by Anne Taylor

Created on: September 29, 2007

Calories on restaurant menus? Why don't we just include a picture of the cow, before the hamburger? Come on people. I will be the first to admit, I appreciate the health departments that insure the restaurant I dine in has passed certain city requirements to serve food. However, I have a hard time seeing the value of government regulated calorie and fat content posted on a menu.

When I dine out, I am rewarding myself. I do not care how many calories are in my steak, and I know I will be eating more fat in that one meal, than I normally do in a week. If a zealot must know the fats and carbs on the menu, let them look it up on the company website, just do not interfere with my daydreaming as I gaze over the selections on the menu. This is my time to be nice to myself, do not dampen my spirits by explaining to me that the side I want has enough calories to fuel a Ford F-150.

All right, I understand calories and fat play a major part in my health. Nevertheless, it does not have to predominate my life 24/7. Moreover, I am not so clueless to believe I could live on fast food and never gain an ounce. However, if we require restaurants to publish calories and fat content on their menus, they will get back at us.

Oh yes they will, I can see it now. It may only be a few cents on each item, but they will make us pay. Think of all the additional paper required due to more text in their menus, you think they will just absorb the cost. Fat chance. No, we will somehow have to pay the piper for this increased knowledge, knowledge that 90% of us do not want to know.

No, I prefer to remain ignorant, oblivious to the damage I will be causing my arteries, at least for tonight. If I really wanted an idea of how many calories I intend to consume at Arby's, I can look it up on the internet. Otherwise, stop drooling on my menu and get your own!

Learn more about this author, Anne Taylor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.