The new law in New York city that requires restaurants with more than 15 locations to list calories for all their dishes is going nationwide. A bill was introduced into Congress which would require restaurants with more than 20 locations to list not only calories, but also fat grams and do so right on the menu, right next to the dish you are thinking of ordering. Oh, it won't stop me from gorging because that is what we as Americans do. We go to a restaurant, gorge on the fattiest damn food we can find, wolf it down in 30 minutes and head on home to the couch to watch some television while we wonder why we are so fat.
Yay America. Seriously, I would not have it any other way, but I do understand that some people don't like being fat. I find a certain freedom in just letting it all go and not worrying about weight or whether I am going to fit into something. Life on this earth is short enough without me trying to eat something I don't enjoy for 30 years to get an extra year or two of life. Yes, there are heart attacks and high blood pressure, but thanks to the medical marvels of the 21st century, I think I can keep right on going. Knock on wood.
Anyway, in case you want to know what some of your favorite dishes are worth in caloric fun, here is a sample. Oh, the article didn't include my favorite example which is the cheese fries at Outback. 3000 calories. I love those things and can eat two entirely by myself and still eat a full meal after. Oh, the Ayers Rock Strip? 60 grams of fat.
Oh, think you would prefer a turkey burger? Healthier right? At Ruby Tuesday's their turkey burger comes in at 1,145 calories and 71 grams of fat. In fact, did you know the average entree at a sit down restaurant has about 30% more calories than a fast food chain like McDonalds and that doesn't even include appetizers or desserts or the free bread or the booze.
Maybe you only go out to eat for breakfast. Well how about this tasty number from Bob Evans. Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes which has 1,540 calories and 77 grams of fat. That is the way to kick start your day. You could have five Egg McMuffins and still not quite approach the number of calories in this dish.
Well what about chicken? Surely that is safe. Ever been to Chili's? Ever got Chili's Honey Chipotle Crispers with Chipotle Sauce? Well if you have you got yourself 2,040 calories and 99 grams of fat. Chili's Awesome Blossom is also home to the appetizer which actually finished slightly ahead of my Outback fries because of the sodium. The Awesome Blossom has 2,710 calories, 203 grams of fat, 194 grams of carbs and 6,360 mg of sodium. And remember it's just an appetizer.
I could go on all day, but seriously, I am hungry even after reading about these. I think they are fun, but they really don't change my eating habits. Instead, I will be looking for the dish that is the worst for you, just to try it. I do love the law though and think it is something that can be used well. It just isn't for me.
Yay America. Seriously, I would not have it any other way, but I do understand that some people don't like being fat. I find a certain freedom in just letting it all go and not worrying about weight or whether I am going to fit into something. Life on this earth is short enough without me trying to eat something I don't enjoy for 30 years to get an extra year or two of life. Yes, there are heart attacks and high blood pressure, but thanks to the medical marvels of the 21st century, I think I can keep right on going. Knock on wood.
Anyway, in case you want to know what some of your favorite dishes are worth in caloric fun, here is a sample. Oh, the article didn't include my favorite example which is the cheese fries at Outback. 3000 calories. I love those things and can eat two entirely by myself and still eat a full meal after. Oh, the Ayers Rock Strip? 60 grams of fat.
Oh, think you would prefer a turkey burger? Healthier right? At Ruby Tuesday's their turkey burger comes in at 1,145 calories and 71 grams of fat. In fact, did you know the average entree at a sit down restaurant has about 30% more calories than a fast food chain like McDonalds and that doesn't even include appetizers or desserts or the free bread or the booze.
Maybe you only go out to eat for breakfast. Well how about this tasty number from Bob Evans. Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes which has 1,540 calories and 77 grams of fat. That is the way to kick start your day. You could have five Egg McMuffins and still not quite approach the number of calories in this dish.
Well what about chicken? Surely that is safe. Ever been to Chili's? Ever got Chili's Honey Chipotle Crispers with Chipotle Sauce? Well if you have you got yourself 2,040 calories and 99 grams of fat. Chili's Awesome Blossom is also home to the appetizer which actually finished slightly ahead of my Outback fries because of the sodium. The Awesome Blossom has 2,710 calories, 203 grams of fat, 194 grams of carbs and 6,360 mg of sodium. And remember it's just an appetizer.
I could go on all day, but seriously, I am hungry even after reading about these. I think they are fun, but they really don't change my eating habits. Instead, I will be looking for the dish that is the worst for you, just to try it. I do love the law though and think it is something that can be used well. It just isn't for me.
oh man, is it sad how most Americans don't know what a health diet is.
ReplyDeleteI think I disagree with this law, but I would agree with a law that stated that nutritional information was available... AVAILABLE.
Not forced down your throat while you're trying to enjoy your "el fredo"
I mean, we're all smart enough to make choices... RIGHT???
It's true it's not going to change anything on the eaters unless health wise they have to change their habits.
ReplyDeleteLike myself my doctor told me my sugar is high which means I am border line to becoming a diabetic. So I've cut down on my sugar alot. In a couple of weeks I will know the verdict. I am also suppose to cut down on some food but haven't really.
Do people really CARE about this information? Those who eat healthy are going to eat healthy even w/o this information. It sure isn't going to change my eating habits. I'll have the bacon cheeseburger w/ extra mayo please.
ReplyDeleteI think it will help. I'm of the what I don't know won't hurt me school. If I'm FORCED to know the fat and calories in Jack-In-The Box bacon double cheeseburger, I might rethink my order.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to think of calories when I'm sucking up the exchaust fumes of the drive-thru at 2:00 a.m. with a beer buzz and a mad craving for onion rings!
lol CALI
ReplyDeletei've been there!
I like the idea. I think a lot of the problem IS pure ignorance. I think many people can hear the word "Turkey" and assume healthy, even if it is wrapped in a donut, deep fried, rolled in powdered sugar and ladled with Velveeta cheese.
ReplyDeletei think people who eat healthy this will help but the fat will just keep getting fatter. they don't want to learn or know whats in the shit then becasue they might have to be held accountable for their fat asses,bad health and early death and the cycle that keeps going with their fat kids...
ReplyDeleteignorance is bliss.
@Sylvia:
ReplyDeleteIf they say you're borderline diabetic, it's not just the sugar. Been there done that. It's about the glycemic content of the food you eat - which basically means if your average meal is potatoes, bread, pasta, etc...you are STILL going to read high.
It's too bad people don't know enough about the triggers for diabetes. Most (albeit overweight) borderline diabetics have a terrible diet, mostly processed foods like I mentioned. Once you can wean off that, generally the sugar readings will drop substantially.
BTW, I'm not saying you haven't taken this into consideration. Just like to educate when I see the opps. Good luck with the re-testing, and grill your MD about the glycemic index cause and effect. If he/she doesn't know about it, find another MD who does. Diabetes is BAD NEWS.
Sorry for the hijack. It's kind of related though...or not, whatevs.
OMG. I want those cheese fries.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't deter *everyone* but if I saw an order of fries was 3,000 calories then I wouldn't order the fries. I already know that fries are not health food, but 3,000 calories? Yikes.
ReplyDeleteI would welcome the nutritional info being printed on menus. It'd force a lot of restaurants to offer healthier options as well.
elsie - I do love my pasta and potato. I haven't had pasta for a couple of weeks but have eaten potato like twice a week. Guess I need to be careful wtih that too.
ReplyDeleteElsie - is their a diet to use that will help.
ReplyDeleteEat the turkey burger but you'll save a shitload of calories and carbs if you simply remove those huge hunks of bread.
ReplyDeleteI'm for this new law, but I have to say that it does shame me when I'm standing in line at Starbucks or Chipotle. Now every extra large burrito comes with a free side of guilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is just what the hell they're doing to the food to make it THAT calorific in the first place? I keep flashing back to a wonderful line in one of Jill Conner Browne's Sweet Potato Queens books where she describes how her elderly mother (who lives w/her) will load up on crap junk food whenever Jill is out of town, in spite of the latter leaving plenty of healthy food cooked & ready for the microwave--Jill took a look at the nutritional content panel on one box and came to the conclusion that "Lard is not THAT fattening!" Really, we know that ranch dressing & cheese are high-fat, and french fries are fatty to begin with, but WTF are they doing to them to get the fat & calorie equivalent of 14 Krispy Kreme donuts?!?
ReplyDeletesylvia, i'm know expert, but my mom and my cat are diabetic (and the cat is insulin dependent!)-- just lean towards proteins. and if you are borderline, you have to keep it up. i know my mom eats everything, but just little bits. she doesn't eat well enough (good enough?) or enough, period. but hang in there.
ReplyDeleteme? listen girls, believe it or not, i have to brag. i've been on medifast since last monday, and i've lost 10 freaking pounds!!!!!!!! and talk about low carb....
no, i'm not selling the shit, but damn, it works!
I actually like this idea. When I go out to eat, I typically try to choose healthy food, but sometimes even the things that seem like healthy choices are not (McDonald's salads for example). This will be very helpful for me. If I see that something is really bad for me, I don't want it anymore.
ReplyDeletei think it depends how often you eat out/ffoods. 80/90% good nutrition [prob at home] & 10/20% resturant [go for broke] is okay.
ReplyDeleteent, i dont post much but wanna tell you to stay safe. we want you around & feeling good for a looonnng time, ok??
Bionic Bunny - Please elaborate. How does the food taste and how about
ReplyDeleteusing Medifast for say a 15 pound weight loss? You've got my attention with your success.
High-protein, no carb to low carb helps lose fat while maintaining muscle, but it really is not good for one's heart if you do it excessively.
ReplyDeleteI try to eat 100+ grams of protein daily, but it isn't easy.
Exercise really helps.
Sugar free things actually make you fatter like diet coke. Only drink water and tea.
Eat a lot of fiber, that is actually the trick to "dieting." Brown rice, sweet potato, whole wheat carbs.
Skinny people who consume a lot of food poo several times a day.
Only rednecks eat this kind of shit. Rednecks and Shittany Spears, that is.
ReplyDeleteThis is what shocked me most when I was in the USA on my holidays, how people really seem to go out to eat and then leave the restaurant after like 30 minutes. I don't even do that during my lunchbreak. I we go out to eat, it means that you go to a restaurant and stay there for 2 or 3 hours, enjoying your food while talking to the people you're with.
ReplyDelete@Sylvia: When I was looking for a way to cut my sugar, there wasn't much out there. A French fellow by the name of Michel Montignac was the "guru" who was basically touting the glycemic index as the way French people eat, and the proof is the fact they can eat whatever and stay skinny. I followed that for a year, and it made a tremendous impact. The best part about his book is that he lists the glycemic content of the most popular foods. High=bad, like beer (doh!), fries (potatoes), etc. You'd be surprised too, as corn and peas have a fairly high index.
ReplyDeleteThe closest North American "diet" (I prefer to call it modification) that follows this same path is the South Beach program. It really does work in reducing your glycemic count, and the bonus is you can lose a lot of weight. There are three stages to it, and I am now following the maintenance part. I keep healthy, I do eat carbs but the "right" ones, and you can indulge as long as you don't fall back into the old habits.
And man, I do love my Guiness, so there's my indulgence. Hee.
Outback's cheese fries are my favorite. I only eat them on my birthday. If you can't splurge on your birthday, then what's the good of getting another year older? :)
ReplyDeletesheetrock-
ReplyDeletei saw a review somewhere, a gal had hit a plateau and tried medifast and last 5lbs in a week.
personally, so far, i love all the sweet foods (shakes, puddings, bars), the white cheese soy crackers, the powdered eggs are okay, you need to micro them less time than recommended, or maybe fry. the oatmeal is super bland and the tomato soup yuck. chicken noodle bland.
i've got more stuff ordered, but check their website so i don't hijack too much here. i had a bit of a low sugar dip on the third day which was a little frightening (i'm not diabetic, but dizzy is dizzy) but once you've been on a few days, you're not hungry, REALLY. and i've got two other people eating all kinds of stuff in the house! i said i could do anything for two weeks, which was my original intent. i can REALLY do anything if i'm actually losing. i've used nutri-system, jenny craig, weight watchers, and this has been the best for me, loss and cost wise. remember, i can't exercise-- and they don't even push exercise at first.
i'd tell you more if i could email, but go to the site, it's really very cut and dried.
one caveat: shipping is expensive and takes forever. don't bother paying extra shipping, it doesn't help. i think phoning in helps some.
hope that helps!!
I've lost 16 lbs without dieting or exercise since Jan. Want to know how? I simply cut back on the AMOUNT of food I was eating, and stopped eating the minute I no longer felt hunger - even if it meant I still had 1/2 a plate of food left. I listen to my body's cues: if I think I feel hungry, I'll drink water first to see if perhaps I'm actually thirsty (your body can confuse thirst and hunger). Now that the weather is finally warm and sunny, I plan on riding my bike and doing some walking when the mood hits.
ReplyDeleteI sit at a desk all day long and then come home and do normal household stuff and I'm too broke for a gym or fad diets. I've just changed my lifestyle and I feel great. Oh, and I still eat the bacon cheeseburgers, fries, etc., I just don't stuff myself to the point of over-fullness. A few bites and I'm done!
Try it!
I clicked on this link thinking I'd find something about bacon wrapped french fries covered in caramel sauce. I am disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think that I would give pause to ordering something that was 3,000 calories, but I am actively trying to trim the waistline. I exercise for about 2.5 hours a week (not enough, I know) and I watch what I eat, somewhat. I recently ate a 2,800 calorie meal for dinner from Burger King, so you can see I'm not trying so hard. I am of the thought where you eat what you want (within reason), exercise and watch how your clothing fits. In my case, I need an entirely new summer wardrobe!
Err, I mean that to mean, all my clothes are too big, not too small ;)
ReplyDelete