by Allie Sivak ’11

Stumbling into Starbucks in their usual early-morning daze, ardent coffee drinkers may get a bit of a surprise that is sure to give them a jolt before even taking a sip of their steaming cup of java. With a simple glance at the menu on the wall, it appears that a favorite latte contains more than a quarter of the daily recommended calories suggested for one day.

The American Heart Association recommends caloric intakes of approximately 2,000 calories for the average young person. Just a short while ago, it was easy to go about ordering a grande White Chocolate Mocha without a clue it contained 470 creamy, yet indulgent calories. However, with the signing of his comprehensive health care legislation last March, President Obama has made it a requirement for all large restaurant chains, with 20 or more locations, to post the nutritional value of the food they serve on the menu or any posters and drive-thru signs visible in the restaurant. Restaurants must also have the recommended daily nutritional values for the average health individual posted and be ready to provide additional nutritional information, such as fat and sugar content, if requested by customers.

This legislation first went into effect in New York in the spring of 2008, in efforts to fight obesity and see if the requirement would really affect what those in the Big Apple were munching on. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 34 percent of Americans age 20 or older are considered obese. When it comes to teenagers, 18 percent of Americans between the ages of 12 to 19 are classified as obese. Obama’s new health care plan and proposed strict crackdown on restaurants who fail to display nutritional information is aimed at shedding the nation’s excess pounds, especially when it comes to its youth. Consequently, restaurants nationwide are gradually following the lead of places like New York, and are beginning to post their sometimes excessive calorie counts for all to see.

Students who commonly indulge in a hearty Chipotle burrito after school may be surprised to find out that their mid-day snack likely contains anywhere from 600-1,600 calories depending on what fixings they order.

“I like to know what goes into the food that I’m eating,” said senior KC Emerson, an active athlete who prefers to keep herself as healthy as possible so she can feel good and excel in the sports she plays. “Seeing the calorie listings on menus really impacts what I order. When I go to Chipotle, I try to order less of the unhealthy things like rice, sour cream and cheese.”

However, walking into any Starbucks or fast-food chain around, it is clear that the new nutrition postings are not causing business to plummet, and consumers certainly aren’t boycotting restaurants after discovering the nutritional drawbacks of the food they serve. While some individuals like Emerson see this new requirement as a helpful tool in deciding what and where to order, others still go for their favorite foods when eating out, regardless of the strikingly large numbers posted on the menu board.

Senior Ray Fanara ignores the calorie postings, knowing he will simply order the same food anyway. “I see how many calories are in the food but I’m still going to order it anyway because it tastes so good and I’m hungry,” he said.

It has yet to be seen whether the nutrition postings in restaurants have a huge impact on consumer health or how Americans choose to eat out, as the regulation is early in its implementation. However, whether or not individuals choose to pay attention to the nutritional postings that have recently been phased into their local restaurants, making calorie counts readily available to customers will give them access to knowledge about just what they are eating.