Restaurants are fighting it, because it would be "cumbersome" and it wouldn't make a dent in the obesity epidemic?
Oh really?
Or are restaurants afraid of diners finding out just how craptastic the food is? During a recent craving for a burrito (don't ask me where it came from; I almost never eat burritos), I visited Chili's nutrition information online. I couldn't remember if Chili's had burritos. It doesn't. But may I just say: HOLY CRAP! A Mushroom Swiss burger, which I order every once in a while, has 1,100 calories. JUST THE BURGER. WITHOUT THE FRIES. ELEVEN HUNDRED CALORIES. And SEVENTY-ONE grams of fat!
Will I ever order it again? Hell no. Did I have any idea it was that bad for me? Hell no. I knew it wasn't health food, but 1,100 calories? And 71 grams of fat?
If the nutrition information is compiled and published online, it can just as easily be inserted into the back of a menu.
I like junk food as much as the next person (maybe more), but when I know what I'm about to eat, my intellect kicks in and says, "You can't eat that!" Years ago, I wanted a Haagen-Dazs chocolate almond ice cream bar. I walked to the store. I picked up the box. I turned it over. I saw that it contained 28 grams of fat. I put it back. And I haven't eaten one since. It's simply not an option for me.
So hell yeah, seeing the calorie listings in a menu would shape what I ordered. And I think that's exactly what the restaurants are afraid of.
Check out this new offering from Chili's:
Buffalo Chicken Fajitas. One skillet contains 1,090 calories and 76 grams of fat. Not including the tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, or sour cream.
Maybe you'd like to share an Awesome Blossom to start. One Awesome Blossom with Seasoned Sauce contains 2,710 calories and 203 grams of fat. Going to splurge on dessert? A Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream will cost you 1,600 calories.
The nutrition information doesn't list the drinks. So let's presume you're just drinking water, you know, because you want to be good. Half an Awesome Blossom with Sesaoned Sauce, the Buffalo Chicken Fajitas skillet (without all the fixings), and the Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream will set you back 4,042 calories.
FOUR THOUSAND AND FORTY-TWO CALORIES.
IN ONE MEAL.
That's about twice as many calories as most people should eat in an entire day.
And keep in mind that 3,500 calories equals a pound. Eat that meal and you will instantly gain more than a pound, because, let's be honest, you're not about to run a marathon after that meal to burn it off.
Let's just list a few more items, for kicks:
Fajita Chicken Quesadillas - 1,830 calories
Caesar Salad with Chicken & Caesar Dressing - 1,010 calories
Classic Nachos with Pico de Gallo and Sour Cream - 1,450 calories
Ooh, my favorite, the Mashed Potatoes with Black Pepper Gravy - 450 calories (Hey, only 450 calories! Too bad that's for a SIDE DISH!)
Of course, Chili's has the Guiltless Grill for those who want to make healthy choices. The Big Mouth Bun is listed separately. It has, unbuttered, 330 calories. And let's face it: Not many people are going to Chili's to order a Guiltless Black Bean Burger and a side of rice. But if you do, it'll cost you 860 calories.
Yep, I'm thinking restaurants don't want us to know what we're eating.
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