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Calorie Counts on Restaurant Menus as Part of Health Reform

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Jenny from Georgia...
While I believe everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, here are some facts...studies have PROVEN that people with eating disorders are HIGHLY affected by knowing the calorie information in the foods they choose. One of the most respected universities in the United States, Harvard, has removed the calorie counts from the dining rooms/restaurants on campus for this very reason, and several others are considering it. Recent statistics show that about 25% of American women are obese--obviously a huge problem. Current statistics also show that 1 in 5 women (20%) will have an eating disorder at sometime in their life. (Among college students the rate is closer to 30%.) It's amazing that the US spends so much time and money on one aspect of health while virtually ignoring the opposite end where nearly many as many women suffer. Plus, very few obese women die before age 30 due to the effects of obesity; many women/girls die before age 30 due to an eating disorder. I'm not sure where some of you get your information, but mine is from experts in the field of easting disorders--not just my opinion.

Beth of IN 1:02PM March 24, 2010

Government taking over our lives? What? We as a consumer have the right to know how many calories we put in our body for health reasons. I for one want to know that I am not eating a salad that is 1,500 calories. Dem4Life I am sorry but your situation is the minority not the majority. We are not all anorexic and that sounds like something your daughter needs to take up with her psychologist and not the country. Believe me eating disorders are psychological and not going to be made worse by knowing the calorie count at a restaurant. Come on!

jenny of GA 11:32AM March 24, 2010

In general I think the calorie information is a good idea. But there is a group of people that this can affect very negatively--those with an eating disorder. My teenage daughter has anorexia, and I have found that when we go to restaurants with the calories posted she will always order the item with the lowest calories. For her this can be extremely dangerous. Some of the things she used to eat she refuses to eat anymore since they aren't the lowest calorie item on the menu. Matter of fact, her dietitian told me that studies have shown that the biggest group of people who pay attention to the calories on menus are people with eating disorders. Unfortunately, they often use this information in a negative way. I feel people should educate themselves on the dangers of overeating. We don't need government taking over more parts of our lives, especially when it can be dangerous to some.

Beth of IN 10:29AM March 24, 2010

Yo Yo from Cali,
You are extremely ignorant to say that government is taking over your life because restaurants are mandated to provide the consumer with information about what is inside of the product. Maybe we shouldn't have the government mandate inspection of what is inside the toys coming from China. Who needs to know if there is lead inside of the toys? So ignorant with uneducated and simple minded talking points. It is people like you who ruin this country. Your ignorance and love for lack of information makes me want to move to another country. How could not knowing what is inside of your hamburger be remotely beneficial? You are illogical, irrational, and a joke of an America. This is why people with even a minimal amount of perspective laugh in the face of Americans and their ideas. Stop yourself, and become educated.

Dem4Life of PA 9:29AM March 24, 2010

Government is slowly taking over our lives. When I go out to eat I'm not interested in the calorie count. This is my choice. I can stay home and eat out less and save my money plus I can save my tip. As a former server I know how important tipping is but why eat out.

Yo of CA 8:55AM March 24, 2010

I'm server and I think its great. I wait on people who want to eat healthy and this will help them choose the better choices I might not have known about.

christy of OH 9:34PM March 22, 2010