If calorie counts for restaurant menu items were posted, would it change what you ordered? A new study finds it just might be what you need to make healthier choices… or order smaller portions.
Researchers surveyed more than 7,000 customers who ate at 11 randomly selected fast-food chains. Their average meal was 827 calories. And for one-third of them, it was 1,000 calories or more!
But the survey shows customers who went to Subway restaurants – where they could see calorie information before they ordered – picked food with an average of 52 fewer calories than those who didn’t know what they were getting.
The researchers say fast-food chains should display calorie information prominently to help customers make informed choices. The study is in the American Journal of Public Health.
Just how clueless are people about restaurant calories? A new poll from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) shows fewer than 15 percent of 900 New Yorkers asked could correctly guess the highest or lowest-calorie menu items at chain restaurants in the survey.
“Most fast food isn’t exactly health food, but the calories can range from modest to astronomical,” says CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan. “Even professional dietitians get it wrong when they see the food right in front of them. Without nutrition information it’s near impossible to make informed choices.”
Personally, I like knowing how many calories I’m getting when I eat out. Except for maybe once in awhile when I splurge on a yummy dessert and would rather just enjoy the moment (then make up for it the next day!). How about you? Are you more of “knowledge is power” kind of person or do you prefer “ignorance is bliss” when it comes to calories at restaurants?
Photo credit: Burger King
It would change my choices. But then again, I have already looked up most of them! NCLM
I don’t think it would change what I eat. I know when I am eating something that isn’t the healthiest choice, but done in moderation I don’t see any harm.
It may help people who are trying to make better choices, but most only do these things if they really want to. Calorie counts are on most foods we buy in the grocery store, yet we are still a very overweight nation.
I think that, for the most part, it wouldn’t change my mind. Perhaps at an ordinary lunch when I’m feeling health conscious, but at, for example, fast food restaurants? I already know anything I order is bad for me – the calorie counts become irrelevant at that point.
Definitely for some us…just think about it. Ever been stuck looking at a menu just trying to decide what to eat?
Chances are, if you’re trying to lose weight and the decision is between one meal weighing in at 500 and another with 900 calories, you’re much more likely to get with the lower.
Likewise, if you’re a weight lifter prepping for the Olympic, you want to get as many calories as possible and probably won’t waste your time with the low calorie stuff
I don’t care what the survey says people will do. When people actually start making the healthier choice in the restaurant, then I’ll believe it.
it wouldnt change mine.
I could care less what the calories are.
If Im going out for a treat dinner or WHATEVER you wanna call it
if Im eating out as a treat that Im not cooking and just to enjoy the company I try and eat as clean as I can and wouldnt look at the calories anyway.
if that makes sense.
grilled WHATEVS and steamed XYZ and a salad.
I’m with you MizFit – When I eat out I eat healthy for the most part… except for the occasional splurge on something “bad” like wings or nachos, but that doesn’t happen too often, so it’s all good.
If the information is there, I definitely will use it and have in the past. I was severely bummed when Ruby Tuesday’s took the calories and other pertinent nutritional information off its menu. However, a lot of people don’t care or, even if given the information, don’t really comprehend what a 1000 calorie burger means.
Yes, it would, because restaurant foods have hidden calories that we don’t even think about. As a weight watchers, I am very happy when the calorie, fat and fiber info is there.
janisz – Yes, I love knowing what’s in the food, then deciding whether I want it!
Yes, it pays to be reminded of what you are doing. When I used to weigh myself daily, I was somewhat (5 or 6 pounds lighter) lower in weight. Just being aware means a lot.
bribell – I agree. It’s about having the knowledge, then each person can decide what they want to do with it.