Calorie Counts on Restaurant Menus - Does it change what you order?

[dejr_8]

If you see how many calories are in an item will you change your order?

I wouldn't change.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What restaurants have this, other than fast food? ETA...I guess you do have the section of low cal at some places and I do order from that.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

What restaurants have this, other than fast food? ETA...I guess you do have the section of low cal at some places and I do order from that.

In some states it's the law. My sister lives on Staten Island and I always cringe when we go out to dinner by her house because it's the law in NY to have the calories on every menu in every restaurant....even down to the little snack place in Target!

When I was into Weight Watchers, I found it very helpful...now I've learned to ignore it and pretty much get what I want, unless something is just ridiculous!!

 

[mjkacmom]

Absolutely! When I shop, I check labels, and if the fat or calorie content is high, I don't buy it. We very rarely eat at fast food restaurants, because the content is listed! And now that I know that the average chicken ceasar salad has about 1500 calories and like 50 grams of fat, I no longer order it. I stick to foods that I can kid myself about the calorie content.

 

[monkey68]

I no longer eat at those places. In NY, all the chain type places have to have them listed, but not the independent places. I don't want to know how many calories I'm getting, I worry about ti when I eat at home. When I eat out, I go by the "ignorance is bliss" rule, so I stick mostly with the independent restaurants.

 

[kafitty]

if i was really craving a certain item, no, but it would certainly be a consideration if i was deciding between a few items.

that being said...a couple of weeks ago, i ordered a lunch size of a fairly healthy meal when i went out to dinner with friends. i ended up eating off of everyone's plates because i wasn't really sated...and then got more food later on when we went out drinking. Some good that lunch portion did me.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't go by calories (up to a point) but what's in the food instead so I'd ignore the calorie listings. I find myself healthier and slimmer if I eat only certain foods so contents would be more helpful for me.

Is this something that's being considered?

 

[MushyMushy]

To a certain degree. I often try to look up calorie counts online when I go out and it will influence what I'm ordering. BUT if I'm in the mood for something, I'll still get it. I'll just feel guilty about it later.

 

[DebbieB]

A friend & I went to the Cheesecake Factory out in Anaheim in September. They had a separate book for the calorie counts that they delivered with the menu. Yikes! But that didn't stop us from ordering what we wanted! We're on vacation! But at home, I'm on WW and would appreciate that information.

 

[dislaney]

I do pay attention and I might still order a high calorie meal but only eat half and bring the rest home to have for lunch the next day or share with my hubby. Still the same calories if I eat it the next day but at least it's spread out over 2 days.

 

[figment52]

I always wondered what those numbers wre there for - lol. I just read right past them.

 

[arminnie]

Yes it does affect me - but not in the way you might guess. I will not order something with a very low calorie count for two reasons:

1) Probably not so tasty
2) I'd be hungry too soon afterwards, and then might overeat with junk food.

 

[jlima]

I look at fat grams and sodium, when I'm somewhere that has this.

This is not required in Nevada . . . yet . . . but since California is right next door, some restaurants use the same menus, etc. and places like Claim Jumper have nutritional info in the bar menu booklet that's at every table. Absolutely, it affects the decision I make on what to order!!

 

[MM27]

It wouldn't change what I order at all. I don't go out to eat often, so when I do, I don't feel guilty about overeating a bit or indulging in things that I don't eat every day.

 

[Micca]

If I'm trying to watch calories I'm not eating at a restaurant. If I'm eating at a restaurant, I'm not watching calories. They are mutually exclusive.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Requiring all restaurants to post nutritional information on the menu is supposed to start here in Oregon on Jan 1 and I'm so mad about it! When I go out to eat I don't want the nutritional information staring me in the face, it should be available but not RIGHT THERE!

But it doesn't change what I order at all. If I go out to eat, unless it's Subway, it's because I have stepped out of my diet temporarily and I want a care-free meal, I want to be able to enjoy myself. When I get a bacon cheeseburger, I will get it, I will eat every bite I would have with or without knowing how much fat is in it but I'll still know and that's annoying to me.

 

[KristaTX]

Yes, I have decided against menu items before when the calorie or fat content was truly and surprisingly extreme.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

It depends on what I've eaten for the rest of the day. If I've been naughty for lunch and/or breakfast, then I may change what I'm going to order (unless I've really really really been craving something specific).

Otherwise I'll order what I would, but just eat a smaller portion.

 

[Jennasis]

Nope. I order what I want.

 

[pezheadmeg]

It totally makes me double think about what I order. But I'm in NY and almost used to seeing those calorie counts. I mean the worst is by far to see the calorie counts on the movie theater boards.

That being said if I'm going out to dinner at a sit down place, I avoid the chains. It killed me to go to Bubba Gump's last winter and not see any meal under 1000 calories on the menu. I would much rather go to the local place around the corner and not be faced with the fact that my shrimp salad is 1500 calories.