritional Info!0
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What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.
Currently in CA and NY restaurants with 20 or more locations (aka chains) must have calorie info on the menu. In 2014 this will be nationally. But again, only for chains with 20 or more locations. McDonalds has put calories in all stores because of this.
Local mom & pop places will probably never have calorie counts. It would be too cost prohibitive for most and they probably don't have the same portion control measures as chains. In these cases I just find a similar dish from a chain and enter it. It's close enough.0 -
if it's causing you to choose not to eat there when you otherwise would like to, you could write to the manager and say so and ask them to provide this information. If they're aiming to cater for people who want healthy food, then a significant number of their target demographic probably feel the same way you do, and so the manager would probably be grateful to hear your opinion about this.
That said, when I eat out I don't really care about the calories. It's nice to know them and be able to log them, but where I live only McDonalds actually provides this information. I sure as anything don't want to restrict myself to only eating at McDonalds!!! I like their burgers but there's a whole world of other food out there that I'm not going to miss out on just because it's harder to log it (not that I'm even tracking right now but if I was tracking that would be my opinion still)0 -
Could you cite the federal law? I've not read one that says that. Talk about nanny law.What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.
Currently in CA and NY restaurants with 20 or more locations (aka chains) must have calorie info on the menu. In 2014 this will be nationally. But again, only for chains with 20 or more locations. McDonalds has put calories in all stores because of this.0 -
I avoid these places except for cheat days. Smoothies can range in calories from 150 to 700 and you cannot always tell the difference without a sheet.0
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It's not a federal law, it's state law.
Could you cite the federal law? I've not read one that says that. Talk about nanny law.What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.
Currently in CA and NY restaurants with 20 or more locations (aka chains) must have calorie info on the menu. In 2014 this will be nationally. But again, only for chains with 20 or more locations. McDonalds has put calories in all stores because of this.0 -
Let's be real here, people are asking nutrition data, and not ingredient list. While your comments have value, they aren't relevant.What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts?
All for it, because it usually means it's not a chain, and it won't be crap food.
If I'm ordering foie gras, it's not because I want to make sure it fits my macros or something similarly stupid. I have no problem with being responsible for myself, and knowing that what I order I may have to deconstruct if I want to log, and I don't need to be babied by a restauranteur playing at nutrition guru with their added data.
Furthermore, when I have my restaurant, if someone asks one of my staff for that data, I'll show them the door. I'm not here to tell you how to eat, I'm here to feed you.
on the flip side, sometimes people will ask because they might have a food allergy. like if you fry in peanut oil, that might not be good for someone with a peanut allergy. I have a friend who is allergic to shellfish. He ordered fries and forgot to ask if they fried the shrimp in the same oil. He found out after his lips swelled up that indeed, they did fry the shellfish in the same oil! Other customers might have sodium restrctions or things like that, would you turn those people away if they ask how much salt is used? You wouldn't be in business long...
Additionally, it is the responsibility of the diner to know what they can and cannot eat, as the restaurant staff cannot figure that out for them. It is also responsibility for the diner to ask if any of their known allergens are in the dish. I can't eat walnuts, so I ask if there are walnuts in the food. I don't ask for a recipe card. Asking for an ingredient list is asking for trade secrets, and any restaurant offering those up won't be in business long. That's basic business.
As for your rather ambiguous and relatively silly question: "would you turn those people away if they ask how much salt is used?"
No, that's their choice, they are adults (generally, and often with today's society only in age and body size.)
I would not sit there and say, oh we use 2500mg for X, and 180mg for Y. Too much liability.
A realistic response is: It's salty, it's not salty. This has the least amount of salt on the menu. Etc.
Again though, if you're looking for an AHA seal, go to Marie Callender's. With great dining comes great responsibility.0 -
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Ask fot the ingredients list of what you want, punch that into food.com and get the value for yourself.0
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It's not a federal law, it's state law.
Could you cite the federal law? I've not read one that says that. Talk about nanny law.What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts? I have a place near me that is targeted to people with a healthy lifestyle; serving salads, wraps, smoothies etc. but they have yet to make a nutritional facts sheet. I really want to eat there again but I'm hesitant because I don't know the facts. Is this being too anal? And even outside this specific place, there are so many places that don't have the facts. Should you save these meals for cheat days only? I am on track with my diet but I don't want to restrict myself too too much.
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.
Currently in CA and NY restaurants with 20 or more locations (aka chains) must have calorie info on the menu. In 2014 this will be nationally. But again, only for chains with 20 or more locations. McDonalds has put calories in all stores because of this.
"In 2014 this will be nationally."
Which state is named Nationally?0 -
Where did you go to law school?Google it. This is my understanding of the law in CA.
Citations go a long way to lending creedence.0 -
Let's be real here, people are asking nutrition data, and not ingredient list. While your comments have value, they aren't relevant.What's your opinion on eating from restaurants that don't have nutritional facts?
All for it, because it usually means it's not a chain, and it won't be crap food.
If I'm ordering foie gras, it's not because I want to make sure it fits my macros or something similarly stupid. I have no problem with being responsible for myself, and knowing that what I order I may have to deconstruct if I want to log, and I don't need to be babied by a restauranteur playing at nutrition guru with their added data.
Furthermore, when I have my restaurant, if someone asks one of my staff for that data, I'll show them the door. I'm not here to tell you how to eat, I'm here to feed you.
on the flip side, sometimes people will ask because they might have a food allergy. like if you fry in peanut oil, that might not be good for someone with a peanut allergy. I have a friend who is allergic to shellfish. He ordered fries and forgot to ask if they fried the shrimp in the same oil. He found out after his lips swelled up that indeed, they did fry the shellfish in the same oil! Other customers might have sodium restrctions or things like that, would you turn those people away if they ask how much salt is used? You wouldn't be in business long...
Additionally, it is the responsibility of the diner to know what they can and cannot eat, as the restaurant staff cannot figure that out for them. It is also responsibility for the diner to ask if any of their known allergens are in the dish. I can't eat walnuts, so I ask if there are walnuts in the food. I don't ask for a recipe card. Asking for an ingredient list is asking for trade secrets, and any restaurant offering those up won't be in business long. That's basic business.
As for your rather ambiguous and relatively silly question: "would you turn those people away if they ask how much salt is used?"
No, that's their choice, they are adults (generally, and often with today's society only in age and body size.)
I would not sit there and say, oh we use 2500mg for X, and 180mg for Y. Too much liability.
A realistic response is: It's salty, it's not salty. This has the least amount of salt on the menu. Etc.
Again though, if you're looking for an AHA seal, go to Marie Callender's. With great dining comes great responsibility.
Asking if you use nuts, or fry in oil used for shellfish, etc, is definitely the customer's responsibility, I don't disagree. But, when they ask that, they are not asking for your secret recipe, nor are they asking for the secret recipe when they ask how many calories the seafood special has. Nutritional info doesn't mean we want the entire ingredient list, just what the common nutritional values are- fat/protein/carbs/sodium- so we can be responsible for ourselves.0 -
Google it. This is my understanding of the law in CA.
Now, I tried to do your citation work for you. I failed. There is no federal law that I can find that another poster claims exists.
I did find the CA version, which is fine, people expect nannyism from CA and NYC, and that wasn't in question. However, to aid you in the future, here is a link you can use for citation when you speak as an expert about it:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1401-1450/sb_1420_bill_20080903_enrolled.html
This is a very simple language explanation of the CA law. I'll now kick back and wait for a cite of this supposed federal law. I have a problem with a federal law, because it's ridiculous, I have no problem with the CA law, because CA voters are kooky and they want silly ineffectual stuff all the time.
I think this is a good quote related to the food labeling law in CA."Caloric menu labeling has no impact on consumers' eating habits. In other words, this was a politically correct that is ineffective," said Carl's Jr. CEO Andy Puzder at a Congressional hearing.0 -
almost every restaurant I patronize has no nutritional facts available0
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That's true I could always ask how they cooked everything. Thanks!
And I went on their FB page and suggested they get a nutritional menu!0 -
I think there is a law ( if you are in the US) where they have to release the nutrition facts if you ask.
not really. i used to own/run a restaurant like the one described and we were not required to provide calorie counts or nutritional breakdowns. i happily shared ingredients and proportions with customers, and helped people work out their weight watchers points etc. but it was in no way required by the state. ive only ever seen calorie counts on fast food menus.
ETA: i see i am repeating what has already been said, but just wanted to throw in my personal experience. i was asked, several times, to provide calorie counts etc but it would have been very impractical for most menu items, as we made everything from scratch and to taste. fresh baked bread made and cut by hand is harder to measure than a machine sliced factory loaf! sometimes the tomatoes were sweeter for the soup, so we salted accordingly, etc etc.0
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