“Never again!” These are the words my friend said to me after our last trip to Whole Foods. I’m sorry, I just love exploring, discovering new products, seeing all the beautiful fresh produce, its amazing. I guess as a registered dietitian I am in the right business. But while I may be quite amusing (and possibly annoying) to watch in a Whole Foods type of setting, I must admit I am observing you right back. What’s in your shopping cart? Do you read labels? Is there a diet theme to your choices? (ie low-carb? low-fat? fiber?) Understanding their eating and purchasing habits helps me become a better nutritionist.
Recently a new law was passed in New York City requiring restaurant chains to list the calorie counts for their menu items. Personally, I think this is amazing! Not only does this law force people to own up to their food choices, it forces the restaurants to really market the healthier options they offer. I hope there is real research being done to determine what if any impact this law is having on the food choices people make, however in the mean time, I have been doing my own research. I have been watching people‘s reactions as they learn that their reduced fat blueberry muffin has 400 calories, a mere savings of 70 calories compared to the full fat one!
I have been talking to the manager at my local Dunkin Donuts and she said many people are angered initially to learn the calorie information of their favorite treat. Personally I feel that the “in your face” disclosure of information is the perfect way to inform people about information they might have never realized. Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely believe there is a place for everything in one’s diet, however Ignorance is NOT bliss. Knowing the number of calories taken in each day helps one remain on track and accountable. But I ask you this, if freedom of information is our given right, does the choice not to know information fall into the same category?
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