Calories posted on menus, would it influence how you order?

Yes, big time !!

Our local news released an article yesterday on how innaccurate restaurant food guides can be. In fact, one person found that a Mcdonalds sandwich was actually 100 calorie sover what what listed. I would never trust them so I either make on occaision of eating out or just try to ballpark it!

Most people on this site probably would be influenced. Now when I'm not trying to lose weight, it probably wouldn't sway me from getting it. It might alter how much I eat of it. This is a new study that shows that most advertised calorie counts are wrong anyway.

It most definitely would! I'm kind of glad they are not posted because I only eat out for a cheat meal and I'd rather not know during that one time! lol. I do think it's helpful though, if you are someone who eats out a lot and is trying to make healthier food choices. Most people thinking going to a restaurant and eating soup and salad is healthy when in fact, it is not. Ever notice how few salads are on menus in the healthy choice section? I usually only see one or two.

It's the law here in California that that information has to be posted (at chain restaurants). It absolutely influences me in my choices.

Absolutely! I'm a sucker for numbers and I'll almost order the lowest cal thing on the menu, even if it's not what I originally wanted...

It would be great!!! our local pub has recently changed comapanies so I've just looked at the new website to see if any MORE meals with cals had been added to the menu as they used to have about 4 or 5 that were listed...

The new company hasn't posted a menu to the website so I don't know if there have been any advnces, but I did see this...

http://www.flaminggrillpubs.com/fg/pages/food-and-drinks/challenge-burger/c

How my tastes have changed. This made me feel quite nauseous, at one time I'd have been quite excited at the thought of meeting the challenge!

I think that for the most part people on MFP are going to say it would influence their decision because they're focused on what they are putting into their body for some kind of fitness goal (be it losing weight, gaining weight, gaining muscle or whatever). But most American consumers don't care. That can be evidenced by seeing the shopping carts of most people in the supermarkets. As you mentioned, most people ignore the nutrition facts on everyday products. Going out to eat isn't going to make many people change their ways.

For the most part, I am concerned with that I eat when I go out if it's not something I was planning on doing. For instance, if someone invites me to lunch last minute and I had a general plan of what I am going to eat for the day, I might "eyeball" the selections where we are going to see if I can stick to the same general amount of calories. But if I am going out and having a good time, no, I don't care at all. I'll have a margarita and too many salty, fried tortilla chips with salsa and then a bean and cheese burrito because that is what it's all about. It's not an everyday thing so who cares? Have some fun!

I can see both sides...

If I'm out on a gotta satisfy this craving run (which may point to the example in the article of a Double Down or Cold Stone Creamery ice cream) it wouldn't matter because I want what I want and don't care. For instance, this weekend I was hanging with my besties and got a full fat raspberry chip ice cream on a dipped waffle cone and fully enjoyed it!

However if I was travelling for business or on vacation, I would rather know what the calories are so I'm not overindulging on a regular basis. In those cases, you're just trying to have a regular meal, it's not a special occassion.

I won't go to a restaurant anymore without looking up NI first. I know of one place that won't list most of their NI online. Pretty sad if you ask me.

If I can't make it fit into my calories for the day, I just plain and simple don't eat it. Eating high calorie, junk is what got me to being obese, and I have made up my mind that I WON'T go back there again.

Yes it does - they have a place over here in the UK called the Harvester which does, and my usual is 400 calories more (970) than my 2nd favorite meal, and I know I can make my favorite meal at home for less calories, so it makes a huge difference to me

It would definitely influence me. I would usually order something lower in calories (but not something I don't like) but even if I decided to order something with more calories I would have a better idea of what portions to eat.

So, when you are dining out, if the calories/nutrition of each entree were listed on the menu, would it influence what you choice to eat/order?

I watched a news report last night which concluded most people would not be swayed by knowing what the calories are in their favorite Stone Cold Creamery Milkshake or KFC Double Down sandwich. I personally LOVE it when the calories are posted. It is ABSOLUTELY the determining factor in my decision making process.

I personally used the nutrition posted to aid with my breakfast decision at Starbucks in NYC and what breakfast sandwich I ate at 30th street station in Philadelphia! I think it would be a real eye opener to a LOT of people.

If I know I'm going to eat out I go out and look at the menu and plan before I get there. If I'm were the type of person to order the items from Stone Cold or KFC it wouldn't matter to me because I'm already planning on eating over 1000 calories in that meal (general estimation). I think they're asking the wrong people at the wrong places.

I alternate on this topic.

On the one hand I think most people eat out quite sporadically and it is a treat so I think they shouldn't be too concerned with what they eat - for one night? If a person wants to make the healthy choice they will.

However I eat out quite a bit (maybe once a week) and I do sometimes plead ignorance to myself and indulge.. If I could see the calories in black and white it would push me towards the best option. For the most part I do make good choices but would the calorie info help me on those few occasions I really 'want' something that isn't the most healthy option?

Ultimately the only person who can decide what I put into my body is me and I don't need nutritional information to tell me that a huge bowl or creamy pasta with wine and garlic bread is going to be a lot more calorific than a small portion of tomato based pasta with side salad and water.

Actiually, more people are like you, and eat out quite a bit. I think it is a good idea to have calories posted. It's an eye opener. Yes, people could choose to ignore, but they couldn't fall back on the excuse "well, I THOUGHT it was healthy."

So to answer the question, it would (and has, on a recent IHOP trip) influenced my decision, IF I cared THAT DAY. If it was a treat, I would put it to the back of my mind (and hit reality when I came back to MFP to log it!)

it depends, if i want a burger and fries, im going to get it still, but if the calories are posted i would make a wiser decision in which type of burger i wanted. i rarely eat out at a sit down restaurant. Im talking about maybe a couple times a year at the most. We do fast food about once a month. On some occasions though, i wont care either way.

So, when you are dining out, if the calories/nutrition of each entree were listed on the menu, would it influence what you choice to eat/order?

I watched a news report last night which concluded most people would not be swayed by knowing what the calories are in their favorite Stone Cold Creamery Milkshake or KFC Double Down sandwich. I personally LOVE it when the calories are posted. It is ABSOLUTELY the determining factor in my decision making process.

I personally used the nutrition posted to aid with my breakfast decision at Starbucks in NYC and what breakfast sandwich I ate at 30th street station in Philadelphia! I think it would be a real eye opener to a LOT of people.

We eat out far too often but I love when the info is available in the restaurant. Often times I am trying to decide between a few different options. Sometimes the calories is the deciding factor. There is a Jason's Deli in out area. There are two vegetarian wraps on the menu. They are virtually the same...at least I can't tell a significant difference...one is about 200 cals less than the other...so yes..since I have had them both and don't really prefer one over the other I go with the lower calorie. I doesn't always come into play but often times it would help me decided between choice A or choice B. If I was on one of my few dates a year with my hubby it may or may not make a difference.