Morning,

There's an interesting article about calorie counting and fast foods over at 60 Minutes:

Expert: Many Underestimate Calories, Health Advocates Want To Force Restaurant Chains To List Calories On Menus - CBS News

Yahoo also followed up:

Calorie Counting ...on 60 Minutes; Exclusive Video Only on Yahoo! News

Enjoy,

Barbara

this really is very similar to Leigh's video that was posted on YouTube
http://weight-loss.fitness.com/news-...tml#post352530

I would hate like hell to see nutrition info be mandatory - there've been numerous studies I've seen (and yeah, a study can be skewed to give any kind of result) that making the info available and easily accessible doesn't make a difference to the majority of people.

The book I recently read - called Mindless Eating, the author makes the point that even in places like Subway, where the nutrition info is on the soda cups and napkins, people think they're eating healthier so they tend to think it's OK to tack on the cookie, or chips or full calorie soda... and they're not getting out of the restaurant any any fewer calories than a burger joint.

People have to be responsible for themselves and make their own best choices..

Morning,

This one thing with which I totally agree and totally cannot understand. Take, for example, all the fad diets out there or all the scam informercials regarding "flat abs" and "miracle diets" etc.; people will always be seduced by "the dream" and ignore any bouts of reality they might uncover (ie, frank discussions about truth/validity of claims etc.).

Sometimes, people just want to believe and refuse to consider the undeniable facts.

Barbara

When I finished reading it, my first thought was that the people who really want this information,a nd will use it, are the people who are determined to eat healthy/lose weight, and they are the ones who are willing to take the time to look things up on the 'net. I mean, it is nice if you go out spontaneously...I remember going to the mall and picking the one place that had calories listed on the board. It was great.

Well, i would have to agree....for fast food places, i don't think it will really make a difference to people to have nutritional info posted. When i had heard about this in passing, i thought the regulation was going to be to have all restaurants post nutritional info on their menu (which i would love personally). HOwever starbucks, subway etc all have great nutritional info on their websites. You can decide what you will eat before you go there and in that way make an informed choice.

I disagree about the nutritional labels. I think they need to be mandatory everywhere possible. For example, I just saw today that the cheese fries at Outback were something like 2,900 calories and 185 fat grams. I bet some people would have no idea how bad it is.

The 20 worst foods in America - Health - MSNBC.com

1: The worst food in America
Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing

2,900 calories

182 g fat

240 g carbs
Even if you split these "starters" with three friends, you'll have downed a dinner's worth of calories before your entrée arrives.

I agree as well. I know one of the reasons I put on so much weight was because I didn't even stop to consider how many calories were in foods I was eating. But when I actually saw how many calories were in something, I was horrified. For example, I never thought that getting a sandwhich at say jack in the box was so bad- especially something that "Seems" healthier- like they have some ciabatta thing with grilled chicken. I looked it up online, and its like 700 calories. (no good right before bed)

Now, I look up fast food options online, so I have an idea of what I can get thats reasonably healthy at places like Mcdonalds, wendys, quiznos (basically the soup and those little sammies).

Even when I go to somewhere like Chilis, I appreciate that they have a light menu with calorie listings.

Oh really? maybe things are different in the states. I have never been to a restuarant that has calorie values right on the menu. I'm all for it though, i get so annoyed going out somewhere and there not being any nutritonal info available online to do research before.

And where did you find nutritional info for quiznos? I have not been able to find that.