Last month at Subway’s, I glanced at the napkins, which have nutrition information of the sandwiches compared to meals at different restaurants. While I chowed down on my Veggie Delight, I compared its calorie count to a Whopper Burger at Burger King: 460 calories to 720 calories.
I wondered if most Americans choose their meals based on their taste buds or calories.
President Obama recently signed a new law that requires big restaurant chains to post the nutritional information of each food item on the menus and drive-thru boards. Now, as Americans eat their meals, they will know exactly how many calories they are consuming.
I thought that people would eat healthier foods if they knew the nutritional values. Yet, many studies are showing that Americans are not affected by the calorie counts posted on the menus. Specifically, one study done at New York University showed that 90 percent of the subjects in the experiment were not influenced by the nutritional information labeled.
Why do Americans not change their habits? Simply put: taste, affordability and convenience.
Most Americans find a food they like, then stick to it, not really wanting to move out of their ingrained eating habits. Science has shown that people can develop a drug-like addiction to high carbohydrate foods.
Affordability also plays a major role in food choices. A 390-calorie McDouble at McDonald’s costs $1, while the 140-calorie salad costs $3 to $4.
The University of Washington conducted a study which showed that in supermarkets, junk food costs less than fruits and vegetables. In a 2,000-calorie diet, one that consisted of junk food would cost just $3.52 a day, while a diet of low-energy dense foods costs $36.32 a day.
But, often for many families who can afford the cost of healthy foods, it is convenience which determines the food habits. Working parents who often do not have time to cook meals at home take their children to restaurants. If parents do not pay attention to the posted calorie counts then the children often get more than the recommended amount of calories. If this happens constantly, then the children become obese and have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Unfortunately, one in every three children is considered overweight and the percentage continues to climb.
Though posting calorie counts on menus is a good first step, I think the best way to decrease obesity and diabetes is for restaurant chains to improve their menu selections and decrease the number of calories in each entrée. For example, the restaurant Chipotle could still provide the delicious burrito bowl, but with an alternative, healthier recipe that has fewer calories.
Though many Americans are not influenced by the calorie counts on menus, the readily available information may begin to alarm some folks. For my part, I will continue to choose my meal based on the nutritional value. I hope more Americans will do the same.
http://www.suburbancommunitynews.com/articles/2011/08/25/bartlett_express/opinion/doc4e565ea85007c391157232.txt