tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post4455302690869904927..comments2024-03-15T04:01:53.036-04:00Comments on Cranky Fitness: Should Restaurant Menus Fess Up To Calories Counts?Crabby McSlackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-60097660304524812462009-10-09T22:26:15.656-04:002009-10-09T22:26:15.656-04:00I find it annoying trying to keep within a calorie...I find it annoying trying to keep within a calorie budget when I go to a restaurant and find they do not list the calorie count on their meals. I still take my meal there but after today I will leave the restaurant if they do not list their calories.<br /><br />It is not about being nannied. I am trying to control my own diet but as a single adult I do not have the time to spend 30 min to an hour preparing meals. Even so proper nutrition is not taught anymore, not at home or at school. I have no idea how to prepare a healthy meal that is low in calories. <br /><br />I am slightly over weight and have been surprised since counting calories (to lose it) how often people consume an entire days worth in one meal.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-49545424094662691182009-03-30T16:55:00.000-04:002009-03-30T16:55:00.000-04:00I do agree that it wouldn't be completely accurate...I do agree that it wouldn't be completely accurate due to different cooking styles, but it would at least give some base to start from. then again, this is why i rarely eat out!!One week direct diethttp://www.oneweekdietdirect.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-44706972589182169852009-03-29T22:58:00.000-04:002009-03-29T22:58:00.000-04:00After reading just the title, this was going to be...After reading just the title, this was going to be a short comment of no, simply because given that I don't go out to restaurants often, I just want to enjoy my meal. <BR/><BR/>But after seeing the burger in the picture I realised what restaurants you are talking about. I make the assumption that most people know that not much healthy stuff comes out of a fast food restaurant and therefore should not be treated as a regular place to eat, but an occasional treat. So would it achieve anything for most people? I doubt it.Spring Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01122505632533994205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-51727014882523697492009-03-29T18:48:00.000-04:002009-03-29T18:48:00.000-04:00I used to think I would love having calories on th...I used to think I would love having calories on the menu. But truly, if you eat out, you really have no idea what calories you are getting. Most of the time, published counts are underestimating, if anything. <BR/><BR/>I'm beginning to think the answer is just to eat smaller portions and make the healthiest choices I can. And be willing to ask for healthy alternates. Even at chain restaurants, they are usually willing to accomodate if you ask for extra veggies instead of a potato. And they are willing to bring dressings and toppings on the side.<BR/><BR/>OTOH... I would've made a different and better choice a week or so ago if the calorie info had been right there handy. I had no idea that the calories on an omelet could vary so much! This also seems to be true with salads as well! <BR/><BR/>Whether I actually would've gotten fewer calories, I don't know. Perhaps having the calorie counts available in a brochure on the table with the "specials" would be a way to have the info present, without it being on the menu.<BR/><BR/>At any rate, living in a small town, I've not yet seen calories listed on any menu. Perhaps I'll feel differently when actually confronted with the fact.Cynthiahttp://www.garbagethatgoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-71817282475820820062009-03-29T18:03:00.000-04:002009-03-29T18:03:00.000-04:00I think I have a right to know what I am eating. I...I think I have a right to know what I am eating. If you don't want to know, then ignore it. Why is that so hard?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-10537379135924934422009-03-29T14:33:00.000-04:002009-03-29T14:33:00.000-04:00I think there is a big different between the gover...I think there is a big different between the government forcing businesses to do things and the government forcing regular Janes and Joes to do things.<BR/><BR/>I think regulations that keep our food supply safe, for example, are good things! Regulations that keep cigarette companies from targeting children with their ads, etc. We need protection from businesses in my opinion. More, even, than we have now perhaps.<BR/><BR/>Nutrition labels on foods we buy at the grocery store are nothing but helpful. People can ignore them or not. What's the big difference with eat-out food? I say, knowledge is power. Ignore it if you want. It's jarring right now because it's brand-new but pretty soon those who want to ignore it will be able to tune it out, just like they do with nutrition labels. That's their right and these regulations are not taking away any consumers' rights, IMO.nolafwughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05657418424788752053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-38474904568880620162009-03-29T10:58:00.000-04:002009-03-29T10:58:00.000-04:00I don't care whether they do or don't... but Crank...I don't care whether they do or don't... but Cranky I'm with you on those bloomin onions. Once in a while having one is like being in hog heaven!cari from ditch diets live lighthttp://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/food-myths.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-917120055730173342009-03-29T07:20:00.000-04:002009-03-29T07:20:00.000-04:00I think the longer NI is required on menu items, t...I think the longer NI is required on menu items, the more people will get used to it, just like we did with nutrition labels on every food item in the store. You can choose to ignore it or you can choose to read it. Even if the info isn't completely 100 percent all the time right, I'd be willing to bet that most of the time it would be pretty close. <BR/><BR/>It's just information, folks. The more the better, I say. <BR/><BR/>And thanks for the shout-out! At least, I think so :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17682654311294278511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-992080477792715212009-03-29T00:17:00.000-04:002009-03-29T00:17:00.000-04:00Wow that's one darn heart attack sitting there. I ...Wow that's one darn heart attack sitting there. I call it blood clot.Adamhttp://www.getfitfatboy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-14979071209752891832009-03-28T19:32:00.000-04:002009-03-28T19:32:00.000-04:00As a sidenote, while I appreciate the calorie coun...As a sidenote, while I appreciate the calorie count law, I wish that it went even further. Posting calories along with fat, fiber, protein and sodium would be a huge improvement. As of now, I still visit the restaurant's website to find this info because it's often impossible to locate it at the counter (or printed in such tiny lettering it's impossible to read). If I'm ordering something new, I whip out my iPhone and visit the site while I am on line so i can be prepared when I get to the register. Knowing that something is 300 calories is nice. Knowing that those 300 calories contain like 18g of fat and 600mg of sodium gives you a much different picture of what you're eating (or not eating).Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04128920201341212419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-71016769309990207382009-03-28T19:26:00.000-04:002009-03-28T19:26:00.000-04:00I'm a big fan of the new calorie/nutrition pos...I'm a big fan of the new calorie/nutrition posting laws here in NYC. Now that I track Weight Watchers points, it actually has me visiting a few fast food joints /more/ often than I ever would have considered before. Previously I would have dismissed those places as having nothing worthwhile for me. Sure, it's tasty and tempting, but a Baconator or a Nachos Bel Grande is not really part of a balanced diet!<BR/><BR/>I went into Taco Bell a few days after I started Weight Watchers, after the NYC posting law kicked in and discovered that Taco Bell had embraced the law and were also highlighting several selections that were very "points-friendly." I now have a Fresco Crunchy Taco or two (3 pts each) with a salad (veggies only + my own healthy dressing) for lunch on occasion and I enjoy it so much I feel like I'm "cheating." Would I eat that every day? Certainly not. But it's a convenient option every now and then when I am rushed for lunch. At Wendy's I discovered that while I still can't justify a Baconator, chili, a salad with my own dressing and low fat sour cream & chives potato is tasty and satisfying. <BR/><BR/>Of course, I know in theory that removing cheese and the high-fat sour cream from a meal goes a long way toward making it "healthier", but I wouldn't have believed that those palces had reasonable choices for me. I would have assumed the points value was much higher than it is. By providing me with nutritional info, Taco Bell and Wendy's are making more money from me now, rather than losing a customer, which is what they (and I) feared would happen.Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04128920201341212419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-43658737673078942032009-03-28T17:34:00.000-04:002009-03-28T17:34:00.000-04:00My allergies want the ingredients list! Mary Anne ...My allergies want the ingredients list! <BR/><BR/>Mary Anne in Kentuckysolarityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03606487180967915130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-75565506386389530882009-03-28T12:19:00.000-04:002009-03-28T12:19:00.000-04:00YES. I think there should absolutely be nutrition ...YES. I think there should absolutely be nutrition information right there. If someone doesn't want to know, then they don't have to look. But we ought to be able to see the information- even if it IS wrong, at least we can have some kind of ballpark!<BR/><BR/>Wish they'd show the ingredients lists, too, so we could know what kind of crap is in there...Saganhttp://livinghealthyintherealworld.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-19590165066478425072009-03-28T11:44:00.000-04:002009-03-28T11:44:00.000-04:00wow i say yes... and no... yes because inquiring m...wow i say yes... and no... yes because inquiring minds want to know.. no since it's a caveat emptor thang anyway.. (like the one reply who said the cook adds the dollop of butter anyway)... <BR/><BR/>personal responsibility .. good times people<BR/>gpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-3864072568456351602009-03-28T00:17:00.000-04:002009-03-28T00:17:00.000-04:00I seldom get a chance to eat in a restaurant, so I...I seldom get a chance to eat in a restaurant, so I don't really want to know. <BR/>*sticks head firmly back into sand*the Bag Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17434610508260994331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-3184383837013395132009-03-27T23:23:00.000-04:002009-03-27T23:23:00.000-04:00No. I'm with Azusmom on this one: coming from an ...No. I'm with Azusmom on this one: coming from an ED background, seeing the calories posted freaks me out. Ironically, at this point in my life, I'm likely to look up the calorie content online; it's the (totally neurotic and untrue but nonetheless crazy-making) belief that EVERYONE is looking at me and judging what I eat, and that if I have any extra fat anywhereanywhere on my body, I don't DESERVE to eat that burger, or even the salad, but maybe that side salad would be ok, but NODRESSING because someone will wonder why I'm eating more than 100 calories at a sitting, and ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod . . . <BR/><BR/>And then I either stop eating altogether or I go home and binge and cry. (Ironically, my weight doesn't seem to have much to do with it, either, though I've noticed it's actually WORSE when I'm thin.)<BR/><BR/>Please no calorie counts. Hand out pamphlets, post it on websites, whatever, but for the love of God, leave it off the main menu.Marstehttp://www.takeupyourbedandwalk.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-20751073782555063282009-03-27T21:12:00.000-04:002009-03-27T21:12:00.000-04:00If I go to a restaurant and order a couple of choc...If I go to a restaurant and order a couple of chocolate eclairs, the waitress is going to judge me whether the calories are listed on the menu or not.<BR/>The nice thing about being an adult is you don't have to spend your time worrying about other people judging you. <BR/>I am so grateful that high school was only four years long.<BR/><I>Thank you God!!!</I>The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-13078615743205374302009-03-27T21:06:00.000-04:002009-03-27T21:06:00.000-04:00How about posting what kind of antibiotics they pu...How about posting what kind of antibiotics they pump in their cows? Or whether or not their chickens get sunlight and exercise? Or whether the tomatoes are genetically modified?<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, it speaks volumes about our society that we would demand and legislate that calorie counts be posted on our menus while neglecting much more serious health and ethical issues.<BR/><BR/>And <B>April</B>: The people judging you: their problem, not yours. But it hurts all the same, I know...Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12503183987906575422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-45076137524764477312009-03-27T18:54:00.000-04:002009-03-27T18:54:00.000-04:00Here in Washington restaurants are required to hav...Here in Washington restaurants are required to have this information available. In restaurants it's usually an insert in the drink/dessert menu; in fast food places, it's by the prices. Usually in print I can't really read - and the prices have shrunk too, to make room, which I find really annoying.<BR/><BR/>I'm more than a little disturbed by the comments here about how stupid "most people" (the speaker being automatically excluded, of course) are. As if the only reason someone would choose the more calorific options is stupidity, not because, oh I don't know, they taste good. All that attitude does is reinforce the stereotype that fat people are stupid. And having the information in plain view makes it that much easier for people who are into that sort of thing to judge other people's food choices. "No one is trying to regulate what you order" - except that <A HREF="http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/01/no-fat-people-allowed-only-slim-will-be.html" REL="nofollow">they are</A>. I'm just shocked at how much contempt there is in this post for people who dare to go to a restaurant and <I>eat what they want</I>. Really? Food with more than X calories is equivalent to crack cocaine? <I>Really?</I><BR/><BR/>Being an adult isn't about always making decisions other people would approve of. It's about taking the responsibility for the choices you make, and to deal with the consequences. That includes the choice to be uninformed. Or to eat whatever the heck you feel like eating. Part of becoming an adult is learning how to figure out for yourself when you're being irresponsible - without needing someone else to tell you. In fact, not allowing someone to figure that out for themselves is forcing them to be the "child" to the "nanny" you're putting in charge. That seems to me to be the opposite of the intended effect.<BR/> <BR/>All that being said, I don't mind having the nutrition info easily available, as long as it's something you have to make a conscious choice to see by turning a page or looking at a particular sign. I do wish there would be more info than just calories, because calories by themselves are pretty meaningless. Ideally I'd like a book (or binder, since menus change frequently) of the same sort of nutrition guides as on packaged food to be available. I think it's wrong for companies to do their best to hide that information, as some do. But I don't think it should be forced on anyone, either.Gretchenhttp://doingitwrongblog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-56516377028088797192009-03-27T18:38:00.000-04:002009-03-27T18:38:00.000-04:00Naw, not a requirement. I think it could be good b...Naw, not a requirement. I think it could be good business to have the information readily available though. I saw that Seinfeld episode too Miz! Funny stuff!Mark Salinashttp://marksalinas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-36472993365721261412009-03-27T16:18:00.000-04:002009-03-27T16:18:00.000-04:00I have mixed feelings as well. I know there are pe...I have mixed feelings as well. I know there are people out there that are clueless even with all the information available online, on the news, on the "entertainment" programs and more. BUT, there are also the ones that just want to pretend that all is fine & continue to lie to themselves.<BR/><BR/>If there was a reputable study that proved across the board that people made better choices when faced with the nutritional values on the menu, I would say go for it. For those of us that already know this stuff, it would just be something to read & we also know that not all restaurants are "truthful" with this info!For others it could help if they want to face the truth.<BR/><BR/>In general, this information is available if you ask the restaurant or online (if you plan ahead).... but some just don't go there.<BR/><BR/>It would not bother me to see it there but I can see how it is an "invasion" to others. I just would like to see anything that would help people make better choices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-56886697766133940542009-03-27T16:09:00.000-04:002009-03-27T16:09:00.000-04:00I tend to be against government regulation. I'd l...I tend to be against government regulation. I'd like to see the government end the war, fix the economy, and patch the potholes. I'd like to see the consumers request nutrition information - and not just calorie counts. We all know the "snackwell" principle - less fat but more calories... So, I like the information but I don't want the government mandating it.<BR/><BR/>Besides, I KNOW how to eat well. That's why if I want to eat well, I eat at home. If I'm going out, it's BURGER TIME!Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10066852282205921107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-78703120922263919562009-03-27T15:53:00.000-04:002009-03-27T15:53:00.000-04:00Sorry if this has already been posted, but with th...Sorry if this has already been posted, but with the prevalence of disordered eating out there, I say no. Maybe have a pamphlet available for the people who want it, but for a lot of folks, having calorie counts right in their faces could be a huge trigger.<BR/>I can understand allergen info, though. That could actually be helpful!azusmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833120044345423052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-21312747982749306372009-03-27T14:20:00.000-04:002009-03-27T14:20:00.000-04:00That's really interesting, that requiring that the...That's really interesting, that requiring that the information be posted is changing restaurant practices and consumer behavior. That really leans me in the direction of having this info required, although I'm more inclined to want the information to be available on request instead. In my way of eating, the number that sways me most when dining out are the carbs and sugars first, then total calories. I do a lot of looking up online before going to a chain restaurant, and I have my default items for the more common ones.Pubsgalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05636089392777186992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-88945699481089691402009-03-27T13:42:00.000-04:002009-03-27T13:42:00.000-04:00I'm sorry.....but that burger looks wonderful.OMG,...I'm sorry.....but that burger looks wonderful.<BR/>OMG, I am so bad.<BR/>I LOVE your blog.Hilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02528439226293446420noreply@blogger.com