Only a few cities and states so far have implemented laws requiring restaurants to post nutrition facts for their offerings. But now, legislation is making its way through Congress that will help implement a national law requiring all large U.S. chain restaurants (20 or more locations) to disclose at least calorie counts for all the foods and drinks on their menus.
While the National Restaurant Federation has tried tirelessly to lobby against any type of labeling requirements for restaurateurs, this is one issue that just cannot continue to go unaddressed. There are so many issues—pro and con—about which I’ve been a part of many debates. The National Restaurant Association recently backed the Senate-proposed bill, and even dietitians can’t agree whether having nutrition facts on menus will help, hurt, or do nothing for our nation’s obesity problem.
Personally, I’m of the belief that giving consumers more nutrition information helps guide their food choices. Many will chose to ignore the nutrition facts, but some will use it to make better decisions. Even kids these days seem to be making healthier choices when it comes to fast food, so I believe that the more info, the better. I’m hopeful that if Joe Six-Pack is ordering a Double-Whammy Burger and sees that it’s 1,500 calories, he may decide on the Single-Whammy Burger instead to cut out a few hundred calories from his lunch.
Last week, the American Dietetic Association weighed in with its thoughts on this proposed national restaurant nutrition labeling legislation. Here are some snippets from the ADA’s statement supporting restaurant labeling:
“The American Dietetic Association is a strong advocate for policies that will improve the lives of Americans through food and nutrition strategies. There is no goal more important in the current debate over health reform than to have a lasting, positive impact on all Americans’ health. Nutrition is at the foundation of health—necessary to be healthy and effective in preventing delaying, offsetting, and managing disease. We support policies that facilitate good nutrition, including consumer-tested nutrition information and education and financial support for research.
“We see the inclusion of restaurant menu labeling provisions in health reform appropriate to achieving that goal. People need scientifically valid and understandable nutrition information to make healthful choices in all venues, including restaurants. Providing good, accurate, and tested information to a consumer educated in nutrition basics can have a powerful effect on food selection at the point of sale. Over time, the act of millions of people making healthful choices can impact the health of the nation and improve the food supply by consumer demand.
“A national approach will be helpful to consumers’ utilization and understanding of the information presented. Basic information on the menu or menu board would be complemented with more detailed information on fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fiber, and protein being available upon request.
“For those who simply want to maintain their health and those who need to manage their diets to offset chronic disease, such information is important. Research has shown that nutrition labeling in restaurants can beneficially influence food choices for some consumers. However, nutrition information alone is not enough. Nutrition education is critical.”
Question for you: Would you use the nutrition information on menus when eating out? Why or why not?
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Comments (4)
I use the nutrition information – largely at fast food type places like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. I’ve joked that I can no longer treat myself knowing that a Starbucks cookie is 410 calories…so intead, I go to a hole in the wall place where they don’t post calories. As my grandmother says: if you close your eyes it doesn’t count. But seriously, I think the nutrition labeling laws are important – but the question I raise, is will it help someone who isn’t nutrition savvy and has no idea what 500 calories mean in his or her diet? Or, if someone is 300 pounds, will they even care? So for the small population who does understand calories, I think it’s great. But I think we have a long way to go before it works for everyone.
I think this is a great thing. We all should be a little more aware of what we eat, how could it be anymore clear then when it hits you in the face like this? Hopefully this really makes a difference!
Agree with you. But I personally know many peoples, advising other people but having nutritious food for their selves. Overeating can be guessed from their bellies hanging over the pants and trousers :-D
cisco training.
I think this is a great thing. In a world of calorie-conscious people, this gives those who are trying to cut calories the opportunity to weigh up the costs of eating something out of their typically healthy eating routine. If you know how much is in it, you may feel less guilty for eating it if you still stay in your target calories for the day.
On top of that, companies get away with hiding too much from us. I mean some products don’t even have “real” meat in even though it deceptively looks like they do, other products claim to be from a specific country when in fact it is just put together in that country and the produce isn’t.
There are so many hidden things in our food that the only way we can get around it is to eat completely fresh all the time. For some people this just isn’t always possible so I think its great that our food is becoming more “honest”.
http://www.eating-naturally.com