Counting Calories Just Got Easier
Well, at least in New York City, it did.
On January 22nd, the New York City Board of Health voted to require
city restaurant chains to put calorie information on their menus and menu boards.
The new rule goes into effect on March 31st.
It applies to any New York City restaurant chain with at least 15 outlets in the U.S.
With over 50% of New Yorkers considered to be obese, this is another way to help people with weight loss.
It’s well-documented that people who eat fast food regularly tend to eat more calories than people who don’t.
Often, these restaurants put calorie information on their websites or in other obscure places. But if you don’t know where to look or don’t have time to find this information, it won’t do you any good.
The New York law will make counting calories easier by placing the information where it’s easily accessible.
And if you know that your cheeseburger with the works has 1200 calories, you may be inclined to order something that won’t ruin your diet.
It may even make the restaurants rethink their menus and offer some lower-calorie dishes.
Health officials believe that this regulation will decrease the number of obese New York residents by 150,000 in the next five years.
But a spokesman for the New York State Restaurant Association has been quoted as saying that his group may sue over the New York ruling.
I’m all for making this calorie counting information readily available. If you don’t want to use it, that’s your choice.
But for those who are battling obesity, it’s a way to make better choices through effortless calorie counting.
If it works, maybe we’ll get a federal law to make counting calories easier.
Technorati Tags: calorie, calories, counting calories, calorie counting, obesity, weight loss, lose weight, New York City
