Menu’s Containing Calorie Numbers Really Seem to Work

Technomic, Inc is a foodservice consultant company that has just completed a survey on the use of menus with calorie-labeled choices. New York City introduced these menu changes amid skepticism that they would make any difference to customer’s choices. However, the predictions were wrong, as explained in a press release by Technomic.

Over 85% of New York restaurant-goers were surprised by the listing of the calorie content of the food dishes, and 90% of them stated that the calories counts were higher than they had expected. Asked if their menu choice was influenced by the calorie count shown, 82% said “yes”. And 60% of respondents said it influenced which restaurants they would visit. The researchers said they found a good measure of support for the innovation.

For years, everyone has been telling us that the best way to fight obesity is to reduce food intake, especially calories. Now the way to do this when eating out is at hand, at least in some places. It’s up to us to take advantage of it.