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restaurant goers in the U.S.

mandasimba
mandasimba Posts: 782 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I see a lot of questions regarding the nutrition of restaurant foods. Affordable Care Act Section 4205. Apperantly it is not that well known, but **eta, I have the date wrong and am too tipsy to get it right atm**, all chain restaurants with 20 locations or more must provide their calorie count. Many restaurants, especially those with multiple locations, already provide their nutrition online. If you have a question about what is "healthiest" to order, look online first. Many of them already post them since the deadline is so close. Also, if it is a large chain, since the deadline is so close, you can most likely ask for the information in store and they will provide it..

Replies

  • Annalisa419
    Annalisa419 Posts: 64 Member
    Yeah, they mandated that in the county where I live for any restaurant a few years back. How many of the places I go actually have any clue what I'm talking about when I ask for nutritional information? Maybe 1 in 10.
  • mandasimba
    mandasimba Posts: 782 Member
    Yeah, they mandated that in the county where I live for any restaurant a few years back. How many of the places I go actually have any clue what I'm talking about when I ask for nutritional information? Maybe 1 in 10.

    Thanks. I don't eat out much so haven't looked many up. I didn't realize so many didn't do it! Perhaps if the restaurant doesn't, it is worth making note and speaking to a manager to try and make sure they do?
  • Crystal817
    Crystal817 Posts: 2,021 Member
    I see a lot of questions regarding the nutrition of restaurant foods. Affordable Care Act Section 4205. Apperantly it is not that well known, but **eta, I have the date wrong and am too tipsy to get it right atm**, all chain restaurants with 20 locations or more must provide their calorie count. Many restaurants, especially those with multiple locations, already provide their nutrition online. If you have a question about what is "healthiest" to order, look online first. Many of them already post them since the deadline is so close. Also, if it is a large chain, since the deadline is so close, you can most likely ask for the information in store and they will provide it..

    Has anyone heard of Texas Roadhouse? I'm assuming they have more than 20 locations, but when you go on their website, they say because all of their food is "made from scratch" it's impossible to give correct calorie counts! Hmmmm
  • kimi131
    kimi131 Posts: 1,058 Member
    I asked for their calorie count at Chili's once before the days of MFP, etc. They were so confused. It took them like 15 minutes to get a hold of their data for me. It was a mess. Apparently they are not familiar with that rule.
  • Crystal817
    Crystal817 Posts: 2,021 Member
    I asked for their calorie count at Chili's once before the days of MFP, etc. They were so confused. It took them like 15 minutes to get a hold of their data for me. It was a mess. Apparently they are not familiar with that rule.

    The Chili's here has the calories listed on the menu!
  • Hoppymom
    Hoppymom Posts: 1,158 Member
    You have to ask at Applebee's and Mongo's but the ydo have something. Mongo's only has the sauces. the meats and veggies are a guess.
  • Crystal817
    Crystal817 Posts: 2,021 Member
    You have to ask at Applebee's and Mongo's but the ydo have something. Mongo's only has the sauces. the meats and veggies are a guess.
    Must vary from state to state. Applebees (and most other chains) all have calorie info on the menu now.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i asked last night at red robin. she said they dont have that info available in store any more, but their website has a meal builder type thing, where even if you change the toppings/sauces on a burger and have a salad instead of fries it gives an accurate calorie count
  • 76tech
    76tech Posts: 1,455 Member
    Thanks much for the info, mandasimba. I know in my area there are several decent chain restaurants which do not list calories on the menu.
  • CannibalisticVegetarian
    CannibalisticVegetarian Posts: 1,255 Member
    I sure with the Mom'n'Pops restaurants did this, but it'd be too expensive I'm guessing. This little hidden gem called 'Johns' has the most insane tasting Greek salad. I asked about the calories only to receive a, 'Oooh you don't want to know. Probably about 900 something calories.. guessing off the top of my head"

    When going to other restaurants, I usually let my, "Eat this, not that' book choose for me.
    Some places have harder to find nutritional information. I look high and low in Captain D's and never see a pamphlet.
This discussion has been closed.

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