Calories Count

I stumbled across this article today in the business section of the LA Times website. Chains in California are being forced to prominently display the calorie counts of every item on their menu, and it's brought about an interesting change. Customers are now seeing that the, for example, sandwich they usually order is 900 calories, and second guessing their restaurant ordering habits. As a result, these restaurants are finding ways to make the food they offer a little lighter on the caloric wallet. They do this by offering healthier alternatives, offering smaller portions, and cutting back on fatty condiments and ingredients.

I've definitely seen the second guessing first hand. I used to work at a coffee chain, and when confronted with the number of calories the carrot cake had, most people opted to split a slice with a friend or chose something with fewer calories. If they hadn't been confronted with that huge number, they might not have thought twice. I do recognize, however, that there are always people who honestly don't care how many calories they consume, so listing these numbers isn't going to change their eating habits.

I love that this change in behavior is prompting restaurants to really consider the ingredients in the food they serve, and how good they are for you (although the healthiness of food is not just about calories). I can't tell you how many times I've been to a restaurant, looked at an item on the menu, and thought "Where are all those calories coming from?"