A Big Mac has 550 calories. Add a medium Coke and fries and you're well over 1,000 calories for one meal, more than half the calories recommended for women daily and almost half of what's recommended for men.
But will knowing that a sausage biscuit with egg is 510 calories change what you order? McDonald's restaurants in McHenry County — including in Huntley, Algonquin and Crystal Lake — and across the nation began posting calorie counts on its menu boards last week, well in advance of federal requirements for restaurant chains with more than 20 locations.
Some chains, such as Panera Bread have been posting calorie counts on menu boards for years. New York City and Philadelphia require them, according to the New York Times.
But the Times also said studies have shown that posting calories counts on menus doesn't appear to have a significant impact on what people choose to eat.
Will you order small fries instead of large, knowing that you'll save 270 calories? Take our poll and tell us in the comments.
Anitra Willis
8:29 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I know it swayed my decision when ordering just an iced coffee. I'm very happy to see that McD's is leading the way. Thanks!!
Max
9:03 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Absolutely, knowing calories will at least help those that WANT to manage their eating habits better. Let's say I'm a 5' 10" male who is trying to lose a few pounds. My daily calories would be roughly 2500. So eating a big mac meal would cost me almost half my daily calories so I know I need to go easy the rest of the day.
Max
9:18 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Where this gets really helpful is in meals people don't think have a lot of calories. A regular portion of pad thai at Noodles & Co has more calories than a big mac. Applebee's chicken pasta broccoli alfredo has more calories than TWO big macs. A Domino's 14" sausage pizza has more calories than 4 1/2 big macs.
Tim
9:43 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Why is this even necessary? If you are eating in a fast food establishment then you are eating unhealthy. Max, one would need to consume a lot than 2500 cals. to lose weight. It's not so much the calories that people should be concerned about, it's the all the other junk ingredients and sodium that will cause the most harm. Try picking up a fruit or a vegetable. It's mind blowing to hear people complain about how they can't lose weight and how hard they are trying when they can't seem to push the plate away, buy crap food from the grocery store, drink "diet" sodas, go to chain restaurants and eat out all the time. try this...go to a farmers market or spend more time in the produce aisle buy some veggies and fruits, make your own dinners and stop being so lazy. Turn off the tv, video games and put away the laptop, go outside and walk. Very few people have conditions that make them obese and overweight, stop being lazy, stop being fat Americans. use common sense, it will be hard no doubt but it can be done. Stop the surgeries as a quick fix, go into it knowing it may take a whole year if you are that large. If sugar was just discovered today it would be an illegal substance, just as addicting as any illicit drug.
Max
9:56 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
These aren't mutually exclusive. It's OK to know how many calories are in a meal and still exercise, eat healthier, etc. BTW, calories definitely are one of the important things people should be concerned about. Yeah, you can compare the calories of a twinkie vs. calories from a carrot but as I mentioned above, there are loads of calories in foods we eat at restaurants, not just fast food.