A few years ago, I was your typical office-worker: stressed out, uneven energy, overweight, and inconsistent complexion. Now I'm just your typical 28-year old urban hunter-gatherer on a quest to be healthy, and having a few adventures along the way. See my full bio.
The Washington Post reports:
Evidence is mounting that calorie labels — promoted by some nutritionists and the restaurant industry to help stem the obesity crisis — do not steer most people to lower-calorie foods. Eating habits rarely change, according to several studies. Perversely, some diners see the labels yet consume more calories than usual. People who use the labels often don’t need to. (Meaning: They are thin.)
Full article here. I'm all for disclosure of what's in our food, but don't hold your breath that calorie labeling will work. Not only does it require that people actually count calories, but it requires counting calories to be an effective method of weight management. The last few decades of low fat hysteria was based, in part, upon the fact that a gram of fat contains more calories than a carbohydrate.
How did that work out?
Comments
I suspect that lots of
I suspect that lots of people have tried to cut calories only to find that either it was impossible long-term or that it didn't help them lose any weight. (If you eat a high-carb diet, these consequences were inevitable.) So they've just given up and adopted a "Fuck It" attitude. The loaded Whopper has a load of calories? Fuck it, I like it. The large mocha has a ton of calories? Fuck it, I like that too.
I think it was a waste of
I think it was a waste of time and money to force restaurants to put that stuff on the menus, but having it available for those who want it helps people who want to help themselves.I lost over 75lbs just counting calories, making better choices, and eating out more meals than not.Although I eat paleo--style now, counting calories does work for most people. Just not perfectly, and just not forever for most people, because it's work and annoying to keep up.I wish they would add ingredient info to nutrtion pamphlets and keep the calories and macros for those who want them. I'll admit that I look at the lower caloried foods for keeping slim and look to higher caloried foods when I'm trying to put on some weight (like now).
I don't care about the
I don't care about the calories, i just want to know what the ingredients are and maybe the (non-calorie related) nutritional information.
Two important things to
Two important things to note:Number 1: The calorie count at restaurants are entirely dependant upon the chef/cook making the meal to a standard that is rarely reached. I can attest to that fact because I have worked in many different restaurants throughout my youth and different amounts of food make their way onto almost every single plate.Number 2: Many studies have found that the info on calorie labels on food at grocery stores are usually off, and sometimes to a shocking degree. Time Magazine has a good story on this. A simple Google search will bring it up. I personally would be much happier with restaurants listing the oil that was used in the preparation and where the meat was sourced from.
Two important things to
Two important things to note:Number 1: The calorie count at restaurants are entirely dependant upon the chef/cook making the meal to a standard that is rarely reached. I can attest to that fact because I have worked in many different restaurants throughout my youth and different amounts of food make their way onto almost every single plate.Number 2: Many studies have found that the info on calorie labels on food at grocery stores are usually off, and sometimes to a shocking degree. Time Magazine has a good story on this. A simple Google search will bring it up. I personally would be much happier with restaurants listing the oil that was used in the preparation and where the meat was sourced from.
While I can't argue with the
While I can't argue with the data that labeling hasn't reduced calorie intake in restaurant goers, here in CA the calorie counts have been mandated on menues for the last couple of years at any restaurant that has more than 5 locations. I have to admit that when I see with my own eyes how many calories something has, I'm completely hammered and spend more time perusing the menu for something remotely healthy and not laden with calories. Then I remember these things when I go to other restaurants that might not have the counts on them (local family diners, for instance). It's truly frightening how many calories are in some of the most favorite dishes at restaurants and, in my opinion, this sort of disclosure/education is necessary. What people do with the information is their issue ...