Legalizing calorie counting

I apologize for frequently blogging about New York. I realize that with over 60,000 members, many of you do not live in New York.

But I live in New York, and many of the issues that affect New Yorkers probably affect you too. Also, my job entails me reading New York news at almost every minute of the day, so naturally, I come across some interesting things I'd want to share with you.

Today, this article was printed in the local newspaper:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=801359

In case you don't feel like reading, New York Gov. David Paterson wants to require all supermarkets and restaurants to tell their customers the number of calories in the meals they are eating by law. Paterson wants to do this to help curb obesity.

Here's my take on it: I'm all for counting calories-in fact, I take over 2 hours at the grocery store to buy 20 items because I spend so much time looking at the calories and ingredients. But do I want to know how many calories are in the dinner I'm eating when I go out? NO.

When I go out to eat, I think of it as the one time I can indulge and enjoy myself without worrying about my weight, what kind of foods will make me fat, etc. When a server comes up to me with a delicious steaming plate of fettucine alfredo I just ordered, the last thing I want him to say is, "This meal has 1,200 calories in it, enjoy the extra pound you will gain from eating it."

If this becomes a law, I don't see myself going out to eat in New York very often-but wait, then I'd be conforming to exactly what the law wants!

Would you want the calories of your foods presented to you when you go out to eat?

posted @ Tuesday, May 19, 2009 1:25 PM

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# re: Legalizing calorie counting

Left by Sandy at 5/19/2009 2:52 PM
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I absolutely DO want to know. I want to know so much that I actually go online before I go out to find out what are the healthiest and lowest calorie choices for me to order. I don't want to order something and then find out that I gained 2 lbs from the dish and clogged up my arteries with it. If you wouldn't order a dish if you knew the calories in it, then perhaps you shouldn't order it. Knowledge is power. If you don't really care, then it doesn't matter how many calories are in it. I would like to at least have the option. You can't pretend you don't know that your dinner is going to make you gain fat if it's staring you right in the face. Then if you gain, then at least you can't say you didn't know.

Just my opionion. I think it's a wonderful thing! :)

Sandy
(sandyks12345)

# re: Legalizing calorie counting

Left by tealady at 5/19/2009 5:20 PM
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I have to ditto Sandy on that. I most certainly want to know. I prefer to frequent Applebee's because they have a WeightWatchers point system.

I want to know what I'm eating. My goodness here I tracked myself all week not so I can go out and throw all my good work away because I didn't realize how something was prepared.

I wish they would do that in Florida!

# re: Legalizing calorie counting

Left by Ariana at 5/21/2009 12:55 PM
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Glad you brought up Applebee's Weight Watchers menu. Have you heard of this lawsuit?

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Applebees-facing-lawsuit-over-low-fat-menu/jmO0l2pQQ0Cb2iAw-FUiPg.cspx

Now, I know you're not supposed to believe everything you hear, but this definitely turned me off to Applebees.

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