How is McDonalds Improving Its Menu? Let Us Calorie Count the Ways...

The company will soon include calorie listings on its menus thanks (probably) to Obamacare

Mickey D's, better known by its church name, McDonalds, is attempting to score some health-conscious credibility by including calorie counts on all its in-store and drive-thru menus.

TIME reports that the move is part of the restaurant's general goal of moving away from fatty, less healthy items like chicken nuggets and toward more fruits and veggies. But however noble the move may seem, it actually anticipates a rule under Obamacare stipulating that restaurants with more than 20 locations must post calorie listings on their menus. Seen from this angle, the decision is merely prudent.

Indeed, according to watchdog group Corporate Accountability International, McDonalds has resisted posting calorie content on menus in many more local jurisdictions, writes AP's Candice Choi. Attempts to get McDonalds to include such information in its restaurants has been relatively less difficult overseas, however. Choi notes that it's now a common practice of the chain in Australia, the UK, and South Korea.

Via TIME and The Associated Press.

Should fast food restaurants be required to post their calorie counts?

[AceLuby]

Most definitely, helps people make better decisions for those that want to and for those that want to ignore it, it doesn't matter.

[seedtick]

How about Uncle Buck's quick burger in Timbucktoo? Hell, he doesn't even understand the calorie thing. Hopefully this is for the big chains only. In any case this is just more regulation.

[Wilberhum]

Didn't you read? Uncle Buck's quick burger in Timbucktoo doesn't need to worried until he opens his 20 restaurant.

[seedtick]

@Wilberhum I probably should have read the whole thing. But, I am so sick of the piles of regulations being handed down lately that I damned near oppose anything I hear happening during this administration.

[Wilberhum]

@seedtick So you like the deregulation that were a major factor of our current economic recession ?

[AceLuby]

Regulation is not inherently bad, we've been regulating since the 1700's.

[seedtick]

@Wilberhum No, I am against not enforcing existing regulation and creating your own new regulation everytime something goes wrong. Just like immigration, If you don't enforce existing laws you cannot bitch when things don't go as you wish. If they wanted to regulate something, it should have been Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the main causes of the financial crisis to begin with...that and the investment rules forced upon investment bankers concerning these two bloated entities.

[anarchomoney]

No. There should be no nanny state regulations. Companies listen to consumers. If you don't like it, shop elsewhere. Customers end up paying for regulations via higher prices

[Tolles K]

Banning cup sizes or restricting choice is one thing -- but required listing of calories is in the same spirit of giving consumers more choices. Seems to me that the government *is* in the business of regulations of this type -- we've had ingredient listings on packages for decades.

[anarchomoney]

@Tolles if you eat healthy you don't need to know the calories. People just want to not feel guilty for chomping down mcdoubles..... "oh only 3-4 hundred calories" but not every calorie is equal.

[Lorth]

Nothin noble about it - a lot of people are becoming more aware of how important the food they eat is - McDonalds is simply trying to keep its share of the food business. A good business decision - probably so.

[Keyjo]

Yes, they should.
Most people have absolutely NO idea of how many calories they consume daily. Often times it's just a handful of chips here, a few fries there, half a slice of cake here AND there.
Equally bad, most people have no idea of how many calories they DO NOT burn daily.
This is one reason we have become one of the most unhealthy, fat and ugly nations in the world.

[CanisCanemEdit]

LOL!!! Anyone going into a McDonalds for a Healthy Diet is an idiot. Gimmie a big, damn greasy burger and a chocolate shake!

[Decent-Dissent]

If your eating fast food, you arent expecting much from your body to begin with.

[CanisCanemEdit]

The problem with most city folks is that the "Fast Food" was supposed to be an occasional treat or a break for mom.

Now it's become a staple diet.

You are what you eat, after all.

[Decent-Dissent]

@CanisCanemEdit
'Murrca.
No, i will not get out of my vehicle to have a meal. Id rather yell at this metal box than deal with a person. I will spill french fries in my floor board and not clean them up until i drop my phone some day.
With liberty and justice for all

[CanisCanemEdit]

@Decent-Dissent -

I belch alliegence, to the bag,

of the Fast Food King of America!

And to the recyling hints, on printed wraps,

One burger, under the heat lamps,

Sold individually,

With pickles and catsup, to go.

Awww...man.

[Decent-Dissent]

@CanisCanemEdit
Impressive

[CanisCanemEdit]

@Decent-Dissent -

Lol! Once in a great while, friend. Once in a great while.

[Wilberhum]

I like the idea. I'm one who never use to think of calories, now I do. I look forward to the change. Thank you ACA.

[Jack-Black]

This is not rocket science folks. Any moron knows that a big mac meal ( Mac, Lg. Fries, and lg coke) has over 1,000 calories. Just another example of the Nanny state. Take it little by little until we wake up and all our freedoms are flushed down the drain

[AceLuby]

See... even you don't know what's going on. The meal you just described is nearly 2,000 calories. This is no more of a nanny state then requiring food you buy at the grocery store to have nutritional information. This is so consumers can make more informed decisions, period.

[Jack-Black]

@AceLuby( sheep) last time i checked almost 2,000 calories is over a 1,000 calories.

[AceLuby]

@Jack-Black It's a half day worth of calories difference

[Stratton]

I am under the impression that the calorie content of McDonalds' menu items has been widely available for many years, even if it is not listed directly on the menu. Believe it or not, not every American counts calories, and those that do should know better than to expect anything at a McDonald's to be low-calorie.

[Fishbone345]

This disappoints me. We need more fatties. Eat more America!! Don't listen to these people!
I'm a Healthcare worker and I approve this message.

[DrMoonshine]

People are clueless. Be careful! Hot coffee is HOT and it might even burn you! What's next? Do not sip soda with straw through your nose?

[MongoAPillager]

they should only have to set food values by choice,costumers choice.i,m an adult,i don't need Michelle dictating (Shes the food Czar right?)my eating habits.i have a pretty good idea that when i go there i'm taking minutes of my life

[MongoAPillager]

@edindav i may not be the sharpest tool in the shed,but i,m smart enough not to need a nanny,if you need a a calorie counter to know if something is healthy you may need a little sharpening.P.S. i,ll give you a Nanny sympathy Vote Up

[Chomsky0]

No. If people are dumb enough to eat this dog food, then why do they care how many calories are they eating? It seems like to me if you eat at these dog food restaurants you don't care about calories.

[Chomsky0]

This is merely a step up to the dystopian future of ordering the "423 calorie meal" instead of looking at what the food actually is. Solent green anyone?

[FollowTheMoney]

They should, but not required by law. If the consumer demands it, that's one thing, but that's not the governments purpose.

[efittery]

YES - YES - YES

[isis2012]

If want you to improve McDonald's menu, then don't eat there. McDonald's ain't your mama or your doctor!