How Many Calories Does That Burger Have?

How Many Calories Does That Burger Have?

King County Board of Health will vote on legislation requiring that large chain restaurants make calorie, sodium, fat, and carbohydrate information plainly visible to customers at the point of ordering.

Nearly two-thirds of King County adult residents support requiring nutrition information at chain restaurants. During the past month, eight in 10 surveyed ate at a chain at least once and more than four in 10 ate at a chain at least once a week.

"Right now it's a guessing game how many calories and how much salt, fat, and carbohydrates your favorite fast food menu item contains," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Customers need access to this information at the point of ordering so they can make the choice that is right for them."

The random-digit-dial telephone survey asked a representative sample of 599 King County residents aged 18 and older whether they supported or opposed menu labeling. Sixty-five percent wanted nutrition information at chain restaurants whether or not they regularly ate at these restaurants. Only 12% said they opposed such a requirement. The remaining respondents were neutral or had no opinion.

A second survey of 388 people at local shopping malls and the Seattle Center found that 82% of respondents favored requiring fast food and chain restaurants to post nutrition information on menus or menu boards. People were also asked to pick, among a multiple choice selection, the restaurant item with the highest number of calories. Only one out 388 respondents answered all four questions correctly, and 72 percent of people answered all questions incorrectly.

Questions and answers to the quiz:

1. At Denny's, which breakfast item has the FEWEST number of calories?

 a. Ham & Cheddar Omelet (595 calories)

 b. Country fried steak & eggs (543 calories - the correct answer)

 c. Three slices of French toast with syrup & margarine (1,261 calories).

 d. Three pancakes with syrup & margarine (650 calories)

2. Which item at Dunkin' Donuts has the FEWEST number of calories?

 a. Sesame bagel with cream cheese (570 calories)

 b. Two jelly-filled donuts (420 calories – the correct answer)

 c. Banana walnut muffin (540 calories)

 d. A medium (24 oz.) strawberry banana smoothie (550 calories)

3. Which item at McDonald's has the MOST calories?

 a. A Big Mac (540 calories)

 b. Two Egg McMuffins (600 calories)

 c. A large chocolate shake (1,160 calories – the correct answer)

 d. Four regular hamburgers (1,000 calories)

4. Which item at Subway has the FEWEST number of calories?

 a. Meatball Marinara 6-inch sandwich (560 calories)

 b. Steak & Cheese 6-inch sandwich (400 calories – the correct answer)

 c. Chicken & Bacon Ranch 6-inch sandwich (580 calories)

 d. Tuna 6-inch sandwich (530 calories)