Restaurants should post calories

maryd523
maryd523 Posts: 661 Member
edited September 29 in Food and Nutrition
I have been somewhat frustrated the last couple times I go out to eat. I always ask for the nutritional information and usually they tell me to go online.

This just seems wrong. You wouldn't be expected to go online to check information before buying a can of soup, so why is it so difficult to find out which meal is going to be healthiest?

Some restaurants have the calories content listed right under the menu item, next to the price, and that is WONDERFUL. How great would it be if every restaurant had to do that? A significant amount of people would probably change their orders depending on it, and restaurants would be inclined to provide healthier options.

Maybe someday....
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Replies

  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    People still order crap regardless.


    BUT...

    As someone who doesn't order crap, I agree it'd be nice to see.
  • barbiex3
    barbiex3 Posts: 1,036 Member
    Story of my life. I used to be an out to eat junkie!! but now I only order the things on the menu labeled as under 550. Most places will have low cal or carb options listed. If they dont, then salad without dressing!! haha
  • tracivee
    tracivee Posts: 56 Member
    I think it would be nice to have it available upon request, but to mandate that is ridiculous. When you go to a restaurant, you know what is healthy and what is not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have the info online. Many people have internet on their phone. For those who do not--plan ahead or go with the salad. :)
  • RoseCoreling
    RoseCoreling Posts: 55 Member
    I totally agree!! I said this a few weeks ago in my nutrition class-I'm sure people would definitely appreciate seeing the nutritional info underneath/next to the listed menu item. When we go out to eat, I usually have to either-look online before we go, or when we get there hop on my droid and look at the nutrition info before I order. It's kind of a hassle and would SO much easier if they posted it on the menu!
  • chubswonky
    chubswonky Posts: 195
    They do in New York! :)
  • AmyBMelt13
    AmyBMelt13 Posts: 20
    Red Lobster has the calories on their menus!!! It's awesome.
  • LikeNoOneElse84
    LikeNoOneElse84 Posts: 475 Member
    I agree. I would love to see the basic nutritional values posted. Even McDonalds now does it so you would think the "nicer" restaurants would do it.
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    by the middle of 2012 around here anyways (New England) there is going to be law stating that they have to put their nutritional info on the menu...*squeee* very excited.
  • CARNAT22
    CARNAT22 Posts: 764 Member
    I think it would be nice to have it available upon request, but to mandate that is ridiculous. When you go to a restaurant, you know what is healthy and what is not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have the info online. Many people have internet on their phone. For those who do not--plan ahead or go with the salad. :)

    I kind of agree.

    If I decide to opt for something that will take me way over my calories then that is my problem.

    I know enough about food and nutrition to know that going for a creamy pasta dish with bread on the side is going to be much more calorific than a chicken dish with salad.
  • maryd523
    maryd523 Posts: 661 Member
    I think it would be nice to have it available upon request, but to mandate that is ridiculous. When you go to a restaurant, you know what is healthy and what is not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have the info online. Many people have internet on their phone. For those who do not--plan ahead or go with the salad. :)

    I have to strongly disagree with you. I worked at a popular Italian restaurant for years and some of the options you think are "healthiest" are extremely high-calorie with sodium sky-high.

    Maybe it would be "ridiculous" to mandate nutritional information if we were a nation of fit, slim, healthy people. But we are not. We are fat. So maybe providing some information, which in no way infringes upon any rights whatsoever, is a good start.

    P.S. Besides, knowledge is power. It's always better to have the information and then choose whether to ignore it, then to not have it at all.
  • ChitownFoodie
    ChitownFoodie Posts: 1,562 Member
    Theres a lot of restaurants in Chicago that already do that. Actually, by the end of the year, any chain restaurant that has more than 20 restaurants are required to. I eat out every single day because my job has a lot of lunch meetings. I haven't had one issue with it. I actually think I have mastered the art of staying under calories while still being a full fledged foodie.
  • Kolohe71
    Kolohe71 Posts: 613 Member
    by the middle of 2012 around here anyways (New England) there is going to be law stating that they have to put their nutritional info on the menu...*squeee* very excited.
    California has this for fast food, but sit down type restaurants aren't required to post. Although, I expect this to change soon.
  • jodazary
    jodazary Posts: 144 Member
    starting in 2014 all resturants will have to have nutrition info readily available either on the menu or in the restuarant in form of a pamplet but that is still 3 years away any fast food place i have been in will give you a pamplet with all the info if you ask except subway wonder what they are hiding? logans ( for those of you who have them ) wont even provide the info on line i emailed em and was told it was not available
  • mindy14456
    mindy14456 Posts: 552 Member
    I agree, I do a lot of planning before I go out, going online to look at the menu and nutritional information. Would be so great if it was right there, so you didn't have to plan but could go out spur of the moment.
  • kaaatielove
    kaaatielove Posts: 248 Member
    They do in New York! :)

    My dietician and I were talking about this topic the other day and she mentioned that in New York it is a law to provide atleast the Calories next to a menu item.. Her daughter works in times square at TGI Fridays and the nutritional info is on their menu.. I think it's a great idea and it shouldnt be just New York that mandates it..
    On another note... If i know im going to a restaurant- i always check online before I go and get a good idea of what i would want to order.. It helps!
  • bstamps12
    bstamps12 Posts: 1,184
    I have mixed feelings with how much it would help the average person if calories were posted. So the dish is 900 calories? What does that mean? Unfortunately the average person has no clue how many calories they should be eating so besides seeing the dishes relative to each other, it doesn't give them the info they need.

    That said, it would help me! And my wonderful MFP friends and other health conscious people who like to enjoy a nice dinner and know how many calories we can eat within a healthy range. I think if they can post it online, can't they have a flyer at the restaurant that I can look at? Is that really so hard? I don't have a smartphone so I can't get online after I leave my house and if I am already out of the house and decide to eat out, I have no way of knowing exactly how many calories I am ordering until I have eaten it and get back home. (Yes, I know what is generally healthy but I hate caloric surprises and they are all too common!)
  • jrueckert
    jrueckert Posts: 355 Member
    The FDA is passing a new requirement that large restaurant chains will have to list calories right on the menu like they do in NY
  • RoseCoreling
    RoseCoreling Posts: 55 Member
    I think it would be nice to have it available upon request, but to mandate that is ridiculous. When you go to a restaurant, you know what is healthy and what is not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have the info online. Many people have internet on their phone. For those who do not--plan ahead or go with the salad. :)

    I disagree. With larger than life portions nowadays and a growing obesity epidemic, by posting nutritional information can potentially help someone who is unaware make better decisions. Also, you don't necessarily "know" what is healthy vs. not-Especially at a restaurant. One might see "grilled vegetables" listed on a menu, thinking it's a healthy option, but little do they know, the grilled veggies are grilled in a bunch of clarified butter. One can't always calorically judge a menu item based on the description.
  • nextrightthing
    nextrightthing Posts: 408 Member
    I would love to see it posted on the menu. You still totally have the choice of choosing what ever you want....if you want to order the higher calorie items then okay. Sometimes food items you think would be a good choice aren't when you see the actual nutritional info for the item. You can see all the nutritional info on items in the grocery store and I always check that out before I buy an item.
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    I think it would be nice to have it available upon request, but to mandate that is ridiculous. When you go to a restaurant, you know what is healthy and what is not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have the info online. Many people have internet on their phone. For those who do not--plan ahead or go with the salad. :)

    I have to strongly disagree with you. I worked at a popular Italian restaurant for years and some of the options you think are "healthiest" are extremely high-calorie with sodium sky-high.

    Maybe it would be "ridiculous" to mandate nutritional information if we were a nation of fit, slim, healthy people. But we are not. We are fat. So maybe providing some information, which in no way infringes upon any rights whatsoever, is a good start.
    It infringes on the rights of the business owner, and creates a burden on them. Nobody has to eat at a place that doesn't post the nutritional content. Let's let the business owners choose how they run their business, and the consumers choose who they patronize. The free market will always result in better products and service than any government mandate will. Yes, obesity is a problem in the United States, but it is not the government's responsibility to be our nanny. Remember, as we cede our rights to the government in the name of protecting us, we lose more of our liberties (as entrepreneurs and consumers). Time to take care of ourselves, and not depend on the government. Tell me... what has the government done well that private business doesn't do better? Health care for vets? The postal system? Yeesh...

    In a nutshell... if you don't like that a place doesn't post their nutrition facts (which could be way off anyway, depending on who is cooking that night), don't patronize that business.
  • devineyallen
    devineyallen Posts: 33
    Yes restaurants definitely need to post the calories! My family is planning on going to olive garden tonight to celebrate one of my aunt's birthdays, so i research the nutrition on the menu online... Come to find out besides the salad (with no dressing) and some soups most things they have are 600 or more calories with 25 or more grams of fat! So I will be eating before i go there tonight so I won't be tempted. A lot of chain restaurants offer the nutritional value of their food items. I worked at chili's bar and grill and we had the nutrition information printed out and available to guests when needed.
  • mstorious
    mstorious Posts: 13 Member
    This is one thing I love about California. It is a state law that any chain restaurant provide nutritional information on the menu!
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    Not that I want to kill a bunch of trees, but I feel that if they have it online, they should also have a printed copy if someone asks. I doubt many places are too keen on putting in on the menu because some people will see just how bad some of their best sellers are.

    Next time they tell you to go online, you should ask them to provide the computer and internet for you. lol
  • brianna626
    brianna626 Posts: 156
    What about places that the information is not available on line. I went to two restaurants recently, Senior Baja and Lucille's BBQ. Both do not provide nutritional information at the restaurant or on-line! When I asked Lucille's they said I would have to call corporate. Seriously! It should be required for all restaurants to post nutritional information somewhere, I would prefer the menu but at least somewhere available online!
  • Gulfgrammy
    Gulfgrammy Posts: 16 Member
    I agree whole heartedly ! But since, in most cases, they don't I go online ahead of time and select from their menu what I plan to eat. I love doing this. That way I can plan my meal ahead and don't over indulge for the day . It's so easy. I usually type in the restaurant's name under add a food on my food journal . Their food selections will show up. It takes me a little time but is so worth it. When I go out I can relax and not worry about my food. I also have the MFP ap on my phone. I check out my foods on it when I go on spur of the moment dining out.
  • tracivee
    tracivee Posts: 56 Member
    That's why you plan ahead if it's that important to you.

    Yes, by mandating a restaurant do something just because it makes your life more convenient, is infringing upon their rights. A business should be free to run its establishment as it sees fit. If they find their customers would like that info post it and they think it's worth the money to have menus reprinted, than they'll do so. But to make them do it is wrong, IMO.

    I really doubt people would be thin if they posted the cals next to menus either. McDonald's posts the info on their wrappers...are people skinnier since they've done so? Did people stop shoving Big Macs down their throats once they saw the calorie info? Are people skinnier since all these restaurants started posting nutrition info on their bulletin boards and stuff? NO, people are fat as ever. It's because they're busy, or they like what they eat, or any number of other reasons. The information is very attainable already.

    If you want to be sure you know what you're eating is healthy, then eat at home. Once enough people do that, the restaurants will voluntarily post info. Force is not necessary.
  • picturesing
    picturesing Posts: 228
    I have been somewhat frustrated the last couple times I go out to eat. I always ask for the nutritional information and usually they tell me to go online.

    This just seems wrong. You wouldn't be expected to go online to check information before buying a can of soup, so why is it so difficult to find out which meal is going to be healthiest?

    Some restaurants have the calories content listed right under the menu item, next to the price, and that is WONDERFUL. How great would it be if every restaurant had to do that? A significant amount of people would probably change their orders depending on it, and restaurants would be inclined to provide healthier options.

    Maybe someday....
    OMG....let's start a petition on that "Change.Org site!!!!!!!!
    I SO agree. We went to Applebee's recently, it has never been a fav place for me but mom wanted to go....and what do I discover?! EVERYTHING on the menu has a cal value....and I mean EVERYTHING!!!! :love:
    I was able to have a yummy meal and stay within the cals I wanted to. :heart:
    Now if only Red Lobster will get on board!!!!! And really every big chain out there should be doing this - maybe they will wise up and initiate this w/o a mandate!!!!
    We do have a lot of people which ='s power on this site. Just saying!!!! :drinker:
  • NA_Willie
    NA_Willie Posts: 340 Member
    I went to Texas Roadhouse a few weeks ago and I asked if they had the nutritional info for their foods. I checked online and they do not have any nutritional info listed. When the waiter said they do not I just continued to eat because my meal wasnt that hard to track (sirloin/salad/green beans.) The GM came over like they always do and asked if everything was okay and I just asked if they had nutritional info and she said that they do not but she told me to check on a website called myfitnesspal.com and they have info listed. So my question is how the hell does MFP get this information when the GM of the store dosent even know?
  • Reverie09
    Reverie09 Posts: 48 Member
    I agree that all restaurants should have to have at least the calories posted. Sometimes picking the "healthier sounding" choice is not picking the lower calorie choice. I was pleasantly surprised when I went into chuck e cheese the other day and saw that they now have all the calories listed next to the menu item. Turns out I could eat quite a bit of pizza and it would still be less calories than their grilled chicken sandwich. I would never have guessed. If they hadn't had the calories posted I would have surely had the grilled chicken and been supremely p*ssed when I got home!
  • maryd523
    maryd523 Posts: 661 Member
    I think it would be nice to have it available upon request, but to mandate that is ridiculous. When you go to a restaurant, you know what is healthy and what is not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have the info online. Many people have internet on their phone. For those who do not--plan ahead or go with the salad. :)

    I have to strongly disagree with you. I worked at a popular Italian restaurant for years and some of the options you think are "healthiest" are extremely high-calorie with sodium sky-high.

    Maybe it would be "ridiculous" to mandate nutritional information if we were a nation of fit, slim, healthy people. But we are not. We are fat. So maybe providing some information, which in no way infringes upon any rights whatsoever, is a good start.
    It infringes on the rights of the business owner, and creates a burden on them. Nobody has to eat at a place that doesn't post the nutritional content. Let's let the business owners choose how they run their business, and the consumers choose who they patronize. The free market will always result in better products and service than any government mandate will. Yes, obesity is a problem in the United States, but it is not the government's responsibility to be our nanny. Remember, as we cede our rights to the government in the name of protecting us, we lose more of our liberties (as entrepreneurs and consumers). Time to take care of ourselves, and not depend on the government. Tell me... what has the government done well that private business doesn't do better? Health care for vets? The postal system? Yeesh...

    In a nutshell... if you don't like that a place doesn't post their nutrition facts (which could be way off anyway, depending on who is cooking that night), don't patronize that business.

    Do you have a problem with nutrional information being mandated on anything and almost everything you buy in the grocery store? Even imported products need that information. Going to a restaurant is not like going to someone's house for dinner. They want things to taste good, and they don't care if that means putting 2500 grams of sodium in a grilled salmon dinner (yes, that's from the restaurant I worked at) or 2200 calories in a single portion of spaghetti and meatballs.

    I believe that consumers have a right to know what they are putting in their bodies, and that making some laws to provide basic nutritional information is not going to infringe upon what the restaurant can and can not do, it will just cost them some money to get the testing done.
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