Calories on Menu

**McD** · 01-07-2011, 03:32 PM

So I went to Panera with a group of knitters last night. I had eaten beforehand so I wouldn't be tempted by their delectable goodies, but I thought that I would just order a peppermint hot cocoa.

Then while standing in line, I realized that they now have calories posted on their menu board.

630 calories for peppermint hot chocolate!!!! That's only 9 calories less than the lasagna I made last night!

I know some states (cities?) require these be posted and others do so on their own accord.

Have you noticed this at all? If so, does it help curb your appetite?

**moasmom** · 01-07-2011, 04:27 PM

So the real question is, did you order that hot chocolate?

I noticed this same thing in Starbucks this morning (using my xmas gift card, yay!). I believe it's now federally mandated for restaurants with a certain number of locations (chains). It will definitely be interesting to see if it changes people's ordering habits.

Kara

**Shelli_wnj** · 01-07-2011, 04:38 PM

I have not seen this yet! I am sure it would change my ordering!

**McD** · 01-07-2011, 04:41 PM

I did not! I switched to medium pop and didn't refill. Only drank about 1/2 of the original.

**Neeley** · 01-07-2011, 04:44 PM

I have not noticed it, yet. But, I also have not been out to eat in a few weeks. I am sure it would definitely make me think twice before ordering something though.

Great! Now I am craving Panera's bread bowl with broccoli soup.

**imagine** · 01-07-2011, 05:25 PM

Haven't read a menu yet.

Did this part of the health care bill go through or get cut?

Health care bill requires calories on menus at chain restaurants - USATODAY.com

I found my answer "Tucked away on page 455 of the massive health care reform act signed into law by President Obama in early 2010, is a provision requiring that restaurant chains with more than 20 units post calorie counts on print, display, and drive thru menus (law also requires the same for vending machines). Restaurants have til March of 2011 to comply." http://www.livnaked.com/will-posting...-a-difference/

**Nishu** · 01-07-2011, 05:35 PM

The only place I've noticed it is Jack in the Box and it definitely does make me think more about what I order. I can't even buy those chocolatey/milky/coffee drinks any more because of how much sugar and fat they have. I might as well have a burger if I'm going to splurge like that.

**imagine** · 01-07-2011, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Neeley

I have not noticed it, yet. But, I also have not been out to eat in a few weeks. I am sure it would definitely make me think twice before ordering something though.

Great! Now I am craving Panera's bread bowl with broccoli soup.

I so understand

Question is would you still want one or at least order one if you knew it would be 790 calories.

It would make me think twice.

**sunshine** · 01-07-2011, 05:44 PM

I noticed it at iHOP this week. . . and yes, I changed my order to just a short stack, instead of the stuffed French toast.

**Neeley** · 01-07-2011, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

Question is would you still want one or at least order one if you knew it would be 790 calories.

I would still order soup in the bread bowl. Since I carry my calorie book around with me all of the time anyway I am normally aware of my caloric intake (have to keep up with my carb intake so I can make sure I enter the right amounts into my insulin pump). But, I doubt I would order something like a desert or drink.

**zakity** · 01-07-2011, 10:15 PM

I noticed it a while back. It sort of ticks me off. If I eat out, I don't want to know how many calories are in it. I want to enjoy myself. It makes me want to eat out even less than I do now.

**Darlene** · 01-08-2011, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by imagine

Haven't read a menu yet.

Originally Posted by imagine

Did this part of the health care bill go through or get cut?

Health care bill requires calories on menus at chain restaurants - USATODAY.com

I found my answer "Tucked away on page 455 of the massive health care reform act signed into law by President Obama in early 2010, is a provision requiring that restaurant chains with more than 20 units post calorie counts on print, display, and drive thru menus (law also requires the same for vending machines). Restaurants have til March of 2011 to comply." Will posting calories on menu boards make a difference? * LIVNAKED

You probably read more of the bill than our "leaders" who signed it did.
Bee-boo bee-boo food has calories, often times many. I know without them telling me what has alot of calories and what doesn't. Not a fan of more regulation and mandatory whatever. I don't mind them having the signs, I mind them having to have the signs.

I eat out very rarely and the signs would just make me roll my eyes & order what I want anyways.

**auntie2many** · 01-08-2011, 09:23 AM

Actually, I appreciated it. I am trying very hard to lose weight and last night we ended up at Taco Bell for dinner and I found a burrito with chicken with 280 calories so that is what I ordered and it was good.

**imagine** · 01-08-2011, 10:09 AM

I posed this question at dinner last night. Would calories posted next to menu items affect what you ordered?

Hubby said he would probably not change his mind due to calorie being posted when he eats out it is for the experience and fun of it and he will eat what he wants.

Buddy my teenage son said it might make a difference like if he was having a hard time deciding between to menu items.

Little Miss didn't really understand the question so hard no real answer.

I think it would affect what I chose.