Calories on Menus!
Apparently, their is a new rule out that may make it so all chain restaurants have to post calories right on their menus. I really hope this happens. Ignorance is bliss, but it also can be pounds. If I have a choice, I will look everything up online and decide from there, but some chains do not even have nutrition information on their website. And when I consider it a write-off day because visiting relatives take me out to Olive Garden or Cracker Barrel (who does not have any nutritional information anywhere that is provided by them), I would like to at least be able to make the best choice, even if it will take me over my daily allowance. Also, half the time I have it all figured out from online and then I get to the restaurant and that particular item is not there and I panic and try to remember what other things were. Although many restaurants have their calories on a separate brochure, I never ask for one if I am there with other people. I feel it is like someone asking, “Can I have a menu for the really cheap stuff only?”. It is just embarassng and pressuring. I try to let as few people as possible know I am trying to lose weight.
Looks like it will not be mandatory for at least two years, but hopefully most of the places will get it out of the way early. This would make life so much easier for me!!
I work in the restaurant industry and to be honest I do not see this happening. maybe for the chain restaurants but not the one who change their menu. Many times vendors are out of items so it gets substituded anyway. every cook is different so sometimes more butter is added or more of this or that.
I do not believe those things are very accurate anyway.
I think that is a great idea for them to do this and I know the restaurant industry is pissed because it is going to hurt their bottom line and be a pain in the ass. It is so hard to know without looking stuff up online though. Things that common sense would tell you are healthy like salads can still be loaded with calories. Very frustrating. A lot of times the killer though is the sodium and I don’t see them listing that. It would be nice but if it happens it will be a long way away and we all will be at our goal weights by then ;).
It helps so much being able to look up nutritional info.
We should be allowed to see what we are putting into our bodies.
I can understand why some restaurants don’t want to share that information though but too bad.
I think if they are cooking it and expect us to buy it and eat it then they should have to let us know whats really in it.
Maybe they’ll start to use some healthier techniques and ingredients if they have to divulge the info.
I love the new law, it can’t happen soon enough as far as I’m concerned.
It helps so much being able to look up nutritional info.
We should be allowed to see what we are putting into our bodies.
I can understand why some restaurants don’t want to share that information though but too bad.
I think if they are cooking it and expect us to buy it and eat it then they should have to let us know whats really in it.
Maybe they’ll start to use some healthier techniques and ingredients if they have to divulge the info.
I love the new law, it can’t happen soon enough as far as I’m concerned.
Nadia,
I understand the calorie issue. I created a notebook of all the restuarants with nutritional guides. I have found that number of restaurants that do not post their information, will email it to you if you request it. One thing I have also found are “similarities” sights such as Calorie King. While they may not provide restaurant specific calories for Greek or Japanese food, it is a close approximation.
PS: Olive Garden does post their nutritional info- http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/printable/NutritionInformation.pdf