[Updated May 4, 2018]
By May 5, 2017, restaurants with at least 20 locations must list calories on print menus and menu boards. Calories should appear next to the name or price of regularly-offered foods and drinks – and in a matching type size.
“This is new information, so it may take a while to sink into people’s consciousness,” says Susan B. Roberts, PhD, director of Tufts’ HNRCA Energy Metabolism Laboratory. “Try to check calories each time you eat out.” Use these tips.
Dreamstime.com
1. Consider Your Daily Calorie Needs When Eating Out
“If your entre has 1,500 calories and you want to stick to 500 per meal, ask your server to box up ⁄3 of it before bringing your plate,” Roberts says. Consult the calorie requirement chart at right.
2. Understand the Calorie Labelling
If an item has two variations (such as flavors) with different calories, a listing such as “Cal. 350/425” is permitted. If there are three or more variations, such as for side options, a listing such as “Cal. 400-600” is allowed. If it’s unclear which items are at the low or high end of the calories, ask. Different sizes of the same item require separate listings.
3. Compare Calories Across Restaurants
Tufts’ HNRCA research showed calories of similar items sometimes differed a lot among three fast-food chains. For example, a small order of French fries at one chain had 110 more calories than at another chain.
4. Ask for Sugar, Sodium and Fat Levels Too
Restaurants covered by the FDA calorie ruling have to provide additional nutrition information, such as saturated fat, sodium and sugars, upon request. Ask where to find these details in the restaurant.
“Since some restaurants aren’t affected by the new regulation, don’t be afraid to push the envelope,” Roberts says. “Let local restaurant owners know you’d love to see calories on menus.”
To learn more: Calorie Labeling on Restaurant Menus and Vending Machines