Comments on: You Tell Us: Would You Like (500 Calorie) Fries With That (1160 Calorie) Shake?

By: J.K.

J.K. — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:53:34 +0000

“That's how much is in a Big Mac?? Well forget that! I'm going to Fat Mo's from now on!”

Out of sight, out of mind and that's just dangerous – I'm for it. We as a country eat too much garbage and if we have the information right in front of us, the companies can see what the people aren't buying as often and try to make it healthier.

By: Walrus

Walrus — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:29:58 +0000

I've seen Wendy's and such put nutritional info on a board in their restaurants. I really doubt anyone has ever looked at it.

But aside from that, it's 2008. If you don't realize whatever you're ordering at a fast food place is really bad for you by now, you probably aren't smart enough to function in society. I mean, I admit I can't resist the Baconator now and then, but I don't need to be told how awful it is for me, I already know.

This, to me, just sounds like someone trying to act like they're doing something by enacting an idea that really won't have an impact. People aren't going to stop ordering the double quarter pounder with cheese because there's a sign (although they do order them with a diet coke...hilarious).

I DO think it might have an impact on 'real' restaurants where this info would be on menus that patrons spend several minutes reading and analyzing....however, I don't think this would in any way affect our consumption of fast food, which is what (I presume) this is mainly targeted at.

By: neuralnoise

neuralnoise — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:36:52 +0000

I don't think it's a magic bullet, but that doesn't mean it won't help. Even if all it does it make one think twice before supersizing.

Then there's the pressure it puts on the companies to make their numbers more attractive, looking for ways to make the default options healthier.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:27:01 +0000

It's no big deal. I moved from Nashville to NYC last year, where calorie counts are required to be posted. Noticed them the first few times I went out, but now I regularly overlook them.

By: morganlevy

morganlevy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:51:14 +0000

The proposal only concerns restaurant chains of 10 or more locations, so do those count as small, struggling independent restaurants (I suspect the answer could be both yes and no depending on which privately owned chain we examine).

Do you think there is an alternative way to fix the growing obesity rate? 60% of Nashvillians are overweight or obese! I'm genuinely curious (not being sarcastic, would love your opinion), because I don't think requiring nutrition info on menus will change the root behavior and therefore I don't think it's a very effective way to address an overweight Nashville. I don't really have much of a problem with the regulation aspect, but I just don't think it's “the answer.” But then again, what is?

By: neuralnoise

neuralnoise — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:31:59 +0000

As with most such things I set the split at corporate vs privately owned. With the privileges of incorporation come the responsibilities of regulation. That pretty well automatically exempts “small businesses”, without setting some arbitrary ever-changing definition, and it's not “unfair” to expect more of the companies who have been granted charters.

By: David

David — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:25:09 +0000

The part of me that wishes healthy food was more a part of our fast-paced lifestyle likes this as a feel-good gesture. But I have a really hard time believing that people are only going to fast food chains simply because they don't have adequate nutritional information (that they may or may not even know how to fully translate and apply). It's not the lower cost? It's not the convenience? It's not the laziness or the habit? Small-font nutritional info on a sign or menu may help a few honest seekers, but it's nonsensical for a government-mandated order that striving to be anything resembling effective.

By: Colby

Colby — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:42:01 +0000

I saw this in New York, and I say the more information the better. For people on (responsible) weight-loss programs, it can only help them more easily keep track of what they're consuming — and for everyone else, what does it hurt?

By: Ben Richardson

Ben Richardson — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:14:26 +0000

Absolutely not. People have the intelligence to know that a Big Mac is going to be unhealthy or a banana split will have an obscene number of calories. We don't need the government to force any kind of business, especially small, struggling independent restaurants to publish health facts that the average customer should be able to estimate for him/herself.
More government regulation = more problems.

By: morganlevy

morganlevy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:56:29 +0000

Seems to be the common opinion, all or nothing. Sounds fair to me, but I'd love to hear from a restaurant owner on the other side of the table. I'm sure they have a good argument.