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Big Mac…big waistlines. It’s all in the numbers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ever wonder how much that chicken and egg biscuit adds to your waistline?
Some fast-food customers in New York City are finally facing the numbers.
New rules require chain restaurants to post calorie counts on the menu as part of a major anti-obesity campaign. Some restaurants have long included calorie and nutritional information on tray liners and on websites, but not on the menu.
The calories posting rule originally became effective in May, but legal delays forced enforcement until now, according to the AP story. Cathy Nonas, director of the health department’s physical activity and nutrition program, said she wants customers to be more informed about their food choices when they buy. “Obviously, we have an epidemic of obesity across the nation and New York City is no different.”
The rule only applies to restaurants that serve standardized portions and have 15 or more locations nationwide, according to the article. An industry lawsuit is pending.
Should restaurants be required to provide nutritional information for all its products? If so, do you think you would eat differently? Would you back away from the Big Mac?
Comments
By Art
July 21, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Calorie Conscious Fast Food is an oxymoron. Anything with “big” or “biggie” or “super” or “extra” in the name has lots of calories… you don’t need nutritional charts on the wall to prove it… end of discussion. Now, I’ll have a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Extra Value Meal please.
By Michelle
July 21, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
So ridiculous, did anyone actually think a Big Mac was healthy? People need to start taking charge of their own lives and quit holding everyone else responsible for their actions and their “fatness.”
By Fred
July 21, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
I can’t recall the last time I chowed down on a Burger. It just does not hit my radar screen anymore. There are so much better choices out there in fast food now. I will give McDonalds credit on their Asian salad. It’s actually far better than I ever expected from them. I just watch the amount of dressing. Subway, and Taco Bell also offer lighter fare. Pass on the Big Mac and fries.
By Crown
July 21, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Michelle, while I understand your point, I eat pretty healthy most of the time, there are days when I eat fast food. I understand that the calorie count will be high, I just want to know how high. Helps me determine how many extra minutes I need to work out the next day. You are right…if anyone thought that a “BIG” Mac was healthy then they need more help than McDonald’s can provide.
Also, companies tend to mislead you when think you are choosing healthier options like salads or grilled meats. Many times they substitute fat for sugar or sodium. You might as well eat the Big Mac!
By Jeff
July 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Big Macs - 500 calories. Big deal, everybody knows those are calorie bombs.
Try Zaxby’s “zalads”. Seems like a healthy choice, right? WRONG: 700 calories…and that’s WITHOUT SALAD DRESSING!
http://www.zaxbys.com/graphics/ZaxbysNutritionCalculations.pdf
By itsme
July 21, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
All restaurants should post nutritional info, just like labels on food you buy at the grocery store.
By kristin
July 21, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Who didn’t know that a Big Mac has a ton of calories? For the past decade the news has used the Big Mac as a rule of measurement of how fattening another type of food is, like if you eat lo mien from an asian restaurant you could have had 2 1/2 Big Macs
By girlcat2
July 21, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Yes….all restaurants should be required to post calories and fat content. Recently, we visited NYC and I was surprised that most restaurants provided calorie info on the menus. Knowledge is power!
By Ally
July 22, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Yes! Require Calorie Posting!
Otherwise, how would one know that a puportedly healthy “salad” has 500 or more calories?!
Corporations will continue to sell this stuff as long as people buy it.
Maybe posting the outrageous calorie counts will help people do the obvious:
Eat at home.