by Cynserity Stevens

Created on: March 26, 2009   Last Updated: March 27, 2009

The nutritional value of almost all of the foods we eat is available on a variety of different websites. But how many people do you know that actually go online to check out what they should or shouldn't eat, at a specific restaurant, before they leave the house. Probably not many.

People don't want to think about eating healthy when they are paying someone else to prepare their food for them. When eating out, ignorance really is bliss. If the calories and fat grams of their favorite foods were listed on the menus of their favorite restaurants these people could not claim ignorance and would then have to take responsibility for their poor food choices.

The obesity epidemic is taking over the entire world yet the very people who suffer from obesity are the first that try to stick their head in the sand and hide away from the big bad nutritional data monster.

This is why it should be mandatory that restaurants list the nutritional data for the foods they serve. Incorporating this practice would make the patron responsible for their diet. This practice would eliminate the arguments of all those people who want to blame everyone but themselves for the size of their waist.

Some restaurants, like Red Lobster, have already listed the calories for their foods on their menus. Other restaurants, like Apple-Bees, have a dedicated section of their menu for the people who want healthy eating options. Even Denny's gives a healthy alternative portion in their menus. So why shouldn't every other restaurant follow suit?

I will tell you why I think this practice will meet stiff opposition. I think the industry, as a whole, is against this idea because it could lead to potential bankruptcy for some places.

If you knew that the double portion of chicken fried steak, loaded mashed potatoes with country gravy, cole slaw, and slice of New York style cheese cake, had more calories in it then you are supposed to eat ALL DAY, would you order it?

Some people would. But some people wouldn't, or they would order something less expensive, and forget about dessert all together. Every item that doesn't get ordered or is replaced with a side salad or bowl of soup, is in effect costing the restaurant money.

I am an advocate for the practice of adding the fat and calorie list to restaurant menus, but I also see why the restaurant industry will fight to keep it from being mandatory.

Learn more about this author, Cynserity Stevens.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.