Calories on the Menu

This is a result of Healthcare Reform. From FDA.gov:

On March 23, 2010, the President signed the health care reform legislation1 into law. Section 4205 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 requires restaurants and similar retail food establishments with 20 or more locations to list calorie content information for standard menu items on restaurant menus and menu boards, including drive-through menu boards. Other nutrient information – total calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and total protein – would have to be made available in writing upon request. The Act also requires vending machine operators who own or operate 20 or more vending machines to disclose calorie content for certain items.

The proposed rule can be found on the FDA website. I imagine some of these restaurants are starting to add calorie information in anticipation of this rule going into effect.

There are also some new rules regarding what items can be sold in vending machines in HHS & GSA facilities, found here: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104429.
 
The only restaurant I go to that has the calorie information up front is Panera, and I like it because sometimes I will think that one soup would be "healthy" when another one is actually lower calorie. I don't only look at calories when making choices though, so I get what I want regardless.
 
Most of the times, I do like it. It does help you to make better decisions. However, there are some days that I just close my eyes and eat what I like.
 

Yes, restaurants in California have to post calories as of the first of this year.

Funny thing is, until this week, I never looked, and even then I didn't notice until after I ordered. And I picked a winner, the absolute highest calorie meal on the menu (JimBoys, a local mexican fast food chain). 1800 calories.

Which is funny, the meals basically cost the same, so if you are watching your weight you are actually looking to get LESS for your money. As for me, half mine was dinner, and the other half was lunch the next day.
 
I will ignore it if it comes here. I worry more about ingredients rather than how many calories it has.
 


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