Does (or would, if you live where this isn't done) having the calorie count listed next to items in a menu change the way you order food when you go out to eat?
Calories... not so much. I'm just not a calorie counter at all. I just started Weight Watchers, though, and if they listed points, that would probably affect what I ordered!
Post by partiallysunny on Oct 23, 2012 10:13:07 GMT -5
Certain places have started to add calorie information to their menus around here. It does influence what I get, because I know how many calories I should be eating and I care.
Post by dixienormous on Oct 23, 2012 10:19:43 GMT -5
Let me clarify - In general if I know I'm going out and I'm going to have crap, I don't care about the calorie count. If I'm going out and it's a nicer place and I'm not in a crap food mood, then I might look at the numbers.
Yes, I usually look up a menu online before we go anywhere to check the calories. I've kept off 55 pounds though and this helps me make better choices. Sometimes I'll just wing it though.
Absolutely not. I'm not a moron. I have a good understanding of how much fat/calories is in a Big Mac. It's not going to keep me from ordering one if I really want one. Unless I eat them all the time, who the fuck cares? And anyone who DOES eat them all the time probably wont care either... because you can't tell me there's a person in this world that thinks eating McDonalds is like eating health food.
It will make me change my choices. I have a pretty good idea on what calories are in food but sometimes it is easy to just "pretend" they don't exist when you dine out. If I go somewhere special I will eat whatever I want, but for a simple lunch or dinner I pay attention more. This past Saturday I was in Panera bread and changed my order when I saw the calories in the bread bowl I wanted. Instead I went with just a bowl of French Onion soup.
I rarely go to chain restaurants and only chains have the calories listed (that's the law). I never thought I would pay attention to it, but I've found that I very much do. Maybe I am a moron, but I've ordered light beer instead of regular at ball parks due to this. I think if I lived in a place with mostly chains around, I would eat out a lot less. I admit that is at least partially because I don't tend to enjoy chains so much, but it is also because of the calories listed. This is from a non calorie counter.
Let me clarify - In general if I know I'm going out and I'm going to have crap, I don't care about the calorie count. If I'm going out and it's a nicer place and I'm not in a crap food mood, then I might look at the numbers.
What are you considering a nicer place?
I feel the opposite actually. Fortunately, nicer places don't have to list them because they don't have enough outposts. Ignorance is bliss, but if I'm going to a nice place, it is meant to be a splurge.
It depends. If I'm grabbing something just to survive then yeah, I'll opt for something lighter. If I'm going to a restaurant as a big meal with friends I don't pay attention to it. On the flip side, I also rarely ever eat at chains. I actually can't remember the last time I did, so the calorie counts aren't on the menu. I'm walking distance from a lot of awesome small restaurants so I just accept what they give me and love them for it.
Post by fussbucket on Oct 23, 2012 10:39:20 GMT -5
Ill only change if its something that sounds healthier, like a turkey burger or a salad, but turns out to have just as much fat/calories as something that's not trying to pretend. I'll just go ahead and order the "unhealthy" option at that point.
Ill only change if its something that sounds healthier, like a turkey burger or a salad, but turns out to have just as much fat/calories as something that's not trying to pretend. I'll just go ahead and order the "unhealthy" option at that point.
This.
As a starter though, it does deter me from ordering things with very high calorie counts. If it's negligible, like <100 calories, I'll pick the item I want more.
I usually have so few options that this isn't a thing. But, I'd generally line up with what fuss said. Because I'm passive-aggressively punishing THE FOOD for being shiesty.
Ill only change if its something that sounds healthier, like a turkey burger or a salad, but turns out to have just as much fat/calories as something that's not trying to pretend. I'll just go ahead and order the "unhealthy" option at that point.
I could see myself doing this, too. It is definitely a deciding factor if I am stuck between two entrees.
Let me clarify - In general if I know I'm going out and I'm going to have crap, I don't care about the calorie count. If I'm going out and it's a nicer place and I'm not in a crap food mood, then I might look at the numbers.
This, more or less. I eat fairly well for normal meals, so I don't worry about the occasional meal out.
It's like ordering a latte...I don't buy myself hot beverages often, so when I do, I order caffeinated fatty dessert in a cup. If I ordered one once a day, or even once a week, I might have it 'skinny, no whip, soy'. But the once every month or 3 treat is going to be full fat and calories.
Absolutely not. I'm not a moron. I have a good understanding of how much fat/calories is in a Big Mac. It's not going to keep me from ordering one if I really want one. Unless I eat them all the time, who the fuck cares? And anyone who DOES eat them all the time probably wont care either... because you can't tell me there's a person in this world that thinks eating McDonalds is like eating health food.
Post by PinkSquirrel on Oct 23, 2012 13:12:55 GMT -5
Yes and no. I have a pretty good idea of the nutritional value of most things. The only place I do potentially see it being useful are those times when you think you're eating healthy by getting the salad on the menu, but really you could have gotten something that looks significantly tastier for the same calories. Salads with dressing can be a toss up
Can I ad that most of the places I dine at don't have the calories listed, but I try to eat pretty healthy. I gained about 30 extra pounds in college I lived in a very fun food/drinking town and lost it once I moved. I'm pretty conscious of what I eat.
Not really. I usually order stuff slightly different than how it's listed (no cheese, no dressing, etc) so the calorie count wouldn't be accurate anyway.