Poll: Should calorie counts be added to more menus?

cparker10
cparker10 Posts: 10
edited September 21 in Food and Nutrition
The Wall Street Journal is conducting a poll: Should calorie counts be added to more menus such as in movie theaters, airlines, and food courts? I voted yes!

You can cast your vote at: http://online.wsj.com/community/groups/question-day-229/topics/should-calorie-counts-added-more

Replies

  • kcdrake
    kcdrake Posts: 512
    'Yes'!

    They're about to get an influx of mfp-ers! :laugh:
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    I'm not sure, to be honest. It isn't ALWAYS good to be obsessing over calories and the like, HOWEVER, I do think the nutrition facts (including the amount of calories) should be easily accessible if not posted.

    I'm not sure I'd want the menu to specify the number of calories (in the instance I feel like not thinking about it and eating whatever I want) but I should be able to get that information at the place where I'm eating if I ask for it.
  • JUSTFORME2010
    JUSTFORME2010 Posts: 125 Member
    I am telling you I am voting yes on this poll. I do not eat anywhere any longer that I can not get online and check a menu and a nutritian information scale. There is no reason unless they are hiding something they should not be able to do this

    Debbie
  • PhotographerOfNature
    PhotographerOfNature Posts: 452 Member
    Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    I am telling you I am voting yes on this poll. I do not eat anywhere any longer that I can not get online and check a menu and a nutritian information scale. There is no reason unless they are hiding something they should not be able to do this

    Debbie
    good points!!

    55% YES
    45% NO
    currently

    pretty close there......hmmmm
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    The business owner side of me thinks of the expense to the establishment to provide such information, especially if it has to be included on the menu itself.

    The diet-minded side of me loves to have the information available.


    A dilemma.

    Perhaps establishments could make up fliers that have the info that you could request if you want it, but would cost them a lot less than re-doing all the menus? Because you know those extra costs are passed along to the consumer....
  • tesha30
    tesha30 Posts: 72 Member
    yes and this way.. people can actually see what their eating!
  • Hughes39
    Hughes39 Posts: 169
    Yes! Some people want to splurge on a treat (eating out) but want to keep it limited and not over do it!
  • p90xokc
    p90xokc Posts: 66
    I think we should continue to do the research ourselves. That's the problem with society today. We expect everyone to do the work for us. Do the research yourself before you go out to eat.
  • MaureenH39
    MaureenH39 Posts: 315 Member
    The problem with that is you can't always do it yourself....Texas Roadhouse for example, they do not have any nutritional info even on their website. So HOW would you find out?
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    I don't know - having the calorie information stare you in the face will give restaurants the incentive to "cheat" on their counts - i.e. cook it without oil for the calorie count, but then use oil in the every day preparation. Then the information becomes worthless. I do think though that restaurants should have this information available on request - that way those who want the info can have it, but it isn't front and center for the diner.
  • MacMadame
    MacMadame Posts: 1,893 Member
    I think we should continue to do the research ourselves. That's the problem with society today. We expect everyone to do the work for us. Do the research yourself before you go out to eat.
    How can we do the research ourselves if the restaurants don't publish the information?

    I suppose we should also look up the prices of everything before we go to the grocery store instead of having them posted there. Since we expect everyone do to the work for us .... :tongue:
  • jasonsplan
    jasonsplan Posts: 9
    I would say yes! It would be nice to see how many calories are in food and snacks. I have been paying much more attention to that since I started on My Fitness Pal. That would be good information to share with everyone.
  • fxst78
    fxst78 Posts: 221 Member
    The cost would be extreme to the business. I agree that it would be great but it would add cost. You can easily work it out for yourself. Just look at what is on your plate. If something has a creamy sauce then you know that it is about half a cup of doublt cream and 1/4 cup oil etc.
    If something has a tomato based sauce, add some oil and tomato. Then just add the meat/pasta/veg side of it. I have done this quite often and sometimes I am able to check against the published data and I am always very close. Some of teh results will shock you though! A large bowl of creamy pasta can push well over 1500 cal!!!
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    I think we should continue to do the research ourselves. That's the problem with society today. We expect everyone to do the work for us. Do the research yourself before you go out to eat.

    The problem is, unless a restaurant provides this information, it's impossible to know exactly what we're eating. There are so many ways to prepare dishes, and with baked dishes it can be especially hard to know what exactly went into it! Whole milk or skim? Reduced fat cheese or regular? Lean ground beef or not lean? You can research till your fingers fall off, but a restaurant HAS to provide nutritional information that reflects how they specifically prepare dishes if you want any real probability of accuracy.

    As a previous poster said, I do look up nutritional info ahead of time and tend not to go anywhere that doesn't make nutritional info available - I'm okay with it being published online rather than on a menu (though the menu would be nice, if we decide to make a last minute change!) but I do think it should be published and accessible somewhere!
  • tissyazd
    tissyazd Posts: 221 Member
    It may cost the restaurants more to do the research, but they may get more business, too. I know I would eat out a lot more if I knew exactly what I am putting into my body. You can guess the main ingredients, but may not realize or think about some of the other ingredients they use. So, yes, I vote YES!
  • Skinman
    Skinman Posts: 24
    I voted yes. I feel any consumable item listed for purchase should at minimum, have the calories viewable in plain sight. Yes there might be the cost of new menus or stickers for marques, but the cost of health care in the long run and health insurance for obese employees should out way the cost.

    Of course having the calories listed is the first part. There needs to be an awakening of people starting in the schools on how to use this information correctly. People might roughly know many calories are recommended daily, but then have no idea what to do with that information. In the United States I feel we have let down generations by just teaching kids you need a healthy balanced diet and then serve unhealthy foods at lunch. Oh sorry for the rant, but since starting MFP I see how many years I have wasted being obese and trying to find an easy way out when it only took a life style change. I know now I will need to teach my son what took me 40 years to learn. lol
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    I think we should continue to do the research ourselves. That's the problem with society today. We expect everyone to do the work for us. Do the research yourself before you go out to eat.
    How can we do the research ourselves if the restaurants don't publish the information?

    I suppose we should also look up the prices of everything before we go to the grocery store instead of having them posted there. Since we expect everyone do to the work for us .... :tongue:
    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Couldn't help it, busted out laughing out loud on your response...priceless! no pun intended even! I agree with what you posted :drinker:
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    I think we should continue to do the research ourselves. That's the problem with society today. We expect everyone to do the work for us. Do the research yourself before you go out to eat.
    and the food places that don't carry it on the web? We should figure this out HOW?:smokin:

    The first line in this person's response?........ the more I think about it the more silly it sounds!:noway:
  • kidakiwi04
    kidakiwi04 Posts: 238
    I voted yes, If not on the actual menu then definately somewhere accessible either online or by some type of flier. Went to Applebee's a couple of days ago with a friend. She ordered the stuffed meatballs and pasta. Looked it up when I got home 1550 calories and a crap load of sodium :noway: . That one meal was more calories that I consume in an entire day (although not for lack of trying lol)
  • Beth720
    Beth720 Posts: 661 Member
    I'm pretty sure it's a law at least in NYC that ant place that's "fast food" has to show the calorie counts on the menus. Starbucks, McDonald's, movie theaters, etc. As I'm typing this, I'm thinking of one place that I would consider "fast food" that doesn't list the cals...so I'm not sure what's up with that. But I seem to remember it being a big deal a couple of years ago.

    I agree that it's definitely nice to have. But also I can see myself becoming obsessive about it - I have walked out of places muttering "too many calories!!" even if it was under my remaining amount. So it's sort of a double edged sword - it's good information, but can make you obsessive. And I don't have an obsessive personality, so I can only imagine if I did...
  • baker_c
    baker_c Posts: 251 Member
    YES, YES, YES!! You think your eating healthy when you have a grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat bun, what they don't tell you is they grilled your chicken in lemon butter and they put a huge glob of mayonase on your bun before they toasted it. Unless they put the caolires on the menus - you only think you are making a wise choice.

    I go online for calorie counts before I make my decisions now - This way I know.
  • AngelDog1
    AngelDog1 Posts: 89
    I would say "yes".
    But that's only if the calories and other nutritional items are accurate. I mean, I'm sure most reputable places would try their best to provide the most up to date information, but how do we really know for sure? Is there a research group or a committee or something that goes around to test everything on a menu just to make sure? Or are we as consumers just blindly assuming the posted nutrition is accurate? Just curious. :huh:
  • countrymama08
    countrymama08 Posts: 92
    I know I spoke with staff at Applebee's when they started with WW points on their menu. They said it was not cost effective since they had to weigh and measure each items going into the recipe/dish. I think this would be an issue with some people since the calorie count could be off based on the size of a chicken breast or amount of oil used. Things are not measured in a kitchen when they are preparing quickly.

    That said, I think if people understand this is accurateish then it would be nice. I would not like it on menus. I would like it available in some form whether it be website or flyer. Local establishments might be hurt by this is they are unable to publish it and remain in the black. I have heard they may be exempt.

    On the school lunch issue...I think a lot of nutritious eating needs to start at home.

    I know I have seen education on the food pyramid, proper portions, and healthy eating. The cafeteria serves french fries, baked nuggets, pizza, and other "junk." but they also serve a veggie daily and each student must take a fruit or veggie. Are they the tastiest? No, but then again... We have 2 cafe workers. One to take money and one to serve food. Between the budget, trying to accelerate academics, testing, federal core standards, and every other item in education, who will be paying for fresher food and more staff to cook and the hours needed.

    I see packed lunched of chips, cookies, and "lunchables." I have a few friends who cook dinner. Then I have a bunch of friends and see various students who eat chicken nuggets for dinner. One friend asks her daughter what she wants for dinner. She does not want her to have issues with food so she does not push her to eat what they are having for dinner. She eats cheerioes for dinner, pasta, or kid cuisine. By not pushing the issue and giving her a dinner she is not eating healthy.

    Sorry for the side track onto school lunch. I think it is a sticking point since I often hear people gripe but many don't carry through at home. Too many activities and too much work.

    A final thought on calories on menus. I think it is a good idea but I also think there are a lot of people who obsess about calories and being bad and not understanding nutrition. They will eat calories and not food.
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    I would say "yes".
    But that's only if the calories and other nutritional items are accurate. I mean, I'm sure most reputable places would try their best to provide the most up to date information, but how do we really know for sure? Is there a research group or a committee or something that goes around to test everything on a menu just to make sure? Or are we as consumers just blindly assuming the posted nutrition is accurate? Just curious. :huh:

    I heard somewhere that the calorie counts (and everything else) can be as much as 20% off. So the accuracy is definitely in question. Another reason I question the value of adding all those costs to every restaurant's overhead.

    We know the basics, right? avoid fried, creamy or cheesy, instead choose baked, steamed or grilled. Increase lean protein and veggies, reduce sugars , fats and salty seasonings. Even if you don't know an accurate calorie count, if you follow those kinds of guidelines, you won't go too far off the rails. Don't eat massive portion sizes. This is what I do when I go to a restaurant that doesn't have easily accessible info...
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    Or are we as consumers just blindly assuming the posted nutrition is accurate? Just curious. :huh:
    Unfortunately from what I've read when they did studies, it's very inaccurate, so though we work hard to look foods up, the cals/fats etc. they don't have to be precise, and often times up to 20% over what they say. Which seems alot to me. I rarely go out to eat, as in almost never anymore, it just doesn't appeal to me anymore. I can cook up whatever I'd like at home and have it far tastier, healthier, far less costly, leftovers and be fine with that. Blowing 1000 cals on a meal for a chicken sandwich doesn't appeal to me.

    I agree, I do think some take the web info far too seriously but not sure what the answer is for those that dine out often?

    Becca:flowerforyou:
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    hey- confirmation of the 20%....super-scary huh?
  • Cytherea
    Cytherea Posts: 515 Member
    I am surprised at how many people voted no!! I don't think the "nanny state" argument holds here at all. The government is not forcing the calorie/fat/etc. to be at or under a certain amount, they are requiring that the information is published, which is different. Personally, I'm all for the truth, however we come by it. I think that everything should be open. California passing the law about nutritional information perfectly coincided with my weight loss journey, and I am so grateful that it did. Sure, it won't help everybody, but for people who are health conscious, it will. They don't have to add it directly to the menu, many places have a supplementary "menu" with the dishes and the information listed. Some leave it on the table, some give it to you with the menu, and other places you have to ask, but they will find it for you. Personally, I think ANY of those options is ok, whatever is best for the restaurant. I don't like to go to chains, but sometimes you have to (say you are with friends or something) and I'd much rather be able to look it up beforehand or look at the information there and know what I'm eating rather than guess based on something else that may or may not be accurate. There are obvious guidelines to follow, but just because you got baked chicken doesn't mean that they didn't add a ton of oil when cooking it or who knows what else. Same thing goes for simple things, like vegetables and rice. If you ask for steamed vegetables, they add a ton of butter and salt to it. You have to ask for the steamed veggies plain, with nothing on them. Really annoying. And salad is never a good choice, even though it seems to be, and you have no idea what dressings are worse than others (other than creamy vs. oil-based)- they vary incredibly.

    Long story short, I voted yes. I prefer going to smaller, non-chain restaurants, but it is so hard when I know I'm just guessing/estimating the caloric/etc. value of everything I eat. I think they might get even more business if they published these things- I know that I certainly would give them more of my business!!
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    I am surprised at how many people voted no!! I don't think the "nanny state" argument holds here at all. The government is not forcing the calorie/fat/etc. to be at or under a certain amount, they are requiring that the information is published, which is different. Personally, I'm all for the truth, however we come by it. I think that everything should be open. California passing the law about nutritional information perfectly coincided with my weight loss journey, and I am so grateful that it did. Sure, it won't help everybody, but for people who are health conscious, it will. They don't have to add it directly to the menu, many places have a supplementary "menu" with the dishes and the information listed. Some leave it on the table, some give it to you with the menu, and other places you have to ask, but they will find it for you. Personally, I think ANY of those options is ok, whatever is best for the restaurant. I don't like to go to chains, but sometimes you have to (say you are with friends or something) and I'd much rather be able to look it up beforehand or look at the information there and know what I'm eating rather than guess based on something else that may or may not be accurate. There are obvious guidelines to follow, but just because you got baked chicken doesn't mean that they didn't add a ton of oil when cooking it or who knows what else. Same thing goes for simple things, like vegetables and rice. If you ask for steamed vegetables, they add a ton of butter and salt to it. You have to ask for the steamed veggies plain, with nothing on them. Really annoying. And salad is never a good choice, even though it seems to be, and you have no idea what dressings are worse than others (other than creamy vs. oil-based)- they vary incredibly.

    Long story short, I voted yes. I prefer going to smaller, non-chain restaurants, but it is so hard when I know I'm just guessing/estimating the caloric/etc. value of everything I eat. I think they might get even more business if they published these things- I know that I certainly would give them more of my business!!
    :flowerforyou:
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