Scary news from msnbc

I thought this would be interested for those of us watching what we eat:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25464987/

By Roni Caryn Rabin msnbc.com contributor updated 8:34 a.m. ET, Wed., July 16, 2008

Video

Calorie counts force people to face facts April 26: A Manhattan judge ruled that chain restaurants must post calorie counts on their menus, hoping that will force New Yorkers to live healthier lives. NBC’s Mara Schiavocampo reports. Nightly News

Meals ordered at sit-down chain restaurants may have more calories than typical takeout fast-food, nutritionists say, because the portions are often larger and an entrée can be served on a plate smothered with French fries. In a takeout restaurant, the fries have to fit into a container, which limits the portion size.

Managers at some restaurants, including an Upper East Side Johnny Rocket’s and Outback Steakhouse, said new menus including calorie counts would be on tables by Friday, or shortly thereafter.

“We’re concerned," acknowledged Eric Hagy, proprietor of Outback Steakhouse on Third Avenue in Manhattan. “I don’t know what effect it will have, but it will bring people’s attention to certain items that are high in calories, like the Bloomin’ Onion appetizer. It has over 2,000 calories, but it’s meant to be shared between two or three people."

At a Starbucks on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, barista Bishoy Ayoub, 18, said he’s noticed many customers switching to smaller drinks or reduced-fat drinks since calorie labels were posted several months ago.

‘Take off the labels’
“Some people actually tell us we should take off the labels, because it discourages them from ordering what they want," he said. “But I think honesty is the best policy."

At a Wendy’s nearby, where calorie counts were just posted next to prices on the menu-boards behind the counter, customers didn’t flinch. “I figure I’ve got 1,350 calories here on my tray," said Tristan Rowe, 26, who lives in Brooklyn, pointing to his lunch of a chicken club sandwich, junior bacon-cheeseburger, large fries and a large Coke (which actually added up to 1,680 calories). “It’s not going to change what I order — I’m no****ching my waistline. I have a very active lifestyle."

Despite the eye-opening revelations, whether New Yorkers will switch to lower calorie meals remains to be seen. They may just switch menus.

 

 

 

 

That’s what Fowler, the woman who was dining recently with her friends at T.G.I. Friday's, decided to do.

“I’m so upset," she said, noting some entrees — like the Jack Daniels ribs and shrimp dinner — contain almost 2,000 calories, and the desserts were more of the same (the brownie obsession is 1,500 calories). “I wish they wouldn’t have done this."

But then Fowler noticed that the waiter had handed her friend an old menu, which didn’t have calorie counts on it.

“You got a menu without anything on it?" she asked her friend. “Can I have yours?"

Roni Caryn Rabin is a health writer who lives in New York City. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsday and Real Simple magazine, among other publications, and is author of the book, "Six Parts Love: A Family's Battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease." She teaches journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

© 2009 msnbc.com.  Reprints

When I went through JFK airport last month, all the food  had calorie counts on the overhead menus at the fast food places.  They had pizza that was over 800 calories per slice!  I have to admit, I was hungry and I didn't buy anything because I knew the calorie counts and it was shocking.  I think it's really smart to do this.  It might change the fast food industry - maybe they will offer less fattening food choices in the future.

I find some of those calorie counts shocking too and I hope it spreads every where. If people refuse to eat this crap then these companies will have to provide better choices or go out of business.

Skylar

Well, if all of the other New Yorkers have the same attitude as "1,680 Calorie Boy", then this could end up being like the warning on cigarette packs...it's just numbers on a menu.  But for those of us who are watching what we eat, this is a Godsend. 

Babs, 800 calories for one piece of pizza...for real?  On a twelve hundred calorie a day diet, you'd have to eat raw cumumbers for breakfast and dinner!

Mary 

With airline food, or lack thereof, these days, raw cucumbers might be more than one would get!  Actually, my transcontinental flights from San Diego to JFK - no food.  On the transatlantic flights - a full meal and a snack - so it's not all been taken away, yet!   And, compared to the food in the terminals, the airline food is healthy.

This would completely work for me.  Not on my cranky days, but most days.

WOOOOW!!!!!  OM Gosh!!!!  That is very scary!!!!

 No kidding.  I know eating out is one of my BIGGEST problems.  Since my kids usually eat their own thing when they're home, I don't really cook anymore.  And its just so much easier to go through a drive thru.  Got so monotonous lately, because I was doing my usual, "What do I want?" and really, nothing was appealing.  

In general, I do not like "Nanny Laws" like this. We can get information on our own and make our own decisions! I think the information should be available, by all means. And it is for most restaurants.  McDonalds/Burger King, etc has posted their caloric contents for years - ummm they are doing fine. People don't care; the ones who do care just don't eat that stuff.

"let the Buyer beware" is a premise for free enterprise. That means it is up to us to decide what product is for our best use. Merchants are free to sell what they will in this environment.

Furthermore, restaurants don't tend to sell healthy food b/c we don't ask for it or buy it. Simple.

I don't go to restaurants very often b/c they do not, in general, sell healthy foods. The ones that do feature low fat or lots of veggies will get my business. In airports, i go for asian fare - and even at that, i stick to brothy soups with lots of veggies or sushi.

There is a VERY popular restaurant in my town that dips steaks in the fryer oil before grilling them. I sh*t you not. This fact is not widely known, I only know it b/c my friend who delivers food there saw them do it.

So on the one hand, good for the business for knocking 'em dead with killer sales. On the other hand...

Neecee, I think in this case having the calorie posted where you can easily see it is more helpful that having to look it up online. You're right, those of us who prefer to make healthier choices don't go to the fast food places because they don't offer anything and their typical customers don't buy it. That is true.

However if more people can't avoid seeing the high calorie count I'm hopeful that they will make better choices.

I'm not surprised they dip the steaks in fryer oil. I don't know if it's still done, but years ago when I was a child, fancy french restaurants would leave a pat of butter to melt over a grilled steak because it adds gloss and a nice buttery taste - it melted before it was served.

I love to eat out but I'm finding it hard to find restaurants that offer the type of food I want to eat.

Skylar