So tell us something we don’t already know.
Researchers at Yale University revealed that after observing more than 4,300 customers at fast food restaurants, only .1% of them bothered to read any of the nutritional and caloric information on display. That’s one tenth of one percent ” a paltry six consumers!
The study was conducted at both urban and suburban fast food restaurants, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks and Au Bon Pain. All of these outlets had nutrition and calorie information on display, either on posters, in pamphlets or at computer terminals in the restaurants.
“These data scream out the need for calorie information to be right there in bold print on the menus and menu boards,”says Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale and an author of the study that appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
“With the economy in such poor condition, people are drawn to the cheapest foods they can find, and often that’s fast food,”Brownell continued. “There are reasonable choices available, but consumers need the nutrition information to know what those choices are”
How many of you check the nutrition information before ordering your burger and fries? Very few, I’m sure. After all, it’s fast food! Who has the time to study the fat, sodium and calorie counts when you’re in a hurry?
But some people may legitimately be interested in nutrition information ” they just can’t find it. Perhaps it’s in an obscure place or the type is too small to read. So the study goes on to suggest that fast food restaurants do a better job of getting this information out in a prominent location that is large enough to read. It might make a difference for those looking to limit their intake of fat and calories, especially when a McDonald’s meal consisting of a double quarter pounder with cheese, a large order of fries and a 32-ounce vanilla triple shake adds up to 2,300 calories and 121 grams of fat.
Consumers interested in checking the nutritional information at restaurants in their area can consult the Healthy Dining Web site . Developed by dieticians to help find healthier alternatives when going out to eat, the site is searchable by zip code, price range and cuisine. Its database consists of more than 60,000 dietitian-approved restaurants from coast to coast and includes everything from fast food to fine dining. Yes, KFC is on the menu, as is Panera Bread and many other fast food favorites.
Coincidentally, some lawmakers in Congress are talking about taking the guessing game out of the amount of calories people consume when eating out. They are now discussing a bill to create a national standard for chain restaurants that would make companies post fat and calorie totals. Some cities, like New York, already have laws that require this information to be posted. Other places, such as Philadelphia, are coming on board with similar legislation later this year.
Related articles
- Ten Healthiest Fast Food Chains (cbsnews.com)
- Burger King Can’t Give Away their New Burgers? (laist.com)
- Fast Food: Not Always Unhealthy? (abcnews.go.com)